Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Description
Creamy, cozy, and made for chilly nights — tender shredded chicken, nutty wild rice, and soft vegetables in a rich, savory broth. Load the crockpot in the morning and come home to comfort in a bowl.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts , (or thighs)
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning
- 1 cup half and half, or heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Load the slow cooker. Add the chicken, wild rice, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, broth, and seasonings to the slow cooker.
- Cook low and slow. Stir, cover, and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
- Shred the chicken. Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the slow cooker.
- Make the cream base. In a small saucepan, melt the butter, whisk in the flour, then slowly whisk in the cream to make a thickened sauce.
- Bring it together. Stir the mixture into the soup and cook 15–20 minutes more to thicken.
- Taste and serve. Adjust the seasoning as needed, then ladle into bowls and enjoy.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Ladle
Notes
- Short on time? Use rotisserie chicken and cut the cook time in half.
- For a lighter soup, swap evaporated milk or coconut milk for the cream; for dairy-free, skip the cream and finish with a splash of almond milk.
- Don't rush the wild rice — the long, slow cook is what builds the deep flavor.
- Stir in spinach, kale, or mushrooms near the end for extra color and heartiness.
- Serve with warm, crusty bread for the coziest dinner ever.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 317kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 24gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 1437mgPotassium: 664mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 5464IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 93mgIron: 2mg