Description
Hearty Wild Rice Chicken Soup brings comfort and warmth to winter dinner tables with its rich, silky blend of tender chicken and earthy mushrooms. Savory herbs and creamy broth invite you to savor each spoonful of this nourishing, soul-warming meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken breast, boneless and skinless
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup wild rice
- 4 cups chicken broth
Aromatics and Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
Creamy and Seasoning Components:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp white wine (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare chicken by cutting into bite-sized cubes, patting dry with paper towels to ensure proper browning.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, searing chicken pieces until golden and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same pot, melt butter and sauté diced onions, minced garlic, chopped carrots, and celery until vegetables become tender and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add sliced mushrooms to the vegetable mixture, cooking until they release their moisture and begin to caramelize, roughly 4-5 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, stirring continuously to create a roux and prevent lumping, cooking for 2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Gradually pour chicken broth into the pot, whisking constantly to incorporate flour smoothly and prevent clumping.
- Introduce wild rice, dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper, allowing the mixture to simmer and rice to partially cook for 25-30 minutes.
- Stir in white wine for additional depth of flavor, if using, and return cooked chicken to the pot.
- Reduce heat to low, gently blend in heavy cream, creating a luxurious and velvety consistency.
- Simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes until rice is tender and soup reaches desired thickness.
- Finish by garnishing with freshly chopped parsley, serving hot and steaming.
Notes
- Pat chicken dry thoroughly to achieve golden-brown exterior and lock in maximum flavor during searing.
- Use fresh mushrooms like cremini or shiitake for deeper, more complex umami taste profile.
- Consider substituting heavy cream with coconut milk for dairy-free version, maintaining creamy texture while adding subtle sweetness.
- Toast wild rice briefly before adding to soup to enhance nutty undertones and develop richer depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg