Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
When the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a warm bowl of soup. Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is a hearty, nutritious dish that brings together tender chicken, savory vegetables, and the delightful texture of wild rice. Perfect for busy families or anyone looking for an easy weeknight meal, this recipe allows you to set it and forget it, resulting in a creamy, delicious soup that warms the soul.
Serve with Dinner Rolls and a Tossed Green Salad for a cozy weeknight meal.
Crockpot or slow cooker soups are my absolute favorite. This is a dinner that cooks itself, the flavors meld while it cooks, and the result is a fairly hands off meal that is bursting with flavor and texture.
Other slow cooker soups we love include:
- Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup
- Slow Cooker Butternut Squash White Chicken Chili
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Slow Cooker Alfredo Chicken Tortellini Soup
- Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
- Slow Cooker Creamy Taco Soup
Crockpot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend (not parboiled)
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs
- 1 cup onions, chopped
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons Zoup! Chicken Culinary Concentrate
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
For the Creamy Base:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or substitute with more butter)
- 1/3 cup flour
- 2 cups half and half
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to make Slow Cooker Wild Rice and Chicken Soup
Instructions
1. Prepare the Wild Rice
Begin by rinsing the wild rice blend under running water to remove any excess starch. This step ensures that your soup doesn’t become overly thick.
2. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker
In a large slow cooker, add the uncooked wild rice, chicken breast, chopped onions, celery, carrots, minced garlic, bay leaves, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and the Zoup! Chicken Culinary Concentrate. Stir to combine all the ingredients evenly.
3. Slow Cook
Cover the slow cooker and cook on the high setting for 3-4 hours or on the low setting for 7-8 hours. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a rich and savory broth.
4. Shred the Chicken
In the last 30 minutes of cooking, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and allow it to cool slightly. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces before adding it back into the slow cooker.
5. Create the Creamy Base
In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter and add the olive oil. Once melted, whisk in the flour and let it cook for about 1 minute. Slowly add the half and half while whisking continuously until all lumps have dissolved. Continue to cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy.
6. Combine and Season
Add the creamy mixture to the slow cooker, stirring to combine all ingredients. If the soup is too thick for your liking, feel free to add a splash of milk or broth to reach your desired consistency. Finally, taste and season with salt and pepper to your preference.
7. Serve and Enjoy
Ladle the soup into bowls and serve warm. It pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a simple side salad for a complete meal.
Tips and Tricks
- Make It Lighter: To reduce the calories, consider replacing some or all of the half and half with milk. This will still give you a creamy texture without the extra fat.
- Storage: Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. As the soup sits, it may thicken; when reheating, simply add additional milk, broth, or water to adjust the consistency.
- Add Extra Veggies: Feel free to add more vegetables such as peas or corn for added nutrition and flavor.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is more than just a meal; it’s a warm hug in a bowl. Perfect for those cozy nights in, this soup is not only delicious but also easy to make. With minimal prep time and the convenience of a slow cooker, you can set it in the morning and come home to a delightful dinner ready to be served. Enjoy this comforting dish with your loved ones and make it a part of your regular meal rotation!
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend not parboiled
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs
- 1 cup onions chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1 cup carrots chopped
- 4-5 cloves garlic minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons Zoup! Chicken Culinary Concentrate
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
For the Creamy Base:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or substitute with more butter
- 1/3 cup flour
- 2 cups half and half
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Wild Rice
- Begin by rinsing the wild rice blend under running water to remove any excess starch. This step ensures that your soup doesn’t become overly thick.
Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker
- In a large slow cooker, add the uncooked wild rice, chicken breast, chopped onions, celery, carrots, minced garlic, bay leaves, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and the Zoup! Chicken Culinary Concentrate. Stir to combine all the ingredients evenly.
Slow Cook
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on the high setting for 3-4 hours or on the low setting for 7-8 hours. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a rich and savory broth.
Shred the Chicken
- In the last 30 minutes of cooking, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and allow it to cool slightly. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces before adding it back into the slow cooker.
Create the Creamy Base
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter and add the olive oil. Once melted, whisk in the flour and let it cook for about 1 minute. Slowly add the half and half while whisking continuously until all lumps have dissolved. Continue to cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy.
Combine and Season
- Add the creamy mixture to the slow cooker, stirring to combine all ingredients. If the soup is too thick for your liking, feel free to add a splash of milk or broth to reach your desired consistency. Finally, taste and season with salt and pepper to your preference.
Serve and Enjoy
- Ladle the soup into bowls and serve warm. It pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a simple side salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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