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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ladle the soup into bowls and serve warm. It pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a simple side salad for a complete meal.