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Creamy Wild Rice and Chicken Soup

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This creamy wild rice and chicken soup is the ultimate cozy night comfort food, featuring tender chicken, a wild rice blend, and a velvety, herby broth. It’s easy to make, deeply nourishing, and perfect for family dinners or sharing with friends.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3/4 cup wild rice blend (uncooked)
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 2 teaspoons fresh, chopped)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste (start with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk (or half-and-half)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep all ingredients: dice onion, carrots, and celery; mince garlic; cube chicken if using raw; measure rice, broth, and seasonings.
  2. Heat olive oil or butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  3. Add wild rice blend, raw chicken, chicken broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. (If using cooked chicken, add it later.)
  4. Bring to a gentle boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
  5. Remove chicken with tongs and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot. For extra creaminess, blend 1-2 cups of soup with an immersion blender and stir back in, if desired.
  6. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, milk, and cream until smooth. Slowly pour into the simmering soup, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
  7. Continue to cook over low heat, stirring often, until the soup thickens, about 5 minutes. Add more broth or milk if too thick.
  8. Remove bay leaf. Stir in lemon juice and parsley (if using). Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  9. Serve hot, garnished with extra parsley or black pepper, and enjoy with crusty bread if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch. For dairy-free, substitute coconut cream and plant-based milk. Use rotisserie chicken for convenience. Add extra veggies like spinach or kale at the end. Soup thickens as it sits—add broth to loosen when reheating. Freezes well for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy wild rice chicken soup, comfort food, cozy soup, easy chicken soup, wild rice soup, family dinner, fall soup, winter soup, one pot meal

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/creamy-wild-rice-and-chicken-soup-recipe-for-cozy-nights/