Chicken Wild Rice Soup (Printer View)

A warm soup combining tender chicken, wild rice, and carrots in a rich broth.

# What you'll need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced

→ Grains

02 - 3/4 cup uncooked wild rice, rinsed

→ Vegetables

03 - 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

07 - 7 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Herbs & Seasonings

08 - 1 bay leaf
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

→ Fats

13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

# Method:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and diced celery. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until vegetables soften.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add wild rice, chicken broth, bay leaf, thyme, and rosemary. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes until rice is tender.
04 - Add cooked chicken to the pot. Simmer for an additional 5 to 8 minutes to heat through.
05 - Remove the bay leaf. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
06 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in just over an hour, yet tastes like it's been simmering all day.
  • Wild rice has this satisfying nuttiness that makes you feel like you're eating something truly nourishing, not just convenient.
  • One pot means less cleanup and more time enjoying the soup while it's still steaming.
02 -
  • Wild rice takes longer than white or brown rice—don't panic when it's still chewy at the 30-minute mark; it needs that full 40-plus minutes to reach tender.
  • If your broth tastes thin or weak, it's because the rice hasn't had time to release its starch into the liquid; simmer a few extra minutes and it transforms completely.
03 -
  • Rinsing wild rice before cooking removes dust and excess starch, which prevents the soup from becoming cloudy or gluey.
  • If your wild rice still seems crunchy after 45 minutes, don't add more broth—just cover and let it steam for another 10 minutes off the heat.
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