Print

Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup

creamy slow cooker chicken wild rice soup - featured image
Print Recipe

A warm, comforting, and creamy slow cooker chicken wild rice soup perfect for chilly winter evenings. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients and requires minimal prep for a hearty, soul-soothing meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 3/4 cup uncooked wild rice
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil

Instructions

  1. Dice the carrots, celery, and onion; mince the garlic. Trim chicken breasts or thighs and pat dry.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter or warm olive oil. Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until veggies are softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Transfer sautéed veggies to the slow cooker. Add chicken broth, wild rice, dried thyme, sage, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Nestle the chicken pieces into the mixture.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, or until the wild rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through. Alternatively, cook on high for 2 hours but check rice texture often.
  5. Remove the chicken pieces and shred them with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half. Let it warm through for 5-10 minutes with the lid off to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  7. Remove the bay leaf before ladling into bowls. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

Sautéing the vegetables before adding to the slow cooker enhances flavor. Add cream at the end to prevent curdling. If soup is too thick after adding cream, stir in extra broth or water. If too thin, cook uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce. Rinsing wild rice is optional. For dairy-free, substitute cream with coconut milk or cashew cream. For vegetarian, use vegetable broth and substitute chicken with mushrooms or white beans.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, chicken soup, wild rice, creamy soup, winter comfort food, easy recipe, hearty soup

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/creamy-slow-cooker-chicken-wild-rice-soup-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-winter/