This Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is a delicious combination of juicy chicken, wholesome wild rice, and a mixture of colorful vegetables, all simmered in a rich, creamy broth. Plus, it features an incredible mix of textures, as the softness of the potatoes perfectly compliments the crunch of the carrots and celery.
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Chicken and wild rice soup is a comforting, hearty soup perfect for those cozy evenings at home. It is a well-rounded meal, packed with protein from the chicken, fiber from the wild rice, and essential nutrients from the vegetables. The heavy cream gives it a delightful creaminess that elevates the soup to a new level.
What makes this recipe special is its simplicity and versatility. You can easily adjust the ingredients according to your preference. Want it gluten-free? Swap the regular flour with a gluten-free variety. Need a vegetarian option? Substitute the chicken broth with vegetable stock. This soup is a delightful canvas for experimenting with different flavors and ingredients.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Family Favorite: With ingredients like chicken breasts, sweet potato, and a savory blend of herbs, including dried thyme and bay leaves, this soup is a crowd-pleaser. It is comforting flavors are loved by both kids and adults, making it a family favorite.
Vibrant and Versatile: This recipe is adaptable and versatile. You can easily substitute the chicken thighs with chicken breasts or even make it gluten-free. Plus, the colorful array of vegetables not only adds to the soup's visual appeal but also its nutritional profile.
Delicious: The combination of the savory chicken broth, the creaminess from the heavy cream, and the unique flavor of the wild rice blend creates a soup that is simply delicious. The added seasoning packet gives it an extra layer of flavor, making it a soup you'll want to make again and again.
Key Ingredients
All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this chicken and wild rice soup recipe at home. Let's look at them in more detail:
- Potatoes: These will form the hearty, starchy backbone of your soup. They'll soften during cooking, adding thickness to the soup and making it more filling.
- Carrot: Carrots add a touch of sweetness to the soup, as well as contributing to its vibrant color. They'll also soften during cooking, blending seamlessly into the soup's texture.
- Celery: This classic soup ingredient imparts a subtle aromatic flavor, complimenting the other ingredients and contributing to the overall depth of flavor.
- Mushrooms: Adding a unique, earthy flavor, mushrooms also provide a meaty texture that makes this soup even more hearty and satisfying.
- Yellow Onion: Onions are essential for building flavor in any soup. They'll caramelize and soften, providing a sweet and savory background note.
- Garlic: Garlic adds a pungent, aromatic flavor that infuses the entire soup, making it incredibly savory and delicious.
- Chicken Breast: This lean protein will be cooked and shredded, adding a substantial, meaty element to the soup. It is also a great source of protein.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: This ingredient adds a rich, creamy element to the soup, making it incredibly satisfying. It also helps to balance the flavors and make the soup smoother.
- Chicken Bouillon Paste: This concentrated flavor booster enhances the chicken flavor in your soup, making it even more savory and delicious.
- Wild Rice with Seasoning: This ingredient not only adds texture and flavor to your soup but also boosts its nutritional content with fiber and other nutrients. The included seasoning packet enhances the flavor even more.
- Mrs Dash Seasoning: This salt-free seasoning blend adds a burst of flavor without adding extra sodium, making your soup flavorful and heart-healthy.
- Salt and Pepper: These classic seasonings are crucial for bringing out the flavors of the other ingredients. You can adjust them to taste, making your soup as mild or as flavorful as you like.
How to Make Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Making this incredible chicken and wild rice soup is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:
How to Prep and Cook the Chicken
Start by taking your chicken breasts and cutting them into small, bite-sized pieces. Once you've done that, season the chicken with salt and pepper to your personal preference.
To cook the chicken, add a little bit of olive oil to a saucepan and place it over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces and cook them until they turn a beautiful golden brown color on both sides.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, set it aside for later use.
How to Make the Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Next, peel and dice your sweet potato into small chunks. Do the same with your carrots, and slice your celery into thin pieces.
Add these vegetables, along with the cooked chicken, to a large pot filled with boiling water. Season the mixture with salt to enhance the flavor.
To add depth to the flavor of your soup, toss a few bay leaves into the pot. Reduce the heat to low or medium and allow everything to simmer for about five minutes. This will help the flavors infuse together.
While the soup is simmering, start to sauté your mushrooms in a saucepan. Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the pan, seasoning the mixture with your favorite herbs.
For this recipe, I recommend using Mrs. Dash seasoning, the seasoning packet that came with your wild rice blend, chicken bouillon paste, and additional salt and pepper to taste. Continue to sauté these ingredients together for a few more minutes over medium-high heat.
Transfer the sautéed mushroom mixture into the pot with the simmering vegetables and chicken.
Let it simmer for a few more minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Then, pour in heavy cream and add the wild rice blend to the pot, letting it simmer for about 5 more minutes. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if necessary.
Switch off the stove and let the rice simmer in the hot soup. This will allow the rice to cook and absorb the delicious flavors of the soup.
Allow the soup to sit for about an hour before serving. This will let the flavors develop even further, resulting in a rich, hearty soup that's sure to satisfy.
Your homemade chicken and wild rice soup is ready!
For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Recipe Tips
Season the chicken well: Don't forget to season your chicken breasts with salt and pepper before browning them in the frying pan. This will give the chicken a delicious flavor and a nice golden-brown crust.
Use fresh vegetables: Using fresh ingredients like carrots, celery, and onion can make a big difference in the flavor of your wild rice soup. They add a depth of flavor that you can't get from canned or frozen vegetables.
Let the soup rest: After cooking, let your soup sit for an hour before serving. This allows the wild rice to absorb the flavors of the soup, making it even more delicious.
Adjust seasoning to taste: Always taste your soup before serving and adjust the seasoning if needed. Adding a bit more salt or pepper at the end can really make the flavors pop.
Use a heavy cream for a rich texture: Adding heavy cream to your soup gives it a rich, creamy texture. It is a small addition that makes a big difference in the overall taste and feel of the soup.
Substitutions and Variations
This delicious creamy chicken wild rice soup recipe is perfect as is, but if you're looking to change things up, here are a few variation ideas you can try:
Go gluten-free: If you're following a gluten-free diet, this variation is perfect for you. Replace the regular wild rice blend with a gluten-free long grain wild rice blend. This variation keeps the hearty flavor of the soup while cutting out gluten.
Add some sweetness: For a unique twist to this wild rice soup recipe, try adding a diced sweet potato to the vegetable mixture. The sweet potato adds a touch of sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the savory chicken and herbs.
Try it vegetarian: If you're a vegetarian or simply want to cut down on meat, this variation is for you. Substitute the chicken stock with vegetable broth and the chicken breasts with a mix of cauliflower and broccoli. You'll still get a hearty soup, but with fewer calories and more fiber.
Serving Suggestions
- For a hearty lunch, serve this wild rice soup recipe alongside a slice of crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth. The bread provides a delightful crunch, contrasting the soft textures of the soup.
- Need a dinner idea? Pair this chicken and wild rice soup with a fresh green salad. The crisp, refreshing salad balances the rich, creamy soup, creating a satisfying, well-rounded meal.
- If you're serving this soup for a group, consider setting up a soup bar. Provide bowls of shredded cheese, chopped herbs, and a variety of seasonings so guests can customize their soup to their liking.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use any type of shredded chicken for this recipe. Both chicken breasts and chicken thighs work for this recipe. Cook the chicken thoroughly and shred it into small chunks using two forks.
Yes, this recipe can be made gluten-free. Just make sure that the chicken broth and the wild rice blend you use are both gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients, including vegetables and herbs, are naturally gluten-free.
If you don't have a seasoning packet for the wild rice, you can make your seasoning. Use dried thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Adjust the flavors to your taste.
Absolutely! You can add other veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, or sweet potato to this soup. Just make sure to chop them into small pieces and add them to the saucepan along with the other ingredients.
If you prefer a thicker soup, you can whisk together some cornstarch and water in a small bowl, then stir this cornstarch slurry mixture into the soup. Let it simmer for a few more minutes until the soup thickens to your liking.
How to Store Leftovers
After enjoying a hearty meal of chicken and wild rice soup, you'll likely have some leftovers. But don't worry, storing this delicious dish is a breeze.
Firstly, allow the soup to cool completely. Then, transfer it into airtight containers and pop them into the refrigerator. The soup will keep well for about four to five days.
To reheat, place your soup in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir the soup occasionally until it is heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but be sure to stir it halfway through to guarantee even reheating.
I don’t recommend storing this soup in the freezer since the consistency and textures of the ingredients will change a lot, and it won’t be as fresh. I recommend making it fresh and storing it in the fridge.
Recipe Card
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup (Comforting and Easy Recipe)
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- 4 medium yellow or red potatoes
- 3 - bay leaves
- 1 large carrot
- 2 stalls celery
- 16 oz. mushrooms
- ¼ yellow onion
- 3 large garlic clove
- 1 chicken breast
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp. organic chicken bouillon paste
- 1 pack of wild rice with seasoning
- 1 tsp. Mrs. Dash seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
How to Prep and Cook the Chicken
- Start by taking your chicken breasts and cutting them into small, bite-sized pieces. Once you've done that, season the chicken with salt and pepper to your personal preference.
- To cook the chicken, add a little bit of olive oil to a saucepan and place it over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces and cook them until they turn a beautiful golden brown color on both sides.
- Once the chicken is fully cooked, set it aside for later use.
How to Make the Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- Next, peel and dice your sweet potato into small chunks. Do the same with your carrots, and slice your celery into thin pieces.
- Add these vegetables, along with the cooked chicken, to a large pot filled with boiling water. Season the mixture with salt to enhance the flavor.
- To add depth to the flavor of your soup, toss a few bay leaves into the pot. Reduce the heat to low or medium and allow everything to simmer for about five minutes. This will help the flavors infuse together.
- While the soup is simmering, start to sauté your mushrooms in another saucepan. Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the pan, seasoning the mixture with your favorite herbs.
- For this recipe, I recommend using Mrs. Dash seasoning, the seasoning packet that came with your wild rice blend, and additional salt chicken bouillon paste, and
- pepper to taste. Continue to sauté these ingredients together for a few more minutes over medium-high heat.
- Transfer the sautéed mushroom mixture into the pot with the simmering vegetables and chicken.
- Let it simmer for a few more minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Then, pour in heavy cream and add the wild rice blend to the pot, letting it simmer for about 5 more minutes. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if necessary.
- Switch off the stove and let the rice simmer in the hot soup. This will allow the rice to cook and absorb the delicious flavors of the soup.
- Allow the soup to sit for about an hour before serving. This will let the flavors develop even further, resulting in a rich, hearty soup that's sure to satisfy.
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