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Best Creamy Copycat Panera Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Copycat Panera Chicken Wild Rice Soup - featured image
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A creamy, hearty copycat of Panera’s Chicken and Wild Rice Soup that’s easy to make with simple ingredients. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup dry sherry (optional)
  • 1 cup uncooked wild rice
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent and the veggies are soft.
  2. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the veggies and stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
  3. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring. Add the dry sherry if using. Scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  4. Stir in the wild rice, fresh thyme, and bay leaf. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 40-45 minutes until the rice is tender but still has a slight chew.
  5. While the rice cooks, shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  6. Once the rice is tender, remove the bay leaf. Stir in the shredded chicken and heavy cream. Let it simmer for 5 more minutes to heat through.
  7. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. If the soup is too thick, add a splash of broth or water. If too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes.
  8. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot with crusty bread or a side salad.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, swap butter for olive oil and use full-fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream. The soup tastes even better the next day. Add a splash of broth when reheating as it thickens upon standing.

Nutrition

Keywords: Panera copycat, chicken wild rice soup, creamy soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe

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