Chicken wild rice soup recipe lovers know there’s nothing quite like a warm, creamy bowl filled with tender chicken, earthy wild rice, and fragrant herbs. This comforting dish is hearty enough for chilly nights, nutritious enough for meal prep, and flexible enough to adapt to your flavor preferences. Inspired by the approachable cooking styles of sites like Gimme Some Oven and Iowa Girl Eats, this version delivers a perfect balance of wholesome ingredients and rich, satisfying taste.

Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe

This creamy chicken wild rice soup recipe is warm, hearty, and full of flavor. Made with tender shredded chicken, nutty wild rice, and fresh vegetables simmered in a rich, comforting broth, this soup is perfect for cozy dinners or weekly meal prep.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 6 people

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American Comfort Food

Calories: 320

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 Tbsp butter or olive oil
• 1 yellow onion diced
• 2 –3 carrots diced
• 2 celery stalks diced
• 4 –6 cloves garlic minced
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 cup uncooked wild rice or wild rice blend
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp poultry seasoning
• 1 –2 bay leaves
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 cup milk half-and-half, or dairy-free milk
• 2 Tbsp flour or cornstarch slurry optional, for thickening
• Fresh parsley or spinach optional

Method

 

1. Heat butter or olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–6 minutes or until softened.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
4. Add the chicken breasts or thighs, uncooked wild rice, chicken broth, thyme, poultry seasoning, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 40–50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
6. Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the pot.
7. Stir in the milk (or dairy-free alternative).
8. For a thicker soup, whisk flour or cornstarch with 2–3 Tbsp water and add it to the pot. Cook for 3–5 minutes until thickened.
9. Add spinach or parsley and stir until wilted.
10. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving.

Notes

• Use real wild rice, not black rice, to prevent discoloration.
• Chicken thighs stay juicier than chicken breasts.
• For dairy-free, use almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
• Soup will thicken as it cools; add broth when reheating if needed.
• Wild rice may take longer to cook depending on the brand.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe

• Naturally hearty and wholesome thanks to wild rice
• Easy one-pot recipe, ideal for home cooks of all skill levels
• Customizable make it creamy or dairy-free
• Meal-prep friendly with fantastic leftovers
• Loaded with vegetables and comforting herbs

Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp butter or olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2–3 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4–6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb boneless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 cup uncooked wild rice (or wild rice blend)
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp poultry seasoning
• 1–2 bay leaves
• Salt & black pepper to taste
• 1 cup milk, half-and-half, or dairy-free alternative
• 2 Tbsp flour or cornstarch slurry (optional, for thickening)
• Fresh parsley or spinach (optional)

Instructions

1. Sauté the vegetables
   Heat butter or oil in a large pot. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, then stir in garlic.
2. Add chicken, rice, broth & seasonings
   Place chicken directly into the pot. Add wild rice, thyme, poultry seasoning, bay leaves, and broth. Stir well.
3. Simmer
   Cover and cook on medium-low for 40–50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
4. Shred the chicken
   Remove chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
5. Make it creamy (optional)
   Stir in milk or a dairy-free alternative.
   If you want it thicker, whisk in flour or cornstarch slurry and simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Taste & adjust
   Season with salt, pepper, and herbs to taste. Fold in spinach or parsley before serving.

Tips for the Best Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe

✔ Use real wild rice

It gives the soup its signature chew and earthy flavor.

✔ Shred chicken thighs for extra tenderness

Thighs stay juicy and flavorful even after long simmering.

✔ Add greens at the end

Spinach or kale adds nutrients without overpowering the broth.

✔ Adjust thickness to your liking

• Thicker: add a flour or cornstarch slurry
• Thinner: add more broth or milk

Storing & Meal Prep

• Refrigerate 4–5 days
• Freeze without dairy added (add cream after reheating)
• Wild rice will continue absorbing liquid, so add extra broth when reheating

Final Thoughts

This chicken wild rice soup recipe is everything a comfort dish should be warm, hearty, nutritious, and packed with cozy flavors. Whether you’re inspired by the clean, bright flavors of Gimme Some Oven or the rich, homestyle taste of Iowa Girl Eats, this version blends both approaches into a satisfying bowl you’ll return to again and again.

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