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Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Elina James
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Soups
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • For the Soup Base:
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend (or pure wild rice)
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced; rotisserie works great)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • For the Creamy Mixture:
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
  • ½ cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
  • Optional Add-Ins:
  • 1 cup chopped spinach or kale (for extra nutrition)
  • ½ cup mushrooms, sliced
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for a richer finish)

Instructions
 

  • Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics : In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Stir for another minute.
  • Step 2: Add the Rice and Broth : Stir in the uncooked wild rice, coating it with the vegetable mixture. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 35–40 minutes until rice is tender and slightly chewy.
  • Step 3: Add the Chicken : Stir in the cooked shredded chicken. Simmer for another 5–10 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
  • Step 4: Make the Cream Base (Roux) : In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to make a roux; cook for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden. Slowly whisk in the milk, a little at a time, until smooth and creamy. Stir in the heavy cream if using. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
  • Step 5: Combine and Simmer : Pour the cream mixture into the soup pot with chicken and rice. Stir well to combine; simmer gently for 5–10 minutes to thicken further. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Step 6: Final Touch : Remove the bay leaf before serving. Optional: Stir in spinach, mushrooms, or Parmesan cheese at the end for extra depth.