Cozy Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe for Chilly Days

Comfort meets convenience in this delightful slow cooker chicken wild rice soup that promises warmth with every spoonful.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a soul-soothing meal perfect for chilly evenings.

Tender chicken pieces nestle among nutty wild rice, while vegetables add vibrant color and nutrition.

Minimal prep work means you can set the slow cooker and focus on enjoying your day.

Fragrant herbs and rich broth infuse each bite with deep, satisfying flavors that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Creamy and substantial, this soup transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

Grab your ladle and get ready to savor a bowl of pure comfort.

FAQs

• What makes wild rice different from regular rice?

Wild rice is actually a grass seed, not a true rice. It’s more nutritious, with higher protein and fiber content, and provides a nuttier, chewier texture compared to white or brown rice.

• Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts directly in the slow cooker. Just add 1-2 hours to the cooking time to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

• Is wild rice blend necessary, or can I substitute?

While wild rice blend adds unique flavor and nutrition, you can substitute with long-grain white rice or brown rice. However, cooking times might slightly vary, so adjust accordingly.

• How do I prevent the chicken from becoming dry?

Cooking chicken in the slow cooker with broth helps keep it moist. Placing the chicken on top of vegetables and not overcooking ensures tender, juicy meat that shreds easily.

Chicken Wild Rice Soup – Cozy Comforts

• Toss ingredients into the slow cooker and let it work its magic, creating a hands-off cooking experience that saves you precious energy and time.
• Packed with tender chicken, hearty wild rice, and colorful vegetables, this soup delivers a wholesome meal that nourishes both body and soul.
• Kids and adults alike will love the creamy texture and mild, comforting flavors that make this soup a crowd-pleasing dinner option for any night of the week.
• Minimal cooking skills required, with basic pantry staples combining to create a restaurant-quality soup that tastes like it took hours to prepare.

What’s Needed for Chicken Wild Rice Soup

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that provides the main source of meat for the soup.
• Wild Rice Blend: Hearty grain mixture that adds texture and nutty flavor to the soup.
• Chicken Broth: Flavorful liquid base that helps cook the ingredients and creates the soup's foundation.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic aromatic vegetables that build a rich and depth of flavor for the soup.
• Garlic: Adds a warm, pungent taste that enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Thyme: Herbal seasoning that brings a subtle earthy and slightly minty note to the soup.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall taste.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and creates a smooth, creamy texture to the finished soup.

Making Chicken Wild Rice Soup in the Slow Cooker

Step 1: Prepare Aromatic Vegetable Base

Chop up fresh onions, crisp carrots, and tender celery into small, uniform pieces.

Finely mince garlic cloves to release their rich, deep flavor.

These vegetables will create a robust foundation for the soup.

Step 2: Layer Ingredients in Slow Cooker

Spread the chopped vegetables and minced garlic evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker.

This creates a flavorful bed for the remaining ingredients.

Step 3: Add Protein and Grains

Gently place whole chicken breasts on top of the vegetable mixture.

Sprinkle a wild rice blend uniformly over the chicken, ensuring even distribution of grains throughout the dish.

Step 4: Pour Liquid and Season

Carefully pour chicken broth into the slow cooker, making sure all ingredients are completely covered.

• Dried thyme
• Salt
• Black pepper

These seasonings will infuse the soup with warm, comforting flavors.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and let it work its magic.

Cook on low setting for approximately 6 hours or on high setting for about 3 hours.

The slow cooking process will tenderize the chicken and meld all the flavors together.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Use two forks to carefully shred the cooked chicken into tender, bite-sized pieces.

Return the shredded chicken to the soup.

Pour in heavy cream and stir gently to create a rich, creamy texture.

The soup is now ready to warm your soul and delight your taste buds.

Tips for Extra-Cozy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

• Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Spread wild rice blend evenly to prevent clumping and guarantee balanced flavor in every spoonful.
• Add enough chicken broth to fully cover ingredients, allowing proper hydration and rich taste development.
• Stir heavy cream gently at the end to create a smooth, luxurious consistency without breaking the cream.
• Use two forks to pull chicken apart for tender, manageable pieces that blend seamlessly with the soup's texture.

The Best Way to Store Chicken Wild Rice Soup

• Store soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze for 2-3 months. Avoid freezing dairy-based soups with cream for best texture.
• Transfer desired portion to microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute warmth evenly. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Pour soup into saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of chicken broth if soup seems too thick. Stir in extra cream if needed to restore original creamy consistency.

What to Eat with Chicken Wild Rice Soup

• Savor Rustic Red Wine Pairing: Complement the hearty soup with a medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir, enhancing the rich chicken and wild rice flavors with its subtle earthiness.
• Craft Crusty Bread Accompaniment: Select a rustic sourdough or artisan whole grain bread to dip into the creamy soup, absorbing the delicious broth and adding delightful textural contrast.
• Create Fresh Herb Salad Side: Prepare a light mixed green salad with crisp arugula, fresh parsley, and a light lemon vinaigrette to balance the soup's creamy and robust profile.
• Boost Crisp White Wine Option: Choose a Chardonnay with moderate oak to match the soup's creamy texture, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the hearty chicken and wild rice base.

Chicken Wild Rice Soup – Creative Tweaks

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace wild rice blend with gluten-free rice or quinoa to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond cream for a lactose-free version.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or white beans and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Sodium Version: Use low-sodium chicken broth and reduce added salt, allowing herbs like thyme to enhance flavor without excess sodium.

Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Comfort meets convenience in this hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup, a creamy blend of tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and savory vegetables. Perfectly balanced flavors and minimal prep make this soup a soothing winter companion you’ll crave on chilly nights.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds / 680 grams)

Grains and Vegetables:

• 1 cup wild rice blend
• 2 cups diced carrots
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Chop onions, carrots, and celery into uniform small pieces; finely mince garlic cloves for enhanced flavor distribution.
2. Transfer prepared vegetables and minced garlic to slow cooker, ensuring even layer across bottom of cooking vessel.
3. Arrange whole chicken breasts directly atop vegetable mixture, creating a protein-rich foundation for the soup.
4. Evenly scatter wild rice blend across chicken and vegetables, allowing grains to settle between ingredients.
5. Gently pour chicken broth until all ingredients are completely submerged; sprinkle dried thyme, kosher salt, and ground black pepper for seasoning.
6. Secure slow cooker lid and set temperature to low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to become tender.
7. Once cooking time completes, carefully remove chicken breasts and use two forks to shred meat into bite-sized pieces.
8. Return shredded chicken to slow cooker; slowly stir in heavy cream until soup reaches a creamy, luxurious consistency.
9. Let soup rest for 5-10 minutes to allow final thickening and temperature equilibration before serving.

Notes

• Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for easy shredding and leaner protein.
• Opt for low-sodium chicken broth to control salt intake and customize seasoning.
• Rinse wild rice blend before adding to remove excess starch and ensure clearer broth texture.
• Replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lighter, dairy-free alternative.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours (on high) or 6 hours (on low)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg