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Creamy Comfort Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

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A rich and creamy chicken and wild rice soup that balances hearty texture with smooth, comforting flavors. Perfect for cozy dinners and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup wild rice blend (wild and brown rice mix)
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 6 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Rinse and pat dry the chicken thighs. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add diced onion, celery, and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 2 to 3 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
  4. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, ensuring no lumps form. Add thyme, bay leaf, and the seasoned chicken thighs. Bring to a gentle boil.
  5. Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 30 minutes to cook the chicken and meld flavors.
  6. Stir in the wild rice blend and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes, or until rice is tender but still chewy. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  7. Remove chicken thighs and discard the bay leaf. Shred the chicken meat with two forks and return it to the pot.
  8. Using an immersion blender, puree about one-third of the soup directly in the pot. Alternatively, blend a few cups in a regular blender and stir back in.
  9. Stir in the heavy cream and warm through for 5 minutes without boiling to prevent curdling.
  10. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Do not skip the roux step for a velvety texture. Simmer gently to avoid mushy rice and chicken. Partial blending adds creaminess without heavy cream reliance. Use bone-in chicken for richer broth. Adjust cooking time if using brown rice instead of wild rice. For gluten-free, substitute flour with almond or rice flour. For dairy-free, use coconut milk or cashew cream instead of heavy cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken soup, wild rice soup, creamy soup, comfort food, easy dinner, homemade soup, cozy meal

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/creamy-comfort-chicken-and-wild-rice-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-meal/