Description
Rich, creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup brings Minnesota’s hearty comfort to your kitchen. Packed with tender chicken, earthy wild rice, and velvety broth, you’ll savor this soul-warming classic that feels like a warm embrace on a chilly day.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
Vegetables and Rice:
- 1 cup (185 grams) wild rice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cup (130 grams) carrots, chopped
- 1 cup (70 grams) mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 1/4 cup (15 grams) chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a robust pot, introducing bite-sized chicken pieces and searing until golden and caramelized, creating a rich foundational flavor.
- Within the same aromatic vessel, gently sweat diced onions and minced garlic, releasing their sweet, pungent essence and developing a flavor base.
- Introduce wild rice, sliced carrots, and quartered mushrooms, allowing them to toast briefly and absorb the pot’s developing complexity.
- Cascade chicken broth into the mixture, encouraging a gentle simmer. Reduce heat, cover, and allow ingredients to meld and rice to tenderize, approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Gradually incorporate milk, creating a luxurious creamy texture. Sprinkle in chopped parsley, fragrant thyme, complementary salt, and freshly ground pepper.
- Return seared chicken to the pot, allowing it to reconnect with the soup’s nuanced flavors during a final 5-10 minute simmer.
- Ladle the velvety soup into waiting bowls, optionally garnishing with delicate parsley sprigs for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- Enhance flavor depth by using homemade chicken broth instead of store-bought for richer taste.
- Swap regular milk with coconut milk for a dairy-free version that adds subtle sweetness and creamy texture.
- Toast wild rice briefly before cooking to unlock deeper nutty undertones and improve overall soup complexity.
- Customize protein options by substituting chicken with shredded turkey or plant-based alternatives like tofu for vegetarian preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg