Description
Hearty chicken wild rice soup simmers with comforting Wisconsin flavors, blending tender chicken and nutty rice into a creamy, soul-warming bowl. Slow cooker magic brings together wholesome ingredients, promising a delightful meal that warms hearts and satisfies hungry families.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds chicken breasts
Vegetables:
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Liquid and Seasonings:
- 8–10 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup wild rice
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
- 0.5 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 0.25 cup flour (gluten-free works too)
- 0.5 cup half and half
- 0.5 cup whole milk
Instructions
- Prepare your cooking surface by gathering all ingredients and dicing onion, chopping carrots and celery, and mincing garlic for maximum flavor development.
- Create a flavor foundation in the crockpot by positioning chicken breasts as the base layer, then generously season with garlic, Italian seasoning, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper for robust taste profiles.
- Arrange vegetable medley directly on top of seasoned chicken, strategically layering diced onions, sliced carrots, and chopped celery to distribute aromatics evenly.
- Establish liquid foundation by pouring chicken broth over the ingredients, carefully sprinkling wild rice and tucking in a bay leaf to infuse additional depth.
- Select cooking method: High setting requires 4-6 hours, while low setting demands 6-8 hours. Confirm doneness when wild rice softens and chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
- Extract chicken from crockpot and meticulously shred using two forks, then return shredded meat to the soup, ensuring even distribution.
- Transform soup’s texture by whisking flour, half and half, and whole milk into a silky smooth mixture, then gradually incorporate into soup while stirring continuously.
- Adjust soup consistency by adding extra broth if needed, creating perfect viscosity for optimal eating experience.
- Serve piping hot in individual bowls, garnishing with fresh parsley and accompanying with crusty bread for a complete, comforting meal.
Notes
- Chicken Versatility: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for varied texture and flavor profiles.
- Rice Selection: Wild rice blend works best, but you can substitute with brown rice or quinoa for different nutritional benefits.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace half and half with coconut milk or almond milk cream for a lactose-free version.
- Meal Prep Magic: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it perfect for make-ahead lunches or quick weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (ot up to 8 hours)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 193 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg