Chicken Wild Rice Soup
on Apr 16, 2024
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This warm, savory, and flavorful soup is made with simple ingredients that come together effortlessly! Perfect for a chilly day, Chicken Wild Rice Soup is sure to become one of your new favorites.
Sometimes all you need is a bowl of chicken wild rice soup to warm up your body and soul! If you are looking for a hearty and simple dinner, then you’re in the right place. The classic flavors of carrots, celery, wild rice, and chicken blend together seamlessly as they simmer in chicken broth.
Although it might seem complicated, it’s amazing how simple this recipe is to follow. You’ll only need a few minutes to prepare the ingredients before the soup simmers on the stovetop. This soup can also be easily customized with added flavor by tossing in onions, extra seasoning, or kale. However you prepare it, you can never go wrong with a classic chicken and wild rice soup!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Has a depth of warm, earthy flavors that complement each other beautifully.
- Is an easy to follow recipe that will give you crowd pleasing results.
- Is the perfect comfort food for a sick or rainy day.
Recipe Ingredients
- Diced Chicken—Cooked. You can also use turkey if you have it on hand.
- Chicken Broth—Serves as a savory base for the soup.
- Wild Rice—Can be found at most major grocery stores with the rest of the dry rice and beans.
- Heavy Whipping Cream—To make the soup thick and creamy.
- All-Purpose Flour—Helps cook your vegetables and serves an additional thickener.
- Salted Butter—For cooking your carrots and celery.
- Carrots & Celery—Diced. You can use either full size or baby carrots.
- Spices—Equal parts of garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Season to your liking.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Step #1. Melt your butter in a large pot. Once the butter is melted, add your veggies. Allow the veggies to cook until soft.
Step #2. Add the flour and spices to the pot. Use a large spoon to stir the ingredients until the veggies are evenly coated in the spices and flour.
Step #3. Add the chicken broth and wild rice. Bring the broth to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot with a lid and allow the soup to simmer until it has thickened.
Step #4. Stir in the heavy cream. Allow the soup to continue to cook without the lid. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
The difference between wild rice and other kinds of rice lies mostly within the texture and taste. Wild rice grains are long, slender, and can vary in color. When cooked, it is slightly chewy with a rich earthy taste. Additionally wild rice has the highest amount of protein and fiber compared to other rice, so it will help you stay full. In this recipe, the wild rice adds a comforting and wholesome flavor.
Nope! You will use uncooked rice, and I highly recommend you stick to that as much as possible. Once the broth and rice are added, the rice will cook in the broth giving you an added depth of flavor. If the rice is already cooked before adding it, it won’t absorb the broth well, so you will risk soggy rice and a watery soup.
If you notice your soup is looking watery once you add everything in, don’t worry because it will naturally thicken as it simmers on the stovetop! As you allow the soup to cook on a low temperature, most of the excess moisture will evaporate and the ingredients will come together. It is also important to note that the soup will continue to thicken as it cools. If you find that you are still having this issue after it has already simmered, then you can try to combine a small amount of water with cornstarch to create a slurry and add it to the soup. Repeat as necessary until the soup is your desired consistency.
How to Store Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Any leftover chicken wild rice soup can be stored in the fridge for up to 6 days in an airtight container. To reheat your soup, transfer to a microwave safe bowl and cover with a paper plate. Cook for 40 seconds, then give the soup a quick stir. Continue to cook in 15 second intervals until it is thoroughly reheated.
What to Serve With Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Chicken Wild Rice Soup pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Consider serving it with a crusty bread like baguette or sourdough for dipping, a fresh green salad, or even some vegetables such as sautéed broccoli or carrots for added nutrition and texture. Additionally, you could offer some homemade crackers with garlic or easy breadsticks on the side for extra crunch.
Expert Tips
- Wild rice can be found in most local grocery stores. It is usually near the dry rice and beans section.
- You can use unsalted butter if you don’t have any salted butter. If you are using unsalted butter then you’ll want to add a pinch of salt to your veggies as they cook.
- Any kind of cooked chicken will work in this recipe. We like to use diced chicken breast or grab a rotisserie chicken from Costco to make it easier!
- Be sure not to burn the flour as you cook it with the vegetables. You will want a nice golden coating on your spoon, but not too dark or else it can add an unpleasant taste to the dish.
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Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Ingredients
- 1 cup diced carrot
- 1 cup diced celery
- ¼ cup salted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups diced chicken, cooked
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup wild rice
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Melt your butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once the butter is fully melted, add your veggies. Allow the veggies to cook for 5 minutes, or until soft.
- Once your veggies are soft, add the flour and spices to the pot. Use a large spoon to give the ingredients a quick stir until the veggies are evenly coated in the spices and flour.
- Add the chicken broth and wild rice. Bring the broth to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot with a lid. Let the soup simmer for 45 minutes on low heat.
- Stir in the heavy cream and allow the soup to continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes without the lid.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Reheat your soup in a microwave safe bowl covered with a paper plate for 40 seconds in the microwave. Give the soup a stir and continue cooking on 15 second intervals until it is thoroughly reheated.
Wild rice can be found near the dry rice and beans at your local grocery store.
You can use unsalted butter if you don’t have any salted. If you are using unsalted butter then you’ll want to add a pinch of salt to your veggies as they cook.
The heavy cream helps make this soup rich and creamy.
It is important to note that this soup will continue to thicken as it cools.
Any kind of cooked chicken will work in this recipe. We like to use diced chicken breast or grab a rotisserie chicken from Costco.
