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Creamy Comfort Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

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A warm, creamy chicken and wild rice soup that is easy to make, comforting, and perfect for cozy dinners. This recipe balances nutty wild rice with tender chicken and a luscious creamy broth without heavy cream.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound / 450 g), cubed or shredded after cooking
  • 3/4 cup (130 g) wild rice or wild rice blend
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) whole milk or half-and-half
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: zest of half a lemon

Instructions

  1. Cube the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Chop the onion, dice the celery and carrots, and mince the garlic. Set aside.
  2. Rinse the wild rice under cold water, then add it to a pot with 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 40-45 minutes or until the rice is tender but still chewy. Drain any excess water and set aside.
  3. In a large soup pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, about 6-8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook another 1-2 minutes, careful not to brown it.
  4. Sprinkle the flour over the softened vegetables and stir well to coat. Cook for 2-3 minutes to remove the raw flour taste, stirring constantly until the mixture bubbles gently and thickens slightly.
  5. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth to avoid lumps. Stir in the bay leaf and thyme. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  6. Add the cubed chicken to the pot. Simmer gently for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Season with salt and pepper as you go.
  7. Once the chicken is cooked, add the cooked wild rice and milk. Stir well and heat through for another 5-7 minutes. Adjust thickness with more broth or milk if needed.
  8. Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasonings. If using, stir in lemon zest for brightness. Serve hot.

Notes

Keep heat low after adding milk to prevent curdling. Stir gently and avoid boiling vigorously. Let soup rest 10-15 minutes off heat before serving to meld flavors. Rinse wild rice before cooking to remove grit. Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch for gluten-free version. Swap milk and butter for dairy-free alternatives as needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken soup, wild rice soup, creamy chicken soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, homemade soup, cozy dinner

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/creamy-comfort-chicken-and-wild-rice-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-bowl-of-warmth/