Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Creamy, comforting, and filled with tender chunks of chicken and nutty wild rice, Chicken Wild Rice Soup is the ultimate cold-weather comfort food. Each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of hearty wild rice, succulent chicken, and aromatic vegetables swimming in a velvety broth. This Minnesota-inspired classic transforms simple ingredients into a soul-warming meal that’s both elegant and satisfying. You’ll learn how to create a restaurant-quality Chicken Wild Rice Soup that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Chicken Wild Rice Soup recipe stands out from ordinary soups with its irresistible combination of flavors and textures. The chewy, nutty wild rice provides a satisfying bite that contrasts beautifully with the tender chicken and soft vegetables. Unlike many cream-based soups that can feel heavy, this version achieves the perfect balance—rich and comforting without being overwhelming.

What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility. It’s elegant enough for special occasions yet simple enough for weeknight dinners. The depth of flavor develops as it simmers, creating a soup that tastes like it’s been cooking all day, even when it hasn’t. Plus, it’s a complete meal in one pot, combining protein, vegetables, and grains in a single delicious bowl.

Health-conscious cooks will appreciate that this wild rice chicken soup uses simple, wholesome ingredients while still delivering that indulgent, creamy texture everyone craves. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser that works year-round but feels especially magical during the colder months.

Ingredients

For this Chicken Wild Rice Soup, you’ll need:

• 1 cup wild rice blend, uncooked
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 3 medium carrots, diced (about 1 cup)
• 3 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup)
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced (cremini or button work well)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 6 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for extra richness)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

The wild rice blend is the star ingredient, offering a beautiful mix of textures and a nutty flavor that store-bought rice mixes can’t match. For the best creamy chicken and wild rice soup, use quality chicken broth as it forms the foundation of your soup’s flavor profile.

Pro Tips

Properly Cook the Wild Rice: Wild rice requires longer cooking time than white or brown rice. For the best texture in your Chicken Wild Rice Soup, cook the wild rice until it just begins to split open and curl. It should be tender but still maintain some bite. Overcooking will result in mushy rice that loses its distinctive texture.

Build Flavor Layers: The secret to exceptional wild rice chicken soup lies in proper sautéing. Take your time browning the chicken pieces before removing them from the pot. Then, sauté the vegetables until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms have released their moisture and begun to brown. This process caramelizes the natural sugars in the ingredients, creating depth of flavor that simply boiling everything together can’t achieve.

Perfect the Roux: The silky texture of this soup depends on a properly made roux. Melt the butter completely, whisk in the flour, and cook for 2-3 minutes until it smells slightly nutty but hasn’t browned. This step cooks out the raw flour taste. When adding liquids, pour slowly while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. If your soup isn’t thickening properly, remember that it will continue to thicken as it cools slightly.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Wild Rice
Rinse 1 cup of wild rice blend under cold water until water runs clear. In a separate pot, cook the wild rice according to package directions, typically 45-50 minutes until tender but still slightly chewy. Drain if needed and set aside. This can be done ahead of time to streamline the soup-making process.

Step 2: Sauté the Chicken
In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add them to the hot oil. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown on all sides but not fully cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Vegetables
In the same pot, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the sliced mushrooms and continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes until the mushrooms have released their moisture and begun to brown. Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, and rosemary, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4: Create the Soup Base
Add the chicken broth and bay leaves to the pot, scraping the bottom to release any browned bits. Return the partially cooked chicken to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to finish cooking.

Step 5: Make the Creamy Element
In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to create a blonde roux. Gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to stir until smooth. Cook this mixture for 4-5 minutes until it thickens slightly.

Step 6: Combine and Finish
Slowly pour the milk mixture into the soup, stirring constantly. Add the cooked wild rice and heavy cream. Simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes until the soup reaches your desired thickness, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaves, season with salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with fresh parsley before serving your delicious Chicken Wild Rice Soup.

Variations

Instant Pot Chicken Wild Rice Soup: Transform this classic into a quick weeknight meal by using your pressure cooker. Add all ingredients except the cream and flour-butter mixture to your Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 35 minutes, then quick release. Meanwhile, prepare the roux on the stovetop, add it to the soup using the sauté function, and finish with cream. This variation cuts the cooking time in half while maintaining the rich flavor of traditional Chicken Wild Rice Soup.

Dairy-Free Version: Create a creamy wild rice chicken soup without dairy by substituting the milk and cream with full-fat coconut milk and using olive oil instead of butter for the roux. The coconut adds a subtle sweetness that complements the earthiness of the wild rice beautifully. For extra thickness without flour, blend 1/4 cup of the cooked soup vegetables with 1 cup of the broth, then return this purée to the pot.

Vegetable-Forward Variation: Double the vegetables and add diced sweet potatoes, butternut squash, or kale for a more nutrient-dense soup. For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The wild rice provides enough protein and substance to make this variation satisfying even without meat.

Storage and Serving

Store leftover Chicken Wild Rice Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The soup will thicken considerably when chilled as the wild rice continues to absorb liquid. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or milk to reach your desired consistency and warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.

For freezing, cool the soup completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Note that cream-based soups can sometimes separate when frozen and reheated, but a quick whisking while warm will recombine the ingredients.

Serve this creamy chicken and wild rice soup as a complete meal with a side of crusty artisan bread for dipping. For an elegant presentation, ladle the soup into warmed bowls and top with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, a few additional pieces of shredded chicken, and a drizzle of olive oil. For a heartier meal, pair with a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to balance the soup’s richness.

FAQs

Can I use just wild rice instead of a wild rice blend?
Yes, you can use 100% wild rice, but expect a chewier texture and longer cooking time (about 60-75 minutes). True wild rice has a more pronounced earthy flavor that works beautifully in Chicken Wild Rice Soup, though it is typically more expensive than blends.

Why is my soup not thickening properly?
The thickness of your wild rice chicken soup depends on properly cooking the roux and allowing enough simmering time. If your soup seems thin, create a slurry with 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water, then stir it into the simmering soup. Alternatively, let the soup simmer uncovered for 10-15 additional minutes.

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken?
Absolutely! Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver. Skip the chicken browning step and add shredded rotisserie chicken during the last 10 minutes of cooking to warm through. This method adds another dimension of flavor to your Chicken Wild Rice Soup.

Is wild rice gluten-free?
Yes, wild rice is naturally gluten-free, making this soup easily adaptable for those with gluten sensitivities. Just be sure to substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free thickener like cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend.

Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes! Add all ingredients except the milk, cream, butter, and flour to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. In the last 30 minutes, prepare the roux on the stovetop, then stir it into the slow cooker along with the cream.

Conclusion

This Chicken Wild Rice Soup is comfort food at its finest — a velvety, hearty blend of tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and fresh vegetables that warm you from the inside out. It’s the kind of dish that transforms an ordinary weeknight into a special occasion while still being simple enough to prepare without stress. Whether you’re seeking comfort on a cold winter evening or craving something nourishing yet indulgent, this soup delivers with every spoonful. Make a batch today, and discover why this beloved classic has stood the test of time.

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