Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe in 2025

Cold outside? Craving something warm and cozy? A big pot of Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is the answer.

This recipe is everything you want on a chilly day: creamy, hearty, and full of rich, savory flavor. It’s made with tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and a mix of veggies that simmer together in one pot until everything is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

The best part? It’s surprisingly easy to make. You don’t need fancy ingredients or hours in the kitchen, just simple steps, a handful of pantry staples, and a little bit of love.

Whether you’re cooking for your family, meal prepping for the week, or just in need of a cozy dinner, this soup checks all the boxes. Let’s get into it!

🧡 Why You’ll Love This Chicken Wild Rice Soup

This Chicken and Wild Rice Soup isn’t just another cold-weather dish. It’s the kind of recipe that wraps you in warmth like your favorite oversized sweater.

Let’s talk about why this soup stands out:

• Creamy yet light: It provides a rich, velvety texture without being overly heavy. Just a little flour and milk go a long way.
• Flavor-packed in every bite: Thanks to fresh thyme, mushrooms, and seared chicken, this soup is intensely savory and aromatic.
• Simple, wholesome ingredients: You don’t need anything fancy, just kitchen staples like carrots, celery, rice, and chicken.
• One-pot wonder: Everything cooks together in a single pot. Less mess, more flavor.
• Big-batch friendly: This recipe yields enough to feed a hungry family or provide several days of delicious leftovers.
• Meal prep magic: Cook the rice separately, and your soup stays fresh and perfect for reheating throughout the week.

And here’s the kicker: it tastes even better the next day.

Whether it’s a chilly night or you need a bowl of comfort, this soup hits the mark every time. It’s cozy, nourishing, and satisfying down to the last spoonful.

📝 Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need to make this creamy, comforting soup with simple, accessible ingredients and exact measurements to help you prep with confidence.

🍗 Note: If using pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken, skip the searing step and add it in when the broth goes in.

🍚 Rice tip: Use a wild rice blend or pure wild rice depending on what’s available. Just adjust the cook time accordingly (some wild rice may take up to 45 minutes to soften).

With this short, sweet ingredient list, you get the big flavor and satisfying texture in every single bowl. Let’s get cooking!

🥄 Step-by-Step: How to Make Chicken Wild Rice Soup

This soup might taste like something that took hours to cook, but it comes together easily with just one pot and a bit of love.

Below is your foolproof guide packed with extra tips, techniques, and pro-style tricks to get the most flavor with minimal effort.

🔥 Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Before you add flavor to the soup, start by enhancing the taste of your chicken.

Place a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, and drizzle in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Let it heat up until it begins to shimmer. Then:

• Pat the chicken breast (or thighs) dry with paper towels. This helps the meat brown better.
• Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
• Place the chicken in the hot oil and let it sear for 3–4 minutes per side until it forms a light golden crust.

You’re not cooking the chicken through at this stage, just browning it to develop a deeper flavor base for your soup.

💡 Pro tip: If you hear sizzling, you’re doing it right. If it’s smoking, lower the heat.

Once both sides have a bit of golden color, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside on a clean plate. Don’t worry if it’s not fully cooked. It’ll finish cooking later during the simmering.

🧈 Step 2: Sauté the Veggies

Now that your chicken is out, you’ll probably notice some golden bits stuck to the bottom of the pot that’s flavor gold!

Add 2 tablespoons of butter directly to the same pot. Once melted, toss in your chopped veggies:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 oz baby bella mushrooms, chopped

Give everything a good stir to coat it in that melted butter, and let it cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’re looking for the vegetables to soften, sweat, and deepen in color, especially those mushrooms.

The goal here is to extract all those savory veggie juices while creating the flavor backbone of the soup.

By the end of this step, your kitchen should smell like absolute heaven.

🌾 Step 3: Stir in the Flour

Once your veggies are soft and aromatic, it’s time to build creaminess without using heavy cream.

Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour directly into the pot.

Use your spoon to stir well and coat the vegetables, cooking the flour out for about 1–2 minutes. This is important because:

• You don’t want that raw flour taste.
• A short cooking time activates the flour’s thickening power.

The flour will mix with the butter and vegetable juices, forming a light roux. This step is the secret to getting that smooth, velvety soup texture without overloading it with dairy.

🧄 Bonus tip: Stir constantly here, as flour can clump if left unattended.

🍗 Step 4: Add Back the Chicken

Now, it’s time to reintroduce the chicken.

Slide those golden-seared chicken breasts (or thighs) back into the pot, including any juices that pooled on the plate, flavor central!

Tuck the pieces down into the veggies and flour mixture so they’re surrounded by flavor and ready to soak in even more during the next stage.

At this point, your pot should be looking rustic and cozy already, and we’re just getting started.

🥛 Step 5: Pour in the Liquid

Here’s where the soup starts to come together.

Carefully pour in:

• 5 cups chicken stock (preferably low-sodium)
• 1½ cups whole milk (or 2%, if that’s what you have)

Give it all a good stir, making sure to lift anything stuck on the bottom of the pot. These browned bits will melt into the broth, adding incredible flavor.

Next, nestle in 3–4 sprigs of fresh thyme. This adds an earthy, subtle herbal note that warms up the whole pot.

🪴 Don’t have fresh thyme? Use 1 teaspoon of dried thyme instead, it’ll still be delicious.

The mixture should look creamy and slightly golden and smell like you’re already halfway to dinner heaven.

⏱️ Step 6: Simmer for 40 Minutes

Now’s the time to slow things down and let your soup work its magic.

Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover it, and let it simmer for 40 minutes.

This long simmer allows:

• The chicken needs to be cooked thoroughly and become tender enough to shred.
• The time to infuse the liquid with subtle flavor.
• The flour and milk are used to thicken everything into a lightly creamy broth.

🫕 Don’t rush this step. This simmer is where the soup deepens in richness and body.

As the soup simmers, give it an occasional stir and check that it’s not boiling too rapidly. You want a gentle bubble, not a rolling boil.

At the end of 40 minutes, remove the chicken, place it on a cutting board, and shred it with two forks (or roughly chop it).

Don’t forget to discard the thyme sprigs; their job is done.

🍚 Step 7: Add the Wild Rice Blend

With your soup base rich and ready, it’s time to bring in the heart of the dish: wild rice.

Add ¾ cup of wild rice and blend directly into the pot. If you’re using:

• Use a store-bought rice mix (made with long-grain rice and seasoning), following the package instructions for cooking time.
• Pure wild rice; expect it to take up to 45 minutes.

Let the soup simmer uncovered for another 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

As the rice cooks:

• It releases starch, which further thickens the broth.
• It absorbs the flavors of chicken and thyme.
• The soup transitions from brothy to luxuriously creamy and hearty.

🍚 Planning for leftovers? You can cook the rice separately and add it to each portion as needed to avoid it soaking up all the broth in the fridge.

After 20–25 minutes, check the rice for doneness. It should be tender with a slight chew, not overly soft or mushy.

Stir in the shredded chicken, give it a final taste, and adjust the salt and pepper to your preference.

And that’s it; your cozy bowl of homemade comfort is ready to serve!

🍽️ How to Serve Chicken Wild Rice Soup

This Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is cozy enough for a solo lunch and impressive enough to serve to guests.

Once it’s creamy and ready, there are plenty of delicious ways to serve and elevate it, even though it’s already a total flavor bomb in a bowl.

Here’s how to serve it like a pro:

1. Serve Hot in a Deep Bowl

The soup is thick and hearty, falling somewhere between a brothy soup and a creamy stew, making it perfect for ladling into deep soup bowls. This allows the rice, chicken, and veggies to sit perfectly in the broth without spilling over.

2. Top It with Fresh Garnishes

Add a sprinkle of:

• Chopped fresh parsley or thyme
• Shaved Parmesan cheese
• Fresh cracked black pepper
  These toppings add brightness and a visual pop that makes each bowl feel special.

3. Add a Sidekick

Pair your soup with:

• Crusty bread (sourdough, French bread, garlic knots)
• Toasted baguette slices
• A side salad with lemon vinaigrette
• Grilled cheese sandwich (trust us, the combo is unreal!)

4. Make It a Meal

This soup is filling thanks to the wild rice and chicken, but if you’re hosting or want to bulk it up, serve it as part of a dinner spread with roasted veggies or a warm grain salad.

5. Serve It Creamy or Brothy

Love a richer version? Stir in cream cheese at the end and top with shredded cheddar. Prefer it lighter? Stick with the milk and broth base. This soup is super forgiving and adaptable to your mood or occasion.

✅ Tips for the Best Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Want to take your soup from great to can’t-stop-eating-it? These tips are the secret ingredients:

1. Don’t Skip the Sear

Giving your chicken that golden color upfront adds depth of flavor to the final broth. It may seem minor, but that browning action creates umami magic.

👩‍🍳 Tip: Make sure your pot is hot enough before adding the chicken; you should hear a nice sizzle.

2. Use Fresh Thyme (or Add It Early)

Fresh thyme sprigs simmered in the broth give the soup a warm, woodsy aroma. Just don’t forget to pull them out before serving! If using dried thyme, add it earlier to give it time to mellow and infuse the liquid.

3. Cook Rice Separately If Meal Prepping

Wild rice tends to absorb liquid the longer it sits. If you’re planning on storing leftovers, cook the rice separately and add it to each serving when reheating. This keeps your soup from turning into a thick porridge by day 3.

Meal prep hack: Freeze cooked wild rice in small bags and add it to reheated soup for an instant boost in texture.

4. Add Cream Cheese for Extra Richness

At the very end, stir in 4 oz of softened cream cheese for a richer, silkier finish. It blends seamlessly into the broth, adding a luxurious twist without overpowering the soup.

5. Taste and Adjust Seasoning at the End

The rice and chicken both absorb salt, so the soup might need a final boost before serving. A pinch of salt and pepper added right before ladling can beautifully bring out all the flavors.

🔄 Variations of Chicken Wild Rice Soup

📝 Final Thoughts: The Coziest Bowl You’ll Ever Make

This Chicken and Wild Rice Soup isn’t just a meal. It’s a warm hug in a bowl.

From the golden-seared chicken to the nutty, tender wild rice and that lightly creamy broth infused with herbs and veggies. Every spoonful is comforting, satisfying, and oh-so-flavorful.

Whether you’re cooking for your family, prepping meals for the week, or just trying to survive a chilly day, this soup is the one you’ll want simmering on your stove.

It’s hearty without being heavy, simple enough for beginners, and flexible enough for seasoned cooks to customize. Plus, it’s made in just one pot, which is always a win.

So go ahead, bookmark this recipe, print it, pin it, or memorize it. Because once you try it, you’ll be coming back to it again and again.

💡 You Might Also Like:

If you loved this cozy soup, here are a few more wholesome, family-friendly recipes you should try next:

🧁 Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread Recipe

Moist, lightly sweet, and packed with fall flavor, this guilt-free treat is made with pumpkin puree and dotted with melty chocolate chips. Perfect for breakfast or snacking.

🍵 Easy Butternut Squash Soup for Fall Vibes

Creamy, roasted, and full of autumn goodness, this soup is vegetarian, silky smooth, and perfect for cozy nights or leisurely lunches.

🍗 Healthy Balsamic Chicken Recipe for Families

Quick, flavorful, and ideal for weeknights, this balsamic-marinated chicken is juicy, oven-baked, and served with fresh veggies for a balanced meal.

Ella Foster

Ella Foster, co-founder of FoodBears.com, is a skilled writer whose love for cooking fuels her creative work. Her passion for experimenting in the kitchen brings authentic flavor and culinary inspiration to every piece she crafts for the platform.