Pin It A comforting, hearty soup featuring tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and vegetables in a rich, creamy broth—perfect for chilly days.
This soup has become a go-to for chilly evenings with family and warms everyone right up.
Ingredients
- Meats: 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- Grains: 3/4 cup uncooked wild rice, rinsed
- Vegetables: 1 medium yellow onion, diced 2 medium carrots, diced 2 celery stalks, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
- Dairy: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup whole milk
- Liquids: 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Spices & Seasonings: 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried parsley 1 bay leaf Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Thickener: 3 tablespoons cornstarch or gluten-free flour, mixed with 3 tablespoons cold water (slurry)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–7 minutes, until softened.
- Step 2:
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3:
- Stir in the wild rice, thyme, parsley, bay leaf, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 35–40 minutes, until rice is tender.
- Step 4:
- Remove the bay leaf. Add the cooked chicken and spinach (if using).
- Step 5:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch (or gluten-free flour) and cold water to make a slurry. Stir into the soup and cook for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 6:
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in the cream and milk. Heat gently until warmed through do not boil.
- Step 7:
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Pin It This soup always brings my family together on cold evenings and sparks great conversations around the table.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a splash of dry white wine with the broth. Substitute rotisserie chicken for convenience. For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of cream.
Required Tools
Large pot or Dutch oven Sharp knife Cutting board Ladle Whisk
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (butter, cream, milk) If using gluten-free flour and broth, suitable for gluten-free diets Contains no nuts or soy Always check labels for hidden allergens
Pin It This soup is perfect for comforting meals any time of year and is easy to customize to your family's tastes.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What type of rice is used in this dish?
Wild rice is used for its nutty flavor and hearty texture, which complements the tender chicken and creamy broth.
- → Can I substitute the chicken with another protein?
Yes, using rotisserie chicken is a convenient option, or other cooked poultry can be used based on preference.
- → How is the creamy texture achieved?
Butter, heavy cream, and whole milk combine to create a rich and smooth broth, balanced by a cornstarch slurry for slight thickening.
- → Is this dish suitable for a gluten-free diet?
Yes, provided that gluten-free broth and flour are used in the preparation, it can be enjoyed gluten-free.
- → Can vegetables be added or substituted?
The dish includes onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and optional spinach, but these can be adjusted to taste or seasonal availability.
- → What cooking tools are needed?
A large pot or Dutch oven is essential for simmering, along with basic tools like a knife, cutting board, ladle, and whisk.