Description
Hearty crockpot chicken wild rice soup delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending tender chicken, earthy wild rice, and creamy broth. Warm, nourishing spoonfuls promise pure satisfaction with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (454 grams) boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Main Grains and Vegetables:
- 1 cup (185 grams) uncooked wild rice (not a blend)
- 1 cup (150 grams) chopped carrots
- 1 cup (100 grams) chopped celery
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquid Base:
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) low-sodium chicken broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Creamy Base (optional):
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) butter
- ⅓ cup (40 grams) flour
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk (or half-and-half)
Instructions
- Prepare the crockpot by combining chicken, wild rice, diced carrots, chopped celery, minced onion, crushed garlic, aromatic bay leaves, fragrant thyme, and fresh parsley into the slow cooker vessel.
- Pour chicken broth over the ingredients and generously season with salt and ground black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
- Secure the crockpot lid and allow the mixture to simmer gently on low temperature for 6-7 hours, or alternatively on high temperature for 4-5 hours until the chicken becomes perfectly tender and the wild rice reaches a soft, plump consistency.
- Carefully extract the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and use two forks to meticulously shred the meat into delicate, bite-sized pieces.
- Return the shredded chicken back into the crockpot, ensuring even distribution throughout the soup.
- Create a luxurious creamy base by melting butter in a separate saucepan over medium heat, then gradually whisk in flour to create a smooth roux.
- Slowly incorporate milk into the roux, continuously whisking to prevent lumps and achieve a silky, thick consistency.
- Gently fold the creamy mixture into the crockpot, stirring thoroughly to integrate the rich, velvety sauce with the existing soup.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed to perfect the flavor balance.
- Ladle the steaming, creamy wild rice chicken soup into serving bowls and enjoy immediately while hot.
Notes
- Adapt the wild rice composition by mixing different rice varieties like brown or white rice for varied textures and nutritional profiles.
- Control sodium levels by using low-sodium broth and reducing added salt, making the soup heart-friendly and diet-conscious.
- Customize the protein source by substituting chicken with turkey, tofu, or plant-based alternatives for vegetarian or diverse dietary preferences.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like spinach, kale, or mushrooms during the last hour of cooking for increased vitamins and minerals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 68 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg