Cozy Creamy Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Comfort flows through every spoonful of this creamy mushroom chicken and wild rice soup that warms hearts on chilly evenings.

Hearty ingredients dance together in a harmonious blend of rich, earthy flavors.

Tender chicken mingles with nutty wild rice, creating a satisfying meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Mushrooms add depth and complexity to this soul-soothing recipe.

Each spoonful promises a delightful journey of textures and tastes that will make you swoon.

Packed with nutrition and bursting with flavor, this soup transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

Dive into this comforting bowl and let its magic transport you to a world of pure deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 5

List Of Ingredients For Creamy Mushroom Chicken And Wild Rice Soup

• Olive Oil: Provides a silky foundation for sautéing vegetables with a heart-healthy Mediterranean touch.
• Chicken Broth: Delivers rich, deep flavor that forms the soup's liquid backbone and enhances overall taste.

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that adds substantial texture and nutrition to the comforting soup.
• Wild Rice: Nutty whole grain that introduces delightful chewiness and earthy undertones.

• Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor boosters that create a robust, depth-filled aromatic base.
• Carrots, Celery: Adds natural sweetness and crisp structure while contributing nutritional value.
• Mushrooms: Provides meaty, umami-rich character with a velvety texture.

• Butter: Creates luxurious richness and helps thicken the soup's base.
• Flour: Essential for creating smooth, lump-free thickening agent.
• Milk: Provides lighter creamy consistency.
• Heavy Cream: Introduces ultimate decadence and silky mouthfeel.

• Thyme, Parsley: Fresh herbs that brighten and elevate the soup's overall flavor profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings that balance and enhance all ingredients.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds vibrant color and fresh herbal note.
• Parmesan Cheese: Optional topping that contributes sharp, salty complexity.

Cooking Tools For Creamy Mushroom Chicken And Wild Rice Soup

• Large pot or Dutch oven: Perfect for building layers of flavor and simmering the soup comfortably.
• Two forks: Essential for easily shredding the tender chicken.
• Small saucepan: Ideal for creating the smooth, creamy base without lumps.
• Whisk: Key tool for blending flour and milk smoothly and preventing clumps.
• Cutting board: Necessary for chopping vegetables and herbs.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for precise vegetable and herb preparation.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities for the best taste.

Steps To Make Creamy Mushroom Chicken And Wild Rice Soup

• Veggie Harmony

Warm up a large pot with olive oil and let onions, garlic, carrots, and celery dance together. Watch them soften and become tender. Invite mushrooms to join the party, letting them become golden and rich.

• Chicken and Wild Rice Symphony

Sprinkle wild rice into the vegetable landscape. Gently nestle chicken pieces into the mix and pour chicken broth over everything. Season with thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Let the pot simmer quietly, allowing rice to become plump and chicken to cook completely.

• Chicken Transformation

Pull chicken from the pot and break it into soft, tender pieces. Return these delicate shreds back into the soup, letting them mingle with other ingredients.

• Creamy Magic

In a separate pan, create a silky base by melting butter and whisking in flour. Slowly introduce milk, stirring constantly to create a smooth sauce. Pour heavy cream into this mixture, then blend it into the soup pot, creating a luxurious texture.

• Final Touch

Let the soup bubble gently, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve in warm bowls, optionally sprinkling fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese on top for extra delight.

Tips To Upgrade Creamy Mushroom Chicken And Wild Rice Soup

• Perfect Soup Precision: Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels for a healthier version.
• Kitchen Hack: Slice mushrooms uniformly for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Meal Prep Magic: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months – store in airtight containers and reheat gently to maintain creamy consistency.
• Diet-Friendly Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternative for a vegetarian version, using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• Texture Trick: For extra richness, add a splash of white wine while sautéing vegetables to enhance the depth of flavor without overwhelming the delicate mushroom and chicken profile.

How To Serve Creamy Mushroom Chicken And Wild Rice Soup

• Cozy Bread Companions: Serve alongside warm, crusty sourdough or garlic bread to soak up the rich, creamy broth and add delightful texture.
• Crisp Green Sidekick: Pair with a light, fresh mixed green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette to balance the soup's hearty and creamy profile.
• Cheese Board Accent: Create a simple cheese board with aged cheddar, soft brie, and some crisp crackers to complement the soup's deep mushroom and chicken flavors.
• Winter Warming Combo: Enjoy this soup as a complete meal with a glass of medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay, which enhances the creamy and earthy notes.

Save And Store Creamy Mushroom Chicken And Wild Rice Soup

• Meal Refrigeration Strategy: Transfer leftover soup to airtight containers, ensuring it cools to room temperature first. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking to maintain optimal freshness and food safety.
• Optimal Storage Duration: Safely store the soup in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep the container sealed to prevent absorption of other food odors and maintain the soup's delicate flavor profile.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Gently warm the soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore the original creamy consistency if the soup has thickened during storage.
• Freezing Wisdom: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 2-3 months. Separate the liquid base from chicken and rice for best texture when thawing. Use freezer-safe containers, leaving a small space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing.

Hearty Mushroom Chicken And Wild Rice Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty wild rice and mushroom chicken soup blends comforting flavors from Northwest kitchens. Rich broth combines tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and nutty rice for a satisfying meal complete with rustic charm.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (450 g) chicken breasts or thighs, boneless, skinless
• 1 cup (200 g) wild rice
• 6 cups (1.5 L) chicken broth
• 2 cups (480 ml) milk
• 3 tbsps unsalted butter
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 8 oz (225 g) mushrooms, sliced (white button or cremini)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt, or to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

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Instructions

1. Aromatic Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium flame. Sauté onions, garlic, carrots, and celery until they become translucent and release their aromatic essence.
2. Mushroom Integration: Add sliced mushrooms to the vegetable base, allowing them to caramelize and intensify their earthy flavor profile.
3. Rice and Protein Layer: Introduce wild rice and whole chicken pieces into the pot, ensuring even distribution among the vegetables.
4. Liquid and Seasoning Infusion: Pour chicken broth over the ingredients, incorporating fresh thyme, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a vigorous boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
5. Flavor Development: Partially cover the pot, allowing the soup to slowly develop its complex flavors. Cook until chicken is thoroughly done and rice reaches optimal tenderness.
6. Protein Preparation: Extract chicken from the soup, shred into delicate morsels using two forks, then return to the simmering liquid.
7. Creamy Transformation: Create a roux by melting butter and whisking in flour until smooth. Gradually introduce milk, continuously whisking to prevent lumps.
8. Cream Integration: Stir in heavy cream, blending seamlessly into the thickened base. Incorporate the creamy mixture into the soup, stirring thoroughly.
9. Final Refinement: Simmer for an additional few minutes to marry flavors and achieve a luxurious, velvety consistency. Adjust seasoning to taste.
10. Presentation: Serve in warmed bowls, crowned with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a generous dusting of Parmesan cheese for an elevated culinary experience.

Notes

• Manage Mushroom Moisture: Pat mushrooms dry before slicing to prevent excess water diluting the soup’s rich flavor and ensure proper caramelization during sautéing.
• Control Rice Consistency: Wild rice takes longer to cook, so add it earlier and monitor liquid levels to prevent overcooking or creating a mushy texture.
• Create Smooth Cream Base: Whisk roux continuously and add milk slowly to prevent lumps, ensuring a silky, luxurious soup texture without grainy interruptions.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for dairy-free version, use gluten-free flour for roux, or replace chicken with plant-based protein for vegetarian adaptation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg