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Creamy Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup

creamy crockpot chicken wild rice soup - featured image

A cozy, creamy soup with tender chicken and hearty wild rice, perfect for winter comfort and easy crockpot cooking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
  • 1 cup wild rice blend (about 190g)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth (1.4 liters)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Optional but recommended: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
  2. Add the sautéed (or raw) vegetables to the crockpot. Pour in 6 cups of chicken broth and stir in dried thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper (start with 1 teaspoon salt and adjust later).
  3. Place the chicken breasts on top of the broth and vegetables. Sprinkle the wild rice blend evenly over everything. Stir gently to combine slightly, but do not submerge the chicken completely.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and wild rice is tender but still slightly chewy. Alternatively, cook on high for 2-3 hours, checking rice texture.
  5. Remove chicken breasts and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir well.
  6. Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and stir to blend. Let the soup warm for another 10 minutes on low to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  7. Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley or cracked black pepper before serving.

Notes

Sautéing the vegetables before adding to the crockpot deepens flavor but can be skipped for convenience. Use thawed chicken for even cooking. Add cream at the end to prevent curdling. Adjust seasoning after cooking. If soup is too thick after adding cream, stir in extra broth or water.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken soup, crockpot soup, wild rice soup, comfort food, slow cooker recipe, winter soup, easy chicken soup