Creamy chicken wild rice soup is a dish that embodies comfort in every spoonful. It’s the kind of soup that warms you from the inside out, perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you crave a hearty, flavorful meal. This recipe takes inspiration from the home-style cooking of the Pioneer Woman, emphasizing rich flavors and simple, satisfying ingredients that make it a family favorite.
Two bowls of Creamy chicken and wild rice soup
Why This Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup is a Family Favorite
This isn’t just any chicken soup; it’s a creamy, dreamy concoction that stands out. What makes this creamy chicken wild rice soup recipe a winner? Several key elements combine to create an unforgettable dish.
Unbeatable Flavor and Texture
The magic of this soup lies in its deep, layered flavors. Starting with sautéed vegetables to build a rich base, followed by a velvety creaminess and the nutty chew of wild rice, each spoonful is a delightful experience. The tender chicken and the subtle sweetness of corn add further dimensions, making it far more than just a basic chicken soup. It’s a symphony of tastes and textures that work in perfect harmony.
Easy One-Pot Recipe for Weeknights
In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is key. This creamy chicken wild rice soup is a one-pot wonder, minimizing cleanup and simplifying the cooking process. You can sauté your vegetables, build your roux, simmer the soup, and finish it all in a single Dutch oven or large pot. This makes it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you want a wholesome, home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Hearty and Satisfying Comfort Food
When you need a meal that truly satisfies, this soup delivers. Packed with chicken, vegetables, and wild rice in a creamy broth, it’s incredibly hearty and filling. It’s the perfect comfort food to warm you up on a cold day or to simply enjoy as a nourishing and delicious meal any time of the year. This soup has a way of making everything feel a little cozier and more comforting.
Creamy chicken and wild rice soup in a dutch oven
Key Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Style Chicken Wild Rice Soup
To achieve that authentic Pioneer Woman style creamy chicken wild rice soup, focusing on the quality and type of ingredients is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of the essential components:
High-Quality Chicken: The Heart of the Soup
The chicken is the star protein, so using good quality chicken is important. You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. For a shortcut and added flavor, rotisserie chicken is an excellent option. Simply shred or cube the cooked chicken to add to the soup. The key is to have tender, flavorful chicken that complements the creamy base and other ingredients.
Wild Rice Blend: Nutty and Delicious
Wild rice brings a unique nutty flavor and slightly chewy texture that elevates this soup beyond ordinary rice soups. Using a wild rice blend, often containing other types of rice, adds complexity and visual appeal. Make sure to cook the wild rice until it’s just tender; it should have a pleasant bite without being mushy.
Creamy Base: Achieving the Perfect Richness
The creamy texture is what makes this soup truly decadent. Heavy cream is the traditional choice for maximum richness, but you can also use milk or half-and-half for a lighter version. The secret to a smooth, creamy soup is creating a roux – a mixture of butter and flour – which thickens the broth beautifully and gives it that signature velvety consistency.
Vegetables: Flavor and Nutrition Boost
A medley of vegetables not only adds flavor but also boosts the nutritional value of the soup. This recipe typically includes classic soup vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery, forming an aromatic base. Mushrooms, particularly cremini mushrooms (also known as baby bellas), add an earthy depth. Frozen corn kernels provide a touch of sweetness and vibrant color. Fresh garlic cloves are essential for their pungent aroma and flavor.
Better Than Bouillon: Secret Flavor Enhancer (Optional)
While not strictly “Pioneer Woman style,” using Better Than Bouillon chicken base can significantly enhance the savory chicken flavor of the soup. It’s a concentrated paste that adds more depth than regular bouillon cubes or broth alone. However, for a more traditional approach, you can omit it and rely on a good quality chicken broth and seasoning. The Pioneer Woman often emphasizes simple, readily available ingredients, so you might choose to enhance flavor through careful seasoning and broth selection instead.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Creating this comforting soup is easier than you might think. Follow these step-by-step instructions to make your own delicious creamy chicken wild rice soup, Pioneer Woman style.
Sautéing Vegetables: Building Flavor Foundation
Start by heating vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms and sauté until they begin to brown, which takes about 8 minutes. Remove the mushrooms and set aside. Then, add butter to the pot and sauté chopped onions, minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery until they soften, approximately 10-12 minutes. Returning the sautéed mushrooms to the pot at this stage builds layers of flavor right from the start.
Creating the Roux: For Creamy Perfection
Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the vegetables in the pot. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. This step is crucial for creating a blonde roux, which will thicken the soup and give it its signature creamy texture. Make sure to stir continuously to prevent the flour from burning and to ensure it’s evenly incorporated with the vegetables and butter.
Simmering for Flavor Harmony
Pour low sodium chicken broth into the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add dried thyme, Better Than Bouillon (if using), wild rice blend, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and gently simmer, partially covered, for about 25-30 minutes, or until the wild rice is just tender. Simmering allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and the rice to cook properly without becoming mushy.
Adding Chicken and Cream: The Finishing Touch
Once the rice is cooked, stir in the frozen corn, cooked chicken, and heavy cream. Simmer gently for another 10-15 minutes to blend the flavors and heat everything through. Avoid boiling at this stage, as it can cause the cream to separate. This final simmering period allows the creamy richness to infuse the soup and create a harmonious blend of all the ingredients.
Seasoning and Serving: Perfecting the Taste
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add more salt, pepper, or a pinch of thyme to enhance the flavors. Stir in fresh chopped parsley for a touch of freshness and color just before serving. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting and satisfying creamy chicken wild rice soup.
Creamy chicken and wild rice soup in a red bowl
Variations and Serving Suggestions
One of the great things about this creamy chicken wild rice soup recipe is its versatility. You can easily adapt it to your preferences and what you have on hand.
Pioneer Woman Inspired Tweaks
To make it even more “Pioneer Woman style,” consider these tweaks: use less chicken broth and more cream for an extra rich soup. Some variations inspired by her style include adding peas for a touch of sweetness and green color, and omitting mushrooms if you prefer a simpler vegetable profile. Traditionally, the Pioneer Woman might cook rice separately and add it to the soup later, though cooking it directly in the soup enhances flavor. Also, consider skipping the Better Than Bouillon for a more classic, from-scratch flavor, relying on quality broth and seasonings.
Other Variations
Feel free to use milk or half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter soup. Rotisserie chicken makes a convenient and flavorful protein source. For cheese lovers, a sprinkle of shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese on top of each serving can add a delicious cheesy dimension. Adding other vegetables like peas or spinach can further boost the nutritional content and visual appeal.
Serving Ideas
This creamy chicken wild rice soup is a complete meal on its own, but it’s also wonderful served with crusty bread for dipping and soaking up the flavorful broth. A fresh side salad complements the richness of the soup beautifully. Buttery garlic biscuits or grilled cheese sandwiches are also classic pairings that elevate the comfort food experience.
Storing and Make-Ahead Tips
Making a big batch of this soup is a great idea, as leftovers are just as delicious, if not more so, the next day.
Refrigerator Storage
Store leftover creamy chicken wild rice soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. As it sits, the soup may thicken. When reheating, you might need to add a little chicken broth or cream to reach your desired consistency. Reheat gently over medium heat on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.
Make-Ahead Options
To save time on busy days, you can chop the vegetables ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also cook the chicken in advance and shred or cube it, ready to add to the soup. These make-ahead steps streamline the cooking process when you’re ready to assemble the soup.
Freezing (Not Recommended)
Unfortunately, freezing this creamy chicken wild rice soup is not recommended. The cream base tends to separate upon thawing, which can result in a grainy texture and affect the overall quality of the soup. It’s best enjoyed fresh or within a few days of making it.
Conclusion
This creamy chicken wild rice soup, inspired by Pioneer Woman’s comforting and hearty cooking, is a recipe you’ll want to make again and again. It’s rich, flavorful, and satisfying, perfect for family dinners, cozy nights in, or any time you need a bowl of pure comfort. With its creamy texture, nutty wild rice, tender chicken, and wholesome vegetables, it’s a soup that truly nourishes body and soul. Try making this Pioneer Woman style chicken wild rice soup tonight and experience the ultimate in homemade comfort food!
Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 12 ounces cremini mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 carrots, peeled and diced
- 4 celery stalks, diced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 64 ounces low sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 heaping tablespoon Better than Bouillon – chicken flavor (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups wild rice blend
- 1 1/2 cups frozen corn, thawed and drained
- 4 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook until they begin to brown, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl and set aside.
- Add butter to the Dutch oven and cook onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until they begin to soften, about 10-12 minutes. Add mushrooms back to the pot.
- Sprinkle flour over veggies and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Add broth, thyme, Better than Bouillon (if using), rice, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and gently simmer, partially covered, until the rice is just tender, about 25-30 minutes.
- Add corn, chicken, and heavy cream to the soup and simmer gently to blend flavors, 10-15 minutes.
- Adjust seasoning and serve, garnished with fresh parsley.
Nutrition (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: 668kcal
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Protein: 31g
- Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Cholesterol: 121mg
- Sodium: 291mg
- Potassium: 1220mg
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 6g
- Vitamin A: 7831IU
- Vitamin C: 11mg
- Calcium: 102mg
- Iron: 3mg
