Chicken Wild Rice Soup

This Chicken and Wild Rice Soup recipe is a cozy “comfort food” that is healthy, wholesome, and ladened with chunks of onions, celery, and carrots. Both wild and brown rice add amazing texture for a truly satisfying bowl of warmth during cold wintry evenings. A soup recipe that is both quick and super easy with only a little bit of effort required. 

There are plenty of “brothy” soups out in the recipe world with lots of flavors. But if I’m gonna devour a bowl of soup, I want it to be loaded with depth and texture which this recipe provides in abundance. This chicken rice soup recipe employs large chunks of carrots, celery, and onions. When you dip your soup spoon in, you’re coming out with hunks of these veggies.

Speaking of “loaded” soups, my Homemade Chicken Noodle Recipe is filled to the brim with chunks of tender white chicken breasts. And check out this Chicken Tortilla Soup that has tons of flavor and texture as well. 

Ingredients

• Wild Rice – this adds a nutty flavor along with a chewy texture
• Long Grain Brown Rice – because brown rice is higher in fiber, magnesium and other nutrients, it is a healthier choice than white rice. Although, you can sub for white if you prefer. 
• Kosher Salt
• Yellow Onion – these onions are perfect for soups as they don’t break down as quickly as say a sweet onion. They have a more pungent flavor that complements the other ingredients.
• Carrots – chopped into large chunks
• Celery Stalks – chopped into large chunks
• Garlic Cloves – with chopped or minced
• Organic Chicken Stock – I always grab chicken stock over broth. It is richer with more depth of flavor. 
• Chicken breasts, Boneless and Skinless
• Petite Dice Tomatoes, Fire Roasted (I prefer Muir Glen)
• Fresh Thyme – this adds a nice fresh finish to the dish with a pop of color

How to Make Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe 

• Cook the Wild and Brown Rice together. Before you start the soup recipe, begin making the wild rice mixture using one cup each of wild rice and long-grain brown rice according to stove-top directions or in an instant pot. (see notes in recipe card for instructions.)

• Cook the Vegetables until Tender – Cook the onions, carrots, and celery over medium-high heat with one or two tablespoons of olive oil until tender, about 8-10 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds to one minute. If the garlic is overcooked, it will leave an unpleasant bitter taste. 

• Add Chicken Stock – Add four cups of chicken stock to the same pan which is enough to cover the vegetables and the chicken breasts that are added in the next step. 

• Add Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts – Make sure the chicken is covered with the stock. If not, add a little bit more to the pot. Slowly bring it back to a low boil and reduce the heat to a simmer, where you see tiny bubbles popping up.

• Cube the Chicken into Large Chunks – Remove the chicken breast and let them sit until they’re cool enough to handle. Just like my vegetables, I like large chunks of tender white meat. Some people like to shred the meat at this stage. Either works for this Chicken Wild Rice Soup. 

• Add Canned Petite Diced Tomatoes – The “fire-roasted” choice is a really nice addition because it brings a savory smoky flavor to the chicken soup. 
• Add the Rice Blend, Cubed Chicken, and Thyme – One of the final touches of this Wild Rice Chicken soup that increases its overall complexity and depth of texture is the cooked wild and brown rice added at the end. The final touch is the cubed cooked chicken that goes back into the stock along with two tablespoons of chopped thyme. 

What is Best? Canned or fresh tomatoes 

Because canned tomatoes are harvested at the peak of tomato season, these ripe tomatoes are available off-season. So when tomatoes are not in season, reach for the can on the shelf because it really is a healthy choice.

Can you use Leftover or Rotisserie Chicken?

Yes! Just make sure and add it last when you add the rice, otherwise, it can become tough and dry.

Can You Make this Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe Ahead of Time?

Soup in general is ideal to make in advance. It seems to always taste better on the second day. 

• To store in the Refrigerator. Make sure the soup is completely cooled to room temperature and then you can place the entire pot in the refrigerator. It can be stored in the fridge for three to five days.
• To store in the Freezer. This soup freezes wonderfully. Again, let it cool completely then ladle it into a larger airtight container or freezer bags that lay flat in the freezer. It can be stored there for up to three months. 

Chicken Rice Soup Variations

• Use Different Grains Instead of the wild rice blend, substitute 3 cups of cooked orzo (this is pasta that looks like a grain) instead. If you wanted to make it even heartier you can use cooked barley or farro with the same measurements. 
• Make it Creamy. Make a roux for thickening the soup. Melt one-half cup of butter in a saucepan. Whisk in one-half cup of all-purpose flour and stir until smooth and let it bubble for one minute. Slowly whisk in one and a half cups of whole milk, and cook until it becomes thick and creamy. Add this to the broth before the rice and chicken.

What to Serve with this recipe

• Bread is always a great choice. My Homemade Dinner Rolls are soft and pillowy and would be perfect alongside this soup. Or for convenience’s sake, grab a loaf of french bread or whole-grain bread at the grocery store. Heat, slice and serve.
• A side salad – Simple is the idea here. There’s a lot going on in this Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe, so a light Cesear salad would be perfect.

Is This Chicken Wild Rice Soup Good for You?

• Both types of rice, wild and brown, provide a superb source of nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants. So not only does it add the texture and flavor that we love, but the health benefits are amazing and well worth the extra work.
• The veggies included in this recipe have so many health benefits. Not only do they provide bold flavors and great aroma, but they are also a wonderful source of many vitamins and antioxidants. The vegetables in this recipe are heart-healthy ones and help boost your immune system while fighting inflammation.  

And there you have it – a rewarding, soul-gratifying soup that will add some warmth to your life during these long cold evenings. Right here is a pan of cozy comfort that is soooooo simple and promises to hit that hunger spot in your belly. Give it a try! I guarantee this Chicken Soup with Rice Recipe will be in your meal rotation this winter.

More Soup or Chili Recipes

Healthy Ground Turkey Chili

Tomato Basil Bisque

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Homemade Chicken and Noodles

Beef Stroganoff (Flambé)

Chicken in White Wine Sauce

Puff Pastry Chicken Pot Pie

Beef Short Rib Chili

Follow me on Pinterest – lingeralittle

Print