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Bowl of creamy chicken and wild rice soup with shredded chicken, carrots, celery, and wild rice in a rich, creamy broth topped with fresh parsley.

Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

This creamy chicken and wild rice soup is rich, hearty, and perfect for a cozy dinner. Made with tender chicken, wild rice, carrots, celery, and a creamy herb broth, it delivers classic comfort in every bite. A satisfying one-pot soup for weeknights, meal prep, or cold-weather dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 3 carrots diced
  • 3 celery ribs diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • Pinch dried rosemary optional
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 7 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • ¾ cup wild rice blend rinsed
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ¾ cup half-and-half
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice optional
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley optional

Method
 

Build the base
  1. Heat olive oil and butter in a large soup pot over medium heat.
  2. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook 6–8 minutes until softened.
  3. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Bloom herbs
  1. Add thyme, rosemary (if using), and bay leaf. Stir briefly.
Simmer chicken
  1. Add chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
  2. Add chicken and simmer 15–18 minutes until cooked through.
  3. Remove chicken and shred.
Cook the rice
  1. Add wild rice to the simmering broth. Cover partially and cook 40–45 minutes, until grains split and are tender.
Thicken
  1. In a small bowl, whisk flour with milk until smooth.
  2. Stir into soup and simmer 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.
Finish
  1. Stir in half-and-half and shredded chicken. Heat gently — do not boil.
  2. Remove bay leaf. Adjust salt and pepper.
  3. Add lemon juice if desired.
Serve
  1. Garnish with parsley.

Notes

  • Wild rice continues absorbing liquid; add broth when reheating if needed.
  • For freezing, freeze without dairy and stir cream in after thawing.
  • Thighs provide richer flavor; breasts stay lighter.
  • For thicker soup, simmer uncovered 5 additional minutes before adding cream.