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Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup (Best Comfort Meal)

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This creamy, hearty soup is made in the slow cooker with tender chicken, wild rice, and vegetables. It’s the perfect comfort meal for busy weeknights, requiring minimal prep and delivering maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2–3 large)
  • 1 cup wild rice blend (not instant)
  • 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 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (plus more to taste)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep the vegetables: Dice onion, carrots, and celery into roughly 1/2-inch pieces. Mince the garlic.
  2. Layer in the slow cooker: Place diced onion, carrots, and celery in the bottom. Add minced garlic on top. Place chicken breasts on top of vegetables. Sprinkle wild rice blend over everything.
  3. Add liquid and seasonings: Pour chicken broth over everything. Add dried thyme, dried rosemary, bay leaves, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Do not stir.
  4. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until chicken is cooked through and shreds easily, and rice is tender.
  5. Shred the chicken: Carefully remove chicken breasts and shred with two forks. Discard bay leaves. Return shredded chicken to slow cooker.
  6. Make the creamy finish: In a small bowl, whisk together heavy cream and all-purpose flour until smooth.
  7. Add the cream mixture: Slowly pour cream mixture into slow cooker while stirring gently. Stir until well combined.
  8. Final simmer: Cover and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes to thicken slightly.
  9. Taste and adjust: Add more salt and pepper if needed. Stir in fresh lemon juice.
  10. Serve and garnish: Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot with crusty bread or a side salad.

Notes

For a thicker soup, mash some cooked vegetables against the side of the slow cooker before adding cream. The soup will thicken as it cools. To freeze, prepare through step 4, cool, and freeze without cream. Add cream when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken soup, wild rice soup, creamy chicken soup, comfort food, easy dinner, meal prep

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/easy-slow-cooker-chicken-and-wild-rice-soup-best-comfort-meal/