Hearty Chicken Wild Rice Soup for Cozy Nights

When the weather turns colder, there’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of hearty Chicken Wild Rice Soup . With tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and a rich, creamy broth, this soup is perfect for cozy evenings or as a delicious starter for any meal. Whether you enjoy it on a chilly day or as part of a family dinner, this recipe is sure to warm your heart.

What Makes This Chicken Wild Rice Soup Special?

This Chicken Wild Rice Soup is not just any soup – it’s a comforting, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, earthy wild rice, and a creamy broth. It’s packed with vegetables and greens, making it a nourishing and filling option for any meal. Unlike many versions that rely on heavy cream, this recipe lightens things up with milk, offering a healthier alternative without sacrificing flavor.

Here are the key components that make this soup stand out:

• Tender Chicken: Whether you use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or leftover rotisserie chicken, the chicken in this soup is juicy and tender.
• Wild Rice: Wild rice has a distinctive flavor and texture that pairs perfectly with the creamy broth, giving the soup a hearty, nutty taste.
• Creamy Broth: The broth is made from chicken stock, milk, and a touch of flour to thicken it, creating a rich and creamy consistency.
• Vegetables and Greens: Carrots, celery, garlic, and baby spinach are added for flavor, texture, and a nutritional boost.

This soup is versatile and can be customized to suit your preferences. Whether you like a thinner broth or a more indulgent version with bacon, this recipe offers plenty of options for making it your own.

Ingredients Needed for Chicken Wild Rice Soup

To make this soup, you’ll need a few simple ingredients that come together to create a rich and flavorful dish. Here’s what you’ll need:

Basic Ingredients:

• Butter or Olive Oil: For sautéing the vegetables and adding richness to the soup.
• Mirepoix (Carrots, Celery, Onion): This classic trio forms the flavor base for the soup.
• Garlic: Adds a fragrant, savory depth to the broth.
• Flour: Used to thicken the soup. You can also substitute with cornstarch for a gluten-free option.
• Chicken Stock: A rich base that makes up the majority of the soup’s flavor. You can substitute with vegetable stock if you prefer a vegetarian version.
• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal, but you can use precooked chicken or even shredded rotisserie chicken if you’re short on time.
• Mushrooms: Baby bella mushrooms add umami and texture, but you can omit them if you don’t like mushrooms.
• Wild Rice: The star ingredient of this soup, wild rice adds a nutty flavor and chewy texture that complements the creamy broth.
• Rosemary: Fresh rosemary adds a fragrant, earthy flavor. You can also use dried rosemary.
• Bay Leaves: These enhance the soup’s depth of flavor.
• Milk: Whole milk gives the soup a creamy consistency. You can substitute with a plant-based milk like almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version.
• Baby Spinach: Adds a pop of color and a nutritional boost.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning the soup to taste.

How to Make Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Making Chicken Wild Rice Soup is easy and straightforward. Here’s how you can make it step by step:

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

Start by melting butter or heating olive oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add the carrots, celery, and garlic and sauté for another 3 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 2: Add the Flour

Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir well. Let the flour cook for about a minute while stirring frequently to avoid clumps. This will help thicken the soup later.

Step 3: Add the Broth and Chicken

Gradually pour in the chicken stock, stirring to combine with the flour mixture. Add the chicken breasts, mushrooms, wild rice, rosemary, and bay leaves. Stir everything together and bring the soup to a simmer.

Step 4: Simmer the Soup

Lower the heat to medium-low and cover the pot. Let the soup simmer for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the wild rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked.

Step 5: Shred or Dice the Chicken

Once the chicken breasts are cooked, carefully remove them from the soup using tongs. Place them on a clean plate and let them cool for a moment. You can either shred the chicken using two forks or dice it into bite-sized pieces. Stir the chicken back into the soup, ensuring it is well distributed.

Step 6: Add the Remaining Ingredients

Stir in the milk and chopped baby spinach. The spinach will wilt down into the soup, adding both color and nutritional value. Continue stirring until the spinach is fully incorporated and the soup is heated through.

Step 7: Season the Soup

Remove and discard the bay leaves. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed by adding more salt, pepper, or even a little extra rosemary if you like. If the soup is too thick, you can add a bit more chicken stock or water to achieve your preferred consistency.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the soup into bowls and serve immediately while it’s hot. You can garnish with a sprinkle of fresh rosemary or a dollop of sour cream if desired. Pair it with warm bread or a light salad for a complete meal.

Chicken Wild Rice Soup Variations

While the classic Chicken Wild Rice Soup is delicious on its own, there are plenty of ways to customize it to suit your tastes or dietary preferences. Here are a few ideas for variations you can try:

Make It Gluten-Free:
Simply omit the flour and use a cornstarch slurry instead (mix equal parts cornstarch and cold water). Add this to the soup after the wild rice is cooked to thicken the broth.

Vegetarian Version:
For a vegetarian take, replace the chicken with chickpeas or tofu, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock. The soup will still be hearty and flavorful.

Add Bacon:
For a more indulgent version, cook bacon in the pot before adding the vegetables, and then use the bacon grease to sauté the vegetables. Garnish the soup with crumbled bacon for extra flavor.

Use Different Greens:
Swap the spinach for collard greens or kale to add more texture and nutritional value.

Try a Cajun Twist:
Substitute rosemary with Old Bay Seasoning for a more Cajun-style flavor. This variation gives the soup a spicier, bolder taste.

Tips for Making the Perfect Chicken Wild Rice Soup

To ensure your Chicken Wild Rice Soup turns out perfect every time, keep these tips in mind:

Use High-Quality Broth:
For the best flavor, use homemade chicken broth or high-quality store-bought broth. This will set the foundation for your soup and enhance the overall taste.

Don’t Overcook the Rice:
Be mindful of the cooking time for the wild rice. Overcooked rice will become mushy and affect the texture of the soup. Keep an eye on it as it cooks and make sure it remains tender but still chewy.

Season Gradually:
Start with the recommended amounts of salt, pepper, and seasoning. Taste the soup as it cooks and adjust the seasonings to your liking. It’s always easier to add more seasoning than to try to fix an over-seasoned soup.

Don’t Skip the Shredding Step:
Shredding the chicken gives the soup a nice texture and ensures that the chicken is evenly distributed throughout the soup. Dicing the chicken is also an option, but shredded chicken tends to be more tender.

Final Thoughts on Chicken Wild Rice Soup

This Chicken Wild Rice Soup is a versatile and comforting dish that’s perfect for any season. Whether you make it with the classic ingredients or customize it to suit your preferences, it’s sure to become a family favorite. With its hearty rice, tender chicken, and creamy broth, it’s a meal that’s both satisfying and nourishing.

By following the steps and tips in this recipe, you’ll be able to make a delicious bowl of soup in no time. So, gather your ingredients, warm up your kitchen, and enjoy the cozy comfort of homemade chicken wild rice soup!

FAQs On Chicken Wild Rice Soup

1. What kind of rice is best for Chicken Wild Rice Soup?

For Chicken Wild Rice Soup, it’s important to use wild rice instead of regular white or brown rice. Wild rice has a nutty flavor and chewy texture, which pairs perfectly with the creamy broth and tender chicken in the soup. Make sure to use 100% wild rice, as wild rice blends can affect the texture and taste of the soup.

2. Can I make Chicken Wild Rice Soup gluten-free?

Yes! To make Chicken Wild Rice Soup gluten-free, simply omit the all-purpose flour used to thicken the soup. Instead, you can use a cornstarch slurry (mix equal parts cornstarch and cold water) to achieve the desired thickness. Ensure your chicken broth is gluten-free, or substitute it with vegetable broth.

3. Can I use cooked chicken for Chicken Wild Rice Soup?

Absolutely! You can use cooked or leftover chicken instead of raw chicken breasts. Simply add the diced or shredded cooked chicken to the soup after the wild rice has cooked and the broth is ready. This option saves time and still delivers a delicious soup.

4. How can I make Chicken Wild Rice Soup vegetarian?

To make this soup vegetarian, replace the chicken with chickpeas, tofu, or tempeh, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock. You can also add more vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or potatoes for added texture and flavor.

5. How long can Chicken Wild Rice Soup be stored in the fridge?

You can store leftover Chicken Wild Rice Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If the soup thickens too much upon refrigeration, simply add a bit of broth or water when reheating to bring it back to your desired consistency.

Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe Card

Ingredients:

For the Soup:

• 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
• 1 small white or yellow onion, peeled and diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour if needed)
• 6 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock for vegetarian version)
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 8 oz baby bella mushrooms, diced
• 1 cup uncooked wild rice, rinsed and drained
• 1 tablespoon finely-chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 cups milk (cow’s milk or plant-based milk)
• 2 large handfuls fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Vegetables:
   Heat butter or olive oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 4 minutes. Add the carrots, celery, and garlic, and sauté for another 3 minutes until softened. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir, cooking for an additional minute.

2. Add the Broth and Chicken:
   Gradually pour in the chicken stock, stirring constantly to avoid clumps from the flour. Add the chicken breasts, mushrooms, wild rice, rosemary, and bay leaves. Stir to combine.

3. Simmer the Soup:
   Bring the soup to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 40-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the wild rice is tender.

4. Shred or Dice the Chicken:
   Remove the chicken breasts from the pot and set aside to cool for a few minutes. Shred or dice the chicken and return it to the soup.

5. Add Milk and Spinach:
   Stir in the milk and chopped baby spinach. Let the soup cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and everything is heated through.

6. Season and Serve:
   Remove and discard the bay leaves. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to your liking. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes:

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace the flour with cornstarch or use a gluten-free flour blend. Make a slurry with equal parts cornstarch and cold water to thicken the soup.
• Vegetarian Version: Substitute the chicken with chickpeas and use vegetable stock for a vegetarian alternative.
• Extra Flavor: For an indulgent twist, add crispy bacon bits on top or cook the vegetables in bacon grease for extra flavor.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving):

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Method: Stovetop

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food