Are you looking to turn last night’s roasted chicken into an exciting new dinner that feels anything but like leftovers? Dive into the comforting embrace of this exquisite Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup! This classic recipe is a culinary triumph, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, savory, and incredibly satisfying meal that’s perfect for chilly evenings, busy weeknights, or any time you crave a bowl of pure comfort. Ready in under 40 minutes, it’s a testament to the fact that home-cooked meals can be both easy to prepare and profoundly delicious.

Our Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is celebrated for its harmonious blend of tender shredded chicken, earthy wild rice, and a medley of aromatic vegetables, all bathed in a luxurious, creamy broth. It’s a dish that warms you from the inside out, offering a perfect balance of texture and flavor. Beyond its delightful taste, this soup brings the joy of a homemade meal to your table without the fuss, making it an affordable, family-friendly, and truly comforting option.

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, you’ll find this recipe incredibly approachable. It leverages the convenience of pre-cooked chicken, making it an ideal candidate for using up those glorious Sunday roast leftovers. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a soup that tastes like it simmered all day, but comes together in a flash!

Why This Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Will Become Your Go-To Recipe

This isn’t just another soup recipe; it’s a culinary experience designed for ease, flavor, and ultimate satisfaction. Here’s why this Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup deserves a permanent spot in your recipe collection:

• Effortlessly Delicious: Achieve gourmet taste with minimal effort. This recipe is designed for maximum flavor impact with straightforward steps, making it perfect for cooks of all skill levels.
• Quick & Convenient: With a total time of just 35 minutes, this soup is faster than ordering takeout and infinitely more satisfying. It’s an ideal solution for those busy weeknights when you need a hearty meal on the table without a long cooking process.
• Uses Leftover Chicken Perfectly: A brilliant and resourceful way to repurpose cooked chicken, whether it’s from a Sunday roast, baked chicken breasts, or a store-bought rotisserie chicken. This not only reduces food waste but also infuses your soup with incredible depth of flavor.
• Rich & Creamy Texture: The classic technique of creating a roux with butter and flour, combined with heavy cream, results in a velvety smooth, indulgent broth that coats every ingredient beautifully. It’s a texture that’s simply irresistible and genuinely comforting.
• Nutrient-Packed: Wild rice adds a fantastic nutty flavor and a satisfyingly chewy texture, along with beneficial fiber and essential nutrients. Paired with lean protein from the chicken and optional added vegetables, it forms a wholesome and well-rounded meal.
• Family-Friendly Appeal: This is a universally loved dish that appeals to all ages. Its mild yet complex flavors make it palatable for children, while still being sophisticated enough to impress adult palates.
• Highly Customizable: Don’t be afraid to make it your own! Easily adapt the types of vegetables, introduce different spices, or even convert it into a vegetarian or vegan dish to suit various dietary preferences and ingredients you have on hand.

The Star Ingredients: What Makes This Soup Shine

Every truly great recipe is built upon a foundation of quality ingredients. For our Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, each component plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect balance of flavor and texture:

• Chicken Broth & Water: These liquids form the flavorful base of our soup. Opting for a high-quality, low-sodium chicken broth allows you to control the seasoning precisely and ensures a rich, savory foundation.
• Cooked Chicken: The convenience factor of pre-cooked, shredded chicken cannot be overstated. Whether you’re using leftover roasted chicken, poached chicken breasts, or a succulent rotisserie chicken, this ingredient saves significant time and adds hearty, tender protein.
• Quick-Cooking Long Grain and Wild Rice with Seasoning Packet: This specific type of rice blend is the secret to the “quick” aspect of this recipe. The quick-cooking variety ensures the rice softens beautifully in a short amount of time, and the accompanying seasoning packet (often found in brands like Rice-A-Roni) is ingeniously incorporated into our roux for an extra layer of savory flavor. Wild rice itself contributes a distinctive earthy, nutty taste and a satisfying chewiness that elevates the soup.
• Butter & All-Purpose Flour: These two ingredients are fundamental for creating the classic roux, the thickening agent that gives our soup its signature creamy and substantial body. The butter provides richness, while the flour creates a smooth, luscious texture when cooked properly.
• Heavy Cream: This is the hero ingredient for that luxurious, velvety consistency and deeply rich flavor that defines a “creamy” soup. It transforms the broth into a truly indulgent and comforting experience. For a slightly lighter soup, half-and-half can be a good substitute, though it will be less rich.
• Salt & Ground Black Pepper: These basic seasonings are absolutely crucial for enhancing and balancing all the other flavors in the soup. They awaken the palate and ensure every spoonful is perfectly seasoned.

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Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Recipe by Addrecipes

3.7 from 25 votes

Course: Soups, Stews And Chili RecipesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Medium

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Total time

35

minutes

This Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is the ideal solution for transforming simple ingredients into a gourmet experience. It harmoniously combines succulent chicken, robust wild rice, and a medley of subtle flavors in a rich, velvety broth. Quick to prepare in just 35 minutes, this wholesome, homemade dish is elevated by the indulgent notes of butter and heavy cream, making it a beloved choice for any family dinner or special gathering. It’s truly comfort in a bowl!

Ingredients You’ll Need

To create this soul-warming Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, gather these essential ingredients. Freshness makes a difference!

• 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium recommended)

• 2 cups water

• 2 cooked, boneless chicken breast halves, shredded (approx. 1.5 – 2 cups shredded chicken; perfect for leftovers or rotisserie chicken)

• 1 (4.5 ounce) package quick cooking long grain and wild rice with seasoning packet (such as Rice-A-Roni Long Grain & Wild Rice Mix)

• 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (freshly ground is always best)

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (for thickening the roux)

• 1/2 cup butter (unsalted, cut into pieces)

• 2 cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)

Step-by-Step Directions to Creamy Perfection

Follow these detailed steps to create a hearty and comforting bowl of Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup. Pay close attention to the roux for the best creamy texture!

• Step 1: Prepare the Base. In a large, sturdy pot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken broth, water, and shredded cooked chicken. Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture just to a gentle boil. As soon as it starts boiling, carefully stir in the quick-cooking wild rice (remember to reserve the seasoning packet for later! This is key for developing rich flavor in the roux). Once the rice is added, immediately cover the pot and remove it from the heat. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the liquid and soften while you prepare the creamy element. This initial steeping ensures the rice cooks perfectly without becoming mushy.
• Step 2: Craft the Creamy Roux. While the rice is steeping, grab a small bowl and combine the salt, pepper, and all-purpose flour. Mix well and set aside. In a separate, medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter is fully melted and slightly bubbly, stir in the contents of the reserved wild rice seasoning packet. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the mixture is fragrant and bubbly. This step toasts the spices and enhances their flavor. Reduce the heat to low, then gradually stir in the flour mixture, a tablespoon at a time, continuously whisking to form a smooth roux. Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, allowing the flour to cook out its raw taste without browning. Next, slowly whisk in the heavy cream, adding a little at a time to prevent lumps, until it’s fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth and lump-free. Continue to cook this creamy mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency, usually about 5 minutes. This creates a rich, velvety base for your soup.
• Step 3: Combine and Simmer. Pour the thickened cream mixture from the saucepan into the large pot with the chicken and rice. Stir everything together thoroughly until the cream is evenly distributed throughout the soup, ensuring no lumps remain. Return the large pot to medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the entire soup is heated through and simmering gently. This usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid bringing it to a rolling boil once the cream is added to prevent curdling. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt or pepper if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup!

Tips for the Best Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Achieving a restaurant-quality creamy soup at home is easier than you think with these expert tips:

• Don’t Rush the Roux: The roux is key to a smooth, thick soup. Cooking the flour in butter for a full 1-2 minutes (while stirring constantly) helps cook out the raw flour taste and prevents your soup from tasting pasty or gritty. Aim for a light golden color, but don’t let it burn.
• Gradual Cream Addition: When adding the heavy cream to the roux, do it slowly, pouring in a thin stream while whisking vigorously. This technique helps emulsify the fat and liquid, ensuring a perfectly smooth, lump-free consistency every time.
• Taste and Adjust: Always taste your soup before serving and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Different brands of chicken broth and wild rice seasoning packets can vary significantly in sodium content, so trust your palate!
• Pre-Cooked Chicken is Essential for Speed: Using already cooked chicken is what makes this soup so quick to prepare. Shredded rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut, providing tender, flavorful meat without any extra cooking time.
• Prevent Curdling: After the heavy cream has been added, avoid bringing the soup to a rapid, rolling boil. A gentle simmer is all you need to heat it through, preventing the cream from separating or curdling, which can lead to an undesirable texture.
• Optional Aromatics: For an even deeper flavor, sauté finely diced onions, carrots, and celery in a tablespoon of oil or butter before adding the chicken broth. Cook until softened, then proceed with the recipe.

Delicious Variations & Customizations

This Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is wonderfully versatile, making it easy to adapt to your taste preferences or whatever ingredients you happen to have on hand. Get creative and make it your own!

• Add More Vegetables: Enhance the nutritional value and complexity of flavors by sautéing diced carrots, celery, or mushrooms with the butter before adding the seasoning packet. Frozen peas or corn can also be stirred in during the final simmer for added color and sweetness. Fresh spinach or kale can be wilted in at the very end.
• Herbs & Spices: A pinch of dried thyme, rosemary, or a bay leaf added to the broth can deepen the aromatic profile and impart a more traditional, savory flavor. For a fresh finish, freshly chopped parsley, chives, or dill make excellent garnishes.
• Different Proteins: Cooked turkey (especially Thanksgiving leftovers!) or even shredded pork can be fantastic substitutes for chicken. For a hearty vegetarian option, simply omit the chicken and use vegetable broth, adding extra vegetables, wild mushrooms, or white beans (like cannellini) for substance.
• Vegan-Friendly Version: As mentioned in our FAQ, this soup can be completely vegan. Substitute the chicken broth with a robust vegetable broth, use vegan butter instead of dairy butter, and opt for a plant-based cream alternative such as full-fat coconut milk (for a subtle tropical note) or a store-bought vegan cooking cream to maintain that luxurious creaminess.
• Spicy Kick: If you enjoy a bit of heat, stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the other seasonings for a subtle warmth that complements the rich flavors.
• Cheese Infusion: For an extra layer of richness, stir in a handful of grated Parmesan or Gruyere cheese during the final simmering stage until melted and smooth.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this hearty Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup piping hot, ideally with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives for a burst of color and fresh flavor. It pairs wonderfully with a variety of accompaniments to create a complete and satisfying meal:

• Crusty Bread or Dinner Rolls: Perfect for soaking up every last drop of the rich, creamy broth.
• A Fresh Green Salad: A light, crisp salad with a vinaigrette dressing offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the soup.
• Garlic Bread or Cheese Biscuits: Elevate the comfort factor with warm, buttery garlic bread or flaky cheese biscuits.
• Toasted Croutons: Add a delightful crunch by topping your bowl with homemade or store-bought croutons.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

This soup is fantastic for meal prepping or enjoying as leftovers! Here’s how to store and reheat it properly to maintain its deliciousness:

• Storage: Allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: Gently reheat individual portions on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until hot.
• Consistency Adjustment: If the soup has thickened too much in the refrigerator (which is common for cream-based soups), you can add a splash of extra chicken broth, milk, or cream while reheating to reach your desired consistency. Avoid bringing it to a hard boil during reheating to prevent the cream from separating.
• Freezing: While technically possible, cream-based soups can sometimes separate or become grainy when frozen and thawed. If you plan to freeze, it’s best to freeze the broth and rice base *before* adding the cream. Then, add the cream after thawing and reheating the base.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Q: Does this soup take a lot of time to make?

A: Not at all! This Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is designed for speed and convenience. The active preparation time is less than 30 minutes, with a total time of about 35 minutes from start to finish. You’ll simply prepare your flavorful base, craft a quick and easy roux, and combine – it’s that efficient!

Q: Can I make this soup vegan?

A: Yes, absolutely! To make this recipe vegan-friendly, you’ll need to make a few simple yet effective substitutions. Replace the chicken broth with a good quality vegetable broth, use vegan butter instead of dairy butter, and opt for a plant-based cream alternative such as full-fat coconut milk (be aware it will impart a subtle coconut flavor) or a store-bought vegan cooking cream to achieve that desired creaminess. You can also substitute the chicken with extra vegetables like mushrooms, diced carrots, or hearty cannellini beans for added protein and texture.

Q: Are there any other options for garnishing the soup?

A: Yes, garnishes can truly elevate both the flavor and visual appeal of your soup! To make your soup even more delicious and inviting, consider topping it with freshly chopped chives or parsley for a burst of freshness, crispy bacon bits or crumbled cooked sausage for a savory crunch, a swirl of extra cream for an elegant touch, or even some toasted croutons for added texture. Diced fresh tomatoes can also add a vibrant burst of color and a touch of acidity.

Q: Can I use uncooked chicken in this recipe?

A: While the recipe is optimized for quick cooking with pre-cooked chicken, you can certainly use uncooked chicken. Simply dice raw chicken breast or thighs into small pieces and sauté them in the pot with a tablespoon of oil or butter until they are fully cooked through before adding the broth and water. This will add approximately 5-7 minutes to your total cooking time.

Q: How can I make this soup lighter?

A: For a lighter version of this delicious soup, you have several options. You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or even evaporated milk, though be aware that the texture will be slightly less rich and the color might be a bit different. You can also reduce the amount of butter used for the roux, or increase the proportion of chicken broth relative to the cream. Additionally, incorporating more vegetables like finely chopped celery, carrots, and spinach will add bulk and nutrients while keeping the soup light.

Q: What kind of wild rice package should I use?

A: Look for a “quick-cooking” or “fast-cooking” long grain and wild rice mix, typically found in the rice or pasta aisle of your grocery store. Brands like Rice-A-Roni often have these with a seasoning packet included. Using a quick-cooking variety is essential for the stated 35-minute total time.

Conclusion: Your New Favorite Comfort Meal Awaits!

This Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is more than just a meal; it’s an experience of comfort, convenience, and incredible flavor, all made right in your own kitchen. It’s the perfect answer to “what’s for dinner?” when you’re short on time but craving something truly satisfying and homemade. With its rich, velvety broth, tender chicken, and hearty wild rice, it’s bound to become a staple in your recipe repertoire, bringing warmth and joy to your table again and again. So, gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and prepare to savor every spoonful of this delightful, easy-to-make soup!