There are some days that just call for a warm, comforting bowl of soup. You know the ones. Maybe it’s a little chilly outside, or you just need a meal that feels like a big, warm hug. That’s when I turn to my favorite Chicken Soup Recipes.
And let me tell you, this creamy chicken and wild rice soup is at the top of the list. It’s hearty, full of flavor, and surprisingly simple to put together. It’s one of those Easy Soup Recipes you’ll make again and again.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love? This soup has a beautifully creamy broth without being too heavy. It is just right. The wild rice adds a wonderful texture and nutty flavor that pairs so well with the tender chicken and vegetables.
It’s a complete meal in one pot. You get your protein, veggies, and grains all together. This makes it a fantastic option when you want a satisfying Soup For Dinner without a lot of fuss. It is a really wholesome meal.
Plus, it’s a very forgiving recipe. You can easily adjust the seasonings to your liking or swap in different vegetables. It’s one of those Chicken Soup Recipes that feels homemade and special every time.
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to gather to make this wonderful soup. The ingredients are simple and easy to find at your local grocery store.
- 2 cups cooked wild rice
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon paste
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 12 ounce can evaporated milk
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to get cooking? Let’s walk through how to make this delicious soup. It’s one of the best Healthy Soup Recipes you can make right at home.
Step 1: Sauté Your Veggies
First things first, grab a large pot or Dutch oven and place it over medium heat. Add your olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, it’s time to add the celery, carrots, and onion. Let them cook for about three minutes, stirring occasionally.
Next, add the minced garlic and cook for just another 30 seconds until it’s fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn. Now, add the butter. Once it’s melted, whisk in the all purpose flour. Keep whisking for a solid minute. This little step is what helps thicken the soup later on.
Step 2: Add Broth And Seasonings
Time to build that flavorful broth. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring. As you stir, gently scrape up any tasty bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Those little pieces are packed with flavor.
Once the broth is in, add the chicken bouillon paste, thyme, sage, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir to combine. This is where the magic for our Chicken Soup Recipes begins.
Step 3: Cook The Chicken
Gently place your chicken breasts or thighs into the pot. Bring the whole mixture to a boil. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot with a lid. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked all the way through.
Carefully remove the chicken and place it on a cutting board. Let it rest for five minutes. This helps keep it juicy. Then, you can either chop it or shred it into small, bite sized pieces. This method makes for very tender chicken in your Soup For Dinner.
Step 4: Finish The Soup
Now for the final touches. Stir the evaporated milk and the cooked wild rice into the pot. Add your shredded or chopped chicken back in as well. This is what makes it one of the creamiest Chicken Soup Recipes around.
Let it heat through for a few minutes. Give the broth a taste and see if it needs anything else. You might want a little more salt, pepper, or bouillon. Adjust it until it tastes just right for you. Then, it’s ready to serve!
How To Store Leftovers
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This soup is just as good, if not better, the next day. Once the soup has cooled down completely, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for up to 4 days.
When you’re ready to eat it again, simply reheat it gently on the stove over medium low heat. Avoid boiling it, as that can change the texture of the creamy broth. A gentle reheat is all it needs.
Tips
Here are a few extra ideas to make your soup making experience even better. These little suggestions can make your Easy Soup Recipes even simpler.
For the wild rice, you have options. You can cook your own from scratch, or use a boxed mix like Rice a Roni. Leftover cooked rice from another meal works great too. Cooking the rice in chicken broth instead of water adds another layer of flavor.
Want to use your slow cooker? No problem. Just sauté the veggies, butter, and flour in a skillet first. Then transfer everything to the slow cooker and whisk in the broth, seasonings, and chicken. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours. Shred the chicken, then stir in the milk and cooked rice at the end.
You can also make a vegetarian version. Just leave out the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. It’s a wonderful way to adapt this recipe. These are some of my favorite Healthy Soup Recipes tricks.
Conclusion
There you have it. A truly satisfying and delicious meal that is sure to become a family favorite. This is one of those Chicken Soup Recipes that checks all the boxes. It is comforting, filling, and packed with wholesome ingredients.
Whether you need a simple weeknight Soup For Dinner or a cozy meal to warm you up, this recipe is a keeper. I hope you enjoy making and eating it as much as I do. It is a great addition to your collection of Easy Soup Recipes.
FAQ
Can I Use A Different Kind Of Rice?
Absolutely. While wild rice adds a great nutty flavor and texture, you can use other types. Brown rice or a long grain white rice would also work well in this soup. Just make sure it’s cooked before you add it at the end.
How Can I Make This Soup Even Thicker?
If you prefer a thicker, stew like consistency, you can make a small slurry. Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Slowly stir it into the simmering soup until it reaches your desired thickness.
Is This Soup Gluten Free?
This recipe as written is not gluten free because it uses all purpose flour to thicken the broth. To make it gluten free, you can use a gluten free all purpose flour blend in its place. Ensure your chicken broth and bouillon are also certified gluten free. This is an important check for many Healthy Soup Recipes.
Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
This creamy chicken and wild rice soup is hearty, full of flavor, and surprisingly simple to put together. It’s a complete meal in one pot, combining tender chicken, vegetables, and nutty wild rice in a beautifully creamy broth that feels homemade and special.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- First things first, grab a large pot or Dutch oven and place it over medium heat. Add your olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, it’s time to add the celery, carrots, and onion. Let them cook for about three minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Next, add the minced garlic and cook for just another 30 seconds until it’s fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn. Now, add the butter. Once it’s melted, whisk in the all purpose flour. Keep whisking for a solid minute. This little step is what helps thicken the soup later on.
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring. As you stir, gently scrape up any tasty bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Those little pieces are packed with flavor.
- Once the broth is in, add the chicken bouillon paste, thyme, sage, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir to combine.
- Gently place your chicken breasts or thighs into the pot. Bring the whole mixture to a boil. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot with a lid. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked all the way through.
- Carefully remove the chicken and place it on a cutting board. Let it rest for five minutes. This helps keep it juicy. Then, you can either chop it or shred it into small, bite sized pieces. This method makes for very tender chicken in your Soup For Dinner.
- Now for the final touches. Stir the evaporated milk and the cooked wild rice into the pot. Add your shredded or chopped chicken back in as well. This is what makes it one of the creamiest Chicken Soup Recipes around.
- Let it heat through for a few minutes. Give the broth a taste and see if it needs anything else. You might want a little more salt, pepper, or bouillon. Adjust it until it tastes just right for you. Then, it’s ready to serve!
Notes
Storage: Once cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat; avoid boiling to maintain broth texture.
Wild Rice Options: Cook your own, use a boxed mix, or utilize leftover cooked rice. Cooking rice in chicken broth adds more flavor.
Slow Cooker Method: Sauté veggies, butter, and flour in a skillet, then transfer to a slow cooker with broth, seasonings, and chicken. Cook on low for 3-4 hours. Shred chicken, then stir in milk and cooked rice.
Vegetarian Version: Omit chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Thicker Soup: For a stew-like consistency, mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Slowly stir it into the simmering soup until desired thickness is reached.
Gluten-Free: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Ensure chicken broth and bouillon are certified gluten-free.
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