Name: Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3/4 cup uncooked wild rice blend; 1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 small onion); 1 cup diced carrots (2 medium carrots); 1 cup diced celery (3 ribs); 7 Tbsp butter, diced, divided; 1 large garlic clove, minced (1 1/2 tsp); 4 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1/4 tsp dried thyme; 1/4 tsp dried marjoram; 1/4 tsp dried sage; 1/4 tsp dried rosemary; Salt and ground black pepper, to taste; 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts halves; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 cups milk; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 tsp lemon zest

If you’re craving something cozy, filling, and downright delicious, let me share with you my **Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe**. I absolutely love how this soup brings together tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and a luscious creamy broth that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a weekend comfort meal, you’ll find that this soup is both easy to make and ridiculously satisfying. Stick around — I promise you’re going to want to make this again and again!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hearty and Nourishing: Packed with protein and fiber, this soup keeps you full and satisfied for hours.
Creamy Without Being Overly Rich: The balance of milk, cream, and butter makes it silky smooth yet never too heavy.
Wild Rice Adds Texture and Flavor: You aren’t just getting plain old chicken soup — the rice gives a subtle nuttiness that’s irresistible.
Perfect For Any Season: Light enough for spring yet comforting enough for fall, this soup fits the bill year-round.

A close-up of a white speckled bowl filled with creamy soup that has a white base layer mixed with small shredded pieces of light-colored meat, dark wild rice grains, bright orange carrot chunks, and light green celery pieces spread evenly throughout. The bowl is sitting on a round wooden plate, accompanied by a silver spoon on the left side and a light beige square cracker in front. The scene is set against a white marbled background with a folded dark red cloth to the right. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, hearty chicken soup with wild rice, comforting creamy chicken and wild rice, easy chicken and wild rice soup, nourishing chicken wild rice soup

Ingredients You’ll Need

I’ve chosen ingredients that not only blend beautifully together but also bring out the best in each other. When shopping, fresh veggies and quality chicken broth make a noticeable difference in flavor — you’ll thank yourself later!

Flat lay of a small mound of uncooked wild rice blend with black, brown, and white grains, a small pile of diced bright orange carrots, a cluster of three fresh celery ribs sliced, a small heap of chopped pale yellow onion, a whole uncracked brown egg, a few sprigs of fresh green thyme and rosemary, a pat of golden butter cut into small cubes, a small white bowl filled with white all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of smooth heavy cream, a small white bowl of creamy milk, a small white bowl containing minced fresh garlic, a raw boneless skinless chicken breast half with fresh pink skin, and a small pile of finely grated lemon zest, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions on a simple white ceramic plate and bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, hearty chicken soup with wild rice, comforting creamy chicken and wild rice, easy chicken and wild rice soup, nourishing chicken wild rice soup

Wild Rice Blend: A mix of wild and brown rice gives you that perfect chewy texture that packs a nutty punch.
Yellow Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the soup when sautéed just right.
Carrots: Their natural sweetness contrasts nicely with the savory broth.
Celery: Brings a slight crunch and that classic soup flavor base.
Butter: Divided use here gives richness and helps create that silky roux for the creamy texture.
Garlic: One clove goes a long way in brightening the broth’s flavor.
Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Essential for controlling saltiness and letting other flavors shine.
Herbs – Thyme, Marjoram, Sage, Rosemary: These herbs add that homemade cozy vibe; fresh if you can get them, dried works well too.
Chicken Breasts: Skinless and boneless for quick cooking and easy shredding.
All-Purpose Flour: Combines with butter to thicken the soup to creamy perfection.
Milk and Heavy Cream: Together, they create a luscious, velvety finish without overpowering the soup.
Lemon Zest: A fresh pop at the end brightens the whole bowl wonderfully.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Over time, I’ve played around with this Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe to fit different tastes, and I encourage you to do the same! Don’t hesitate to adjust herbs or swap proteins to make it your own.

Use Turkey Instead of Chicken: After Thanksgiving, leftover turkey makes an amazing substitute that keeps the soup hearty and flavorful.
Dairy-Free Version: Swap the milk and cream for coconut milk or cashew cream to make this soup creamy without dairy.
Add Mushrooms: I love tossing in sliced mushrooms with the veggies to boost umami and texture.
Vegetarian Adaptation: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and use firm tofu or chickpeas for protein, plus omit the chicken altogether.

How to Make Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Wild Rice

Start by cooking your wild rice blend according to the package instructions. This usually takes around 45 minutes. Here’s the trick — start it first because you’ll add it to the soup later. Halfway through cooking, you’ll move on to prepping your soup base so everything comes together smoothly.

Step 2: Sauté Your Veggies

In a large pot, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add your chopped onion, diced carrots, and celery — this trio forms the soul of your soup. Sauté for about 4 minutes until softened but still vibrant. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for an extra 30 seconds, just until fragrant — don’t let it burn!

Step 3: Build the Broth and Cook the Chicken

Pour in the chicken broth, then sprinkle in the dried (or fresh) thyme, marjoram, sage, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Crank the heat up to medium-high and gently add the chicken breasts. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to a gentle simmer.

This part is key: cook the chicken for 12 to 16 minutes, flipping it halfway through if your breasts are thick, so they cook evenly. If they’re not fully submerged in broth, flipping them ensures juiciness all around. Once cooked, set the chicken aside to cool a bit before shredding it into bite-sized pieces.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Roux

While your chicken rests, melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and whisk constantly for about 1 ½ minutes to cook off that raw flour taste. Here’s what I discovered: slow and steady wins the race — don’t rush the whisking!

Then, slowly pour in the milk while whisking vigorously to avoid lumps. Stir in the heavy cream and continue cooking until the mixture thickens to a rich, velvety sauce. This step is what transforms the soup from simple to creamy and indulgent.

Step 5: Combine and Finish Your Soup

Pour the creamy milk mixture into your pot with broth and veggies, then fold in the shredded chicken and cooked wild rice. Don’t forget the lemon zest — it adds just the right brightness that wakes up all those rich flavors. Give everything a good stir and remove from heat.

At this point, I usually let it cool for a few minutes — it thickens up slightly as it rests and tastes even better than when piping hot. Trust me on this!

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Pro Tips for Making Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Cook Rice Separately: Wild rice takes longer than other ingredients, so starting it first prevents overcooked veggies or tough chicken.
Use Low-Sodium Broth: This gives you control over saltiness — you can always add more later but never take it away.
Whisk Constantly When Making Roux: To avoid lumps and burn spots, keep the mixture moving while adding milk and cream.
Don’t Skip Lemon Zest: It’s a small addition that wakes up flavors and prevents the soup from tasting flat or overly creamy.

How to Serve Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Two white bowls filled with thick creamy soup that has visible layers of orange carrot pieces, pale green celery chunks, shredded white meat, and small bits of dark wild rice mixed in. Each bowl sits on a round wooden plate with a spoon resting against it. Around the bowls are square saltine crackers placed on a white marbled surface. A deep red cloth is arranged to the side, adding a splash of color. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, hearty chicken soup with wild rice, comforting creamy chicken and wild rice, easy chicken and wild rice soup, nourishing chicken wild rice soup

Garnishes

I love topping this soup with chopped fresh parsley or thyme for a pop of green and freshness. Sometimes I sprinkle a little cracked black pepper and even a dash of smoked paprika to give it a slight smoky warmth. These simple additions trick your senses into thinking you ordered from a fancy restaurant — right at home.

Side Dishes

Crusty bread is my go-to here, something you can dunk into the soup to soak up that gorgeous creamy broth. I also like serving it alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance out the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party or special occasion, I’ve served this soup in hollowed-out mini pumpkins or bread bowls — it instantly dresses up the presentation and impresses guests. Adding a swirl of cream or a sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds on top makes it feel celebration-ready.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator, where the soup keeps beautifully for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld together more, so leftovers sometimes taste even better the next day.

Freezing

This soup freezes well! I portion it out into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently over low heat on the stove, stirring occasionally.

Reheating

I reheat this creamy chicken and wild rice soup slowly on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring often to prevent the cream from separating or the soup from scorching. If it’s too thick after refrigeration, a splash of milk or broth helps restore the silky consistency.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of wild rice in this soup?

Yes, you can substitute brown rice for wild rice, but keep in mind that wild rice offers a distinctive nutty flavor and chewy texture that pairs beautifully with this soup. Brown rice will work fine but the taste and texture will be a bit different. You may also need to adjust cooking time based on the rice you choose.
How do I avoid the soup becoming too thick or separating?

The key is to whisk the roux well and add the milk slowly while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. When reheating, do it gently over low heat and add a splash of liquid if it feels too thick. Avoid boiling the soup after adding the milk and cream, as high heat can cause separation.
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

You can absolutely adapt this Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe for a slow cooker—just cook the rice separately and add it near the end to keep it from getting mushy. Cook the chicken, veggies, and broth on low for 4 to 6 hours, then stir in the roux and cream off heat to thicken the soup before serving.
Is this soup suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! This soup is fantastic for meal prep because it stores well and even tastes better the next day. Make a big batch, portion it out, and enjoy easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s the perfect comfort food that’s simple enough for a weekday but impressive enough when friends drop by. I love how satisfying it is without being overwhelming, and I know you’re going to feel the same once you’ve had your first bowl. So put on your favorite comfy sweater, grab a big spoon, and get cooking — your new favorite soup awaits!