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Easy Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe

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A thick, creamy, stick-to-your-ribs chicken and wild rice soup that feels like a hug in a bowl. Made with simple ingredients and a quick roux technique for silky-smooth texture every time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 celery stalks, diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 (6-ounce) box long-grain and wild rice mix (seasoning packet discarded if too salty)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first: dice onion, carrots, and celery into 1/4-inch pieces; mince garlic; shred cooked chicken.
  2. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and onions are translucent.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until flour is incorporated and turns light golden (roux).
  5. Slowly pour in chicken broth while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Add water, dried thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, black pepper, and salt. Stir well.
  6. Add wild rice mix (discard seasoning packet if too salty). Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until rice is tender but still slightly chewy.
  7. Stir in cooked chicken and heat through for 3-4 minutes. Remove bay leaf.
  8. Reduce heat to low and slowly pour in heavy cream. Stir gently until combined. Do not let soup boil after adding cream.
  9. Add fresh lemon juice and stir. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or thyme if needed.
  10. Serve immediately in warm bowls, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For best texture, use a wild rice mix that still has some chew after cooking. Avoid instant rice mixes. To make dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil and heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk. For gluten-free, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend or cornstarch slurry. Soup thickens as it cools; add a splash of broth when reheating. Tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken soup, wild rice soup, chicken and wild rice, comfort food, easy soup recipe, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/easy-creamy-chicken-and-wild-rice-soup-recipe/