Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup is a comforting and hearty meal that is perfect for chilly days. Made with tender chicken, wholesome wild rice, and a medley of vegetables, this slow-cooked dish is creamy, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Preparation: Simply add the ingredients to your crockpot and let it do the work.
- Rich and Hearty: A creamy, filling soup packed with protein and fiber.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Makes excellent leftovers and reheats well.
- Great for Any Season: Warm and comforting for winter, yet light enough for a nourishing meal year-round.
- Customizable: Easily adjustable to suit dietary preferences, such as dairy-free or gluten-free variations.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Wild rice
- Carrots, diced
- Celery, diced
- Onion, chopped
- Garlic, minced
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream or milk
- Butter or olive oil
- Flour (for thickening)
- Dried thyme
- Bay leaf
- Salt and pepper
Directions
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop the vegetables and rinse the wild rice.
- Combine in Crockpot: Add chicken, wild rice, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, chicken broth, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the crockpot.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and the rice is fully cooked.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the crockpot.
- Make the Cream Base: In a separate pan, melt butter, stir in flour, then slowly whisk in milk or heavy cream until smooth.
- Combine: Pour the cream mixture into the crockpot and stir well. Let cook for an additional 15-20 minutes to thicken.
- Serve: Remove the bay leaf and ladle the soup into bowls. Enjoy warm!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6-8
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes – 8 hours 10 minutes
Variations
- Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk or almond milk instead of heavy cream.
- Gluten-Free: Omit the flour and use a cornstarch slurry for thickening.
- Vegetarian: Replace chicken with mushrooms or white beans and use vegetable broth.
- Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño for heat.
- Lemon Herb Twist: Stir in fresh lemon juice and extra herbs for a brighter flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or milk if needed to restore consistency.
FAQs
How do I prevent the rice from getting mushy?
To prevent mushy rice, you can add it during the last 2 hours of cooking instead of at the beginning.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes, add shredded rotisserie chicken during the last 30 minutes of cooking to warm it through.
What type of wild rice works best?
A blend of wild rice and long-grain rice works well, but pure wild rice provides the best texture.
Can I make this soup on the stovetop?
Yes, simmer the ingredients in a large pot for about an hour until the rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
Is this soup freezer-friendly?
Yes, but for best results, freeze it without the cream and add dairy when reheating.
How can I thicken the soup more?
Use additional flour, cornstarch, or reduce the liquid slightly to thicken the soup.
Can I use brown rice instead of wild rice?
Yes, but brown rice may take slightly longer to cook.
How do I make it less creamy?
Simply reduce or omit the heavy cream and replace it with extra broth.
Can I add more vegetables?
Absolutely! Mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach make great additions.
What’s the best way to reheat this soup without losing texture?
Reheat slowly over low heat and stir occasionally to maintain the best consistency.
Conclusion
Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup is a delicious, comforting meal that requires minimal effort while delivering maximum flavor. Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or need a cozy dish for a chilly evening, this soup is a fantastic option. Try it with your favorite variations and enjoy a wholesome homemade meal!
Print
Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Pasta Primavera is a fresh and vibrant dish loaded with seasonal vegetables, tossed in a light garlic and olive oil sauce. Perfect for a quick, healthy, and delicious weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- For the Pasta & Vegetables:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, spaghetti, or fusilli)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small zucchini (sliced)
- 1 small yellow squash (sliced)
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup carrots (julienned)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- For Garnish:
- 1/4 cup fresh basil (chopped)
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions; reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add zucchini, yellow squash, bell pepper, broccoli, and carrots; sauté for 5 minutes.
- Stir in cherry tomatoes, garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes; cook for another 2 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, Parmesan, lemon juice, oregano, and basil.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with the sauce; toss to combine.
- If needed, add reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
- Remove from heat, garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Protein Additions: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta.
- Dairy-Free Version: Skip Parmesan or use nutritional yeast.
Nutrition
- Calories: ~380 kcal
- Sugar: ~6g
- Sodium: ~250mg
- Fat: ~14g
- Saturated Fat: ~3g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~9g
- Trans Fat: ~0g
- Carbohydrates: ~55g
- Fiber: ~6g
- Protein: ~12g
- Cholesterol: ~5mg
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