Are you looking for the ultimate bowl of comfort? We all know that feeling—craving a dish that warms you from the inside out, filled with wholesome ingredients and a flavour so good it makes you pause and appreciate every single bite. If this sounds like what you need, then your search is over. Allow us to introduce our rich, velvety, and absolutely irresistible Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup, destined to become a staple in your home.

This recipe is far more than just a simple meal; it’s a culinary experience. We have meticulously developed a soup that perfectly marries earthy wild rice, succulent chicken, and a colourful trio of fresh vegetables, all swimming in a luxuriously creamy broth. It’s the kind of hearty chicken soup that fills your home with an incredible aroma, calling everyone to the dinner table. Step away from the shop-bought soups; our homemade version is surprisingly simple to prepare and offers a depth of flavour that is truly unparalleled.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Our recipe rivals the versions served in your favourite cafés, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet-tasting soup without ever having to leave your house. It stands out as one of the finest panera copycat recipes you will find, elevated by the special touch of a home-cooked meal.
• Incredibly Comforting: With its sumptuously thick broth and substantial ingredients, this soup is the very definition of comfort food. It is the perfect companion for a cosy evening, a day of feeling under the weather, or any time you need a soothing lift.
• Packed with Wholesome Goodness: We make this soup with lean chicken breast, a nutritious blend of wild rice, and fresh vegetables such as carrots, celery, and onions. It is a wonderfully balanced and deeply satisfying meal all in one bowl.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: This soup keeps exceptionally well in the refrigerator and, like many great dishes, its flavours deepen and improve overnight. It’s an excellent choice for convenient lunches or effortless weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 60g all-purpose flour
• 1.5 litres chicken broth, preferably low-sodium
• 150g uncooked wild rice blend
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 500g)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 240ml double cream (heavy cream)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Making the Ultimate Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Crafting this culinary delight is a straightforward affair that we have organised into simple, easy-to-follow stages. In our view, the very best wild rice recipes are those that promise incredible flavour without any unnecessary complications. Follow our guide, and you will soon have a steaming pot of deliciousness ready to enjoy.

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables (The Flavour Base)

The secret to any memorable soup lies in its flavour base, often known as a mirepoix. This is the crucial first step where we cultivate the deep, savoury undertones that make our Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup so exceptional.

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven set over a medium heat, add the butter and olive oil.
2. Once the butter is melted, add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the vegetables are tender and the onion looks glassy. This gentle sauté is key to unlocking their natural sweetness.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until it becomes fragrant. Take care not to let the garlic scorch, as it could impart a bitter taste.

Step 2: Create the Roux and Build the Broth

A roux, a simple combination of fat and flour, serves as the thickener for our soup, giving it that wonderfully smooth and velvety consistency. It’s the essential element for achieving a rich broth that isn’t thin or watery.

1. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the cooked vegetables. Stir it in constantly for about a minute to cook away the raw flour flavour. The mixture will form a thick paste.
2. Gently pour in approximately 250ml of the chicken broth, whisking vigorously to form a smooth paste free of lumps.
3. Once smooth, continue to pour in the rest of the chicken broth in a slow stream, whisking as you go, until all the liquid is fully incorporated.

Step 3: Simmer to Perfection

It’s now time to let the gentle heat work its magic. During this simmering phase, the chicken will cook until it is beautifully tender, and the wild rice will absorb all the wonderful flavours of the broth.

1. Increase the heat to bring the soup to a gentle boil. Add the wild rice blend, dried thyme, and the bay leaf, stirring to combine.
2. Carefully lower the whole chicken breasts into the pot, making sure they are fully submerged in the liquid.
3. Turn the heat down to low, place the lid on the pot, and let it simmer for 40–50 minutes. The soup is ready when the rice is tender and the chicken is thoroughly cooked (with an internal temperature of 74°C or 165°F). You’ll notice the grains of rice will have split open.

Step 4: The Finishing Touches

We’re nearly at the finish line! These final steps will unite all the components, transforming our pot of ingredients into the luxurious soup we’ve been dreaming of.

1. Gently lift the cooked chicken breasts out of the pot and set them on a cutting board. Find and discard the bay leaf.
2. Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
3. Slowly pour the double cream into the soup, stirring gently. Let it warm through for a couple of minutes, but be sure not to let the soup reach a rolling boil, which could cause the cream to separate.
4. Add the shredded chicken back into the pot, along with the freshly chopped parsley. Stir everything together.
5. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. Allow the soup to rest for a few minutes so the flavours can meld together, then serve piping hot.

Tips for Delicious Variations and Perfect Results

We are committed to making your soup-making adventure a resounding success. Here are some of our favourite pointers and creative ideas to help you enhance your dish and tailor it to your own taste.

• Use a Shortcut: If you find yourself short on time, a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is a brilliant alternative. Simply shred the meat and stir it into the soup with the cream towards the end of the cooking process.
• Mushroom Magic: To introduce an even deeper, earthier dimension, sauté 200g of sliced cremini or chestnut mushrooms with the other vegetables in the first step.
• Control the Thickness: You can easily adjust the consistency of your soup. For a thicker texture, mix one tablespoon of cornflour with two tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry, then stir it in during the last 5 minutes of simmering. For a thinner soup, just add an extra splash of chicken broth.
• A Note on Wild Rice: It might surprise you to learn that wild rice is not rice at all! It’s the seed of an aquatic grass, prized for its nutty taste, chewy texture, and excellent nutritional value. As highlighted by Healthline, it is especially rich in protein and fibre, which makes our soup even more filling and wholesome.

For those who love comforting chicken dishes, we have some other wonderful recipes to share. Our Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders provide a delightful sweet-and-savoury experience, while our Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaves With Creamy Sauce are the epitome of indulgence. Both are fantastic choices for a cosy family meal.

FAQ

A Bowl of Pure Comfort Awaits

So there we have it—a straightforward, elegant, and deeply satisfying Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup that we are confident you will adore. It serves as a beautiful reminder of how a handful of simple ingredients can be combined to create something truly extraordinary. This recipe is proof that you don’t need to be a seasoned chef to produce delicious, café-quality meals in your own kitchen.

The next time you find yourself yearning for warmth and comfort, we warmly encourage you to try this recipe. Assemble your ingredients, let the delightful aromas fill your home, and gift yourself and your loved ones a bowl of pure happiness.

Have you made our Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup? We would be delighted to hear from you! Please leave a comment below to share your experience, or tag us in your photos on social media. Happy cooking!

Meta Description: Make our ultimate Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup! This easy recipe creates a hearty, comforting meal with tender chicken, wild rice, and a velvety broth. Perfect for a cosy night in and better than any café!

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Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 60 mins
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 60g all-purpose flour
• 1.5 litres chicken broth, preferably low-sodium
• 150g uncooked wild rice blend
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 500g)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 240ml double cream (heavy cream)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter and olive oil. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 8-10 minutes until tender. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
2. Make Roux & Add Broth: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for one minute. Gradually whisk in about 250ml of the chicken broth to form a smooth paste, then slowly whisk in the remaining broth until fully incorporated.
3. Simmer Soup: Bring the soup to a boil. Stir in the wild rice blend, thyme, and bay leaf. Carefully add the whole chicken breasts, ensuring they are submerged. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40-50 minutes, until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
4. Finish the Soup: Remove the cooked chicken and shred it using two forks. Discard the bay leaf from the pot. Slowly stir the double cream into the soup and allow it to warm through gently without boiling.
5. Combine and Serve: Return the shredded chicken to the pot along with the chopped parsley. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. Let the soup rest for a few minutes, then serve hot.