If you’re craving a warm, comforting bowl of soup that feels like a big hug in a bowl, you’re in for a treat! This Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe is exactly that — a hearty, luscious blend of tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and a creamy, flavorful broth that just melts in your mouth. I absolutely love how this turns out every time, and I promise, once you try it, it’ll be a meal you’ll want to make over and over again. Keep reading, and I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to nail this cozy classic at home.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Comfort in Every Spoon: The creamy texture paired with wholesome wild rice makes this soup incredibly satisfying and filling.
Simple Ingredient List: You probably already have most of these in your kitchen, making it perfect for easy weeknight meals.
Flexible and Customizable: Whether you want it dairy-free or extra herbaceous, the recipe adapts to your preferences.
Family Favorite: I’ve made this many times for my crew, and they never get tired of asking for seconds.

A close-up of a white speckled bowl filled with creamy soup that has a white base layer mixed with small shredded pieces of light-colored meat, dark wild rice grains, bright orange carrot chunks, and light green celery pieces spread evenly throughout. The bowl is sitting on a round wooden plate, accompanied by a silver spoon on the left side and a light beige square cracker in front. The scene is set against a white marbled background with a folded dark red cloth to the right. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, hearty chicken wild rice soup, comforting creamy chicken soup, easy wild rice recipes, cozy chicken and rice soup

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients starts this delicious journey! The combination of wild rice, fresh vegetables, and herbs perfectly balances earthy and savory flavors, while the creamy base brings it all together. Here are some tips to help you pick the best components.

Flat lay of a small mound of uncooked wild rice blend with black, brown, and white grains, a small pile of diced bright orange carrots, a cluster of three fresh celery ribs sliced, a small heap of chopped pale yellow onion, a whole uncracked brown egg, a few sprigs of fresh green thyme and rosemary, a pat of golden butter cut into small cubes, a small white bowl filled with white all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of smooth heavy cream, a small white bowl of creamy milk, a small white bowl containing minced fresh garlic, a raw boneless skinless chicken breast half with fresh pink skin, and a small pile of finely grated lemon zest, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions on a simple white ceramic plate and bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, hearty chicken wild rice soup, comforting creamy chicken soup, easy wild rice recipes, cozy chicken and rice soup

Wild rice blend: Using a blend boosts texture and flavor; follow package directions for perfect cooking.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and aroma when sautéed, a soup essential.
Carrots: Provide subtle sweetness and beautiful color.
Celery: Brings that classic soup base flavor with a light crunch.
Butter: Divided use helps layer richness in sautéing and thickening the base.
Garlic: Minced fresh garlic is key for aromatics and a gentle kick.
Chicken broth: Choose low-sodium to control salt level.
Dried herbs (thyme, marjoram, sage, rosemary): Fresh can replace dried if you have it, for a more vibrant herbal note.
Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Easy to shred and cook quickly.
All-purpose flour: Creates that luscious creamy consistency when combined with butter and milk.
Milk and heavy cream: Together give you that velvety texture without being too heavy.
Lemon zest: Adds a fresh brightness that cuts through the richness beautifully.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how this Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe can be tweaked to suit different tastes and dietary needs. Feel free to experiment – adding your favorite veggies or swapping out dairy ingredients can make it your own signature dish!

Dairy-Free Version: I swap the milk and cream for coconut milk or cashew cream, and it still turns out silky and rich without losing that comforting vibe.
Vegetable-Loaded: Adding mushrooms, spinach, or even frozen peas is a great way to sneak in more greens, and my family barely notices.
Using Leftover Chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken works like a charm when you’re short on time – just toss it in near the end of cooking.
Spice Boost: For a little zip, I sometimes add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika, which adds warmth without overwhelming the original flavors.

How to Make Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Wild Rice Blend

Start by preparing the wild rice according to the package directions. I usually set a timer so I don’t forget, because timing is everything here – you want the rice cooked but still a bit chewy to hold its texture in the soup. I like to cook the rice halfway before moving on to the next step so everything comes together perfectly.

Step 2: Sauté the Veggies

While the rice cooks, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in your chopped onion, carrots, and celery, sautéing for about 4 minutes until they soften and become fragrant. Then add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds – that aroma is pure magic and sets a great flavor base for your soup.

Step 3: Simmer the Chicken and Broth

Add the chicken broth along with your dried herbs – thyme, marjoram, sage, and rosemary – and season with salt and pepper to taste. Increase the heat to medium-high and add your chicken breasts. Bring this mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for 12 to 16 minutes until the chicken is cooked through, flipping the breasts halfway if they’re thick so they cook evenly.

Step 4: Shred the Chicken

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool on a cutting board for about 5 minutes. Shred the meat into small, bite-sized pieces using two forks. Keep the soup covered over low heat while you work on the creamy base so it stays warm and flavorful.

Step 5: Make the Creamy Base

In a separate saucepan, melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1½ minutes, whisking constantly to avoid lumps — this step is what thickens your soup beautifully. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking vigorously, then add the heavy cream. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens to a luscious consistency. This homemade roux transforms your soup into the ultimate comfort food experience.

Step 6: Combine and Finish

Pour the creamy mixture into the soup pot, then add your shredded chicken, cooked wild rice, and a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest for a bright pop of flavor. Stir everything well to combine and remove the pot from heat. Let the soup cool just slightly before serving – patience here ensures all the flavors meld perfectly.

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Pro Tips for Making Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Perfect Rice Texture: I learned that cooking the rice halfway first keeps it from getting mushy once mixed with the soup.
Avoiding Lumps in Roux: Whisk constantly when adding milk to butter and flour to keep your creamy base silky smooth.
Chicken Even Cooking: Flipping thicker chicken breasts halfway during simmering guarantees juicy, even cooking.
Lemon Zest Magic: Don’t skip the lemon zest—it brightens up the richness and balances flavors beautifully.

How to Serve Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Two white bowls filled with thick creamy soup that has visible layers of orange carrot pieces, pale green celery chunks, shredded white meat, and small bits of dark wild rice mixed in. Each bowl sits on a round wooden plate with a spoon resting against it. Around the bowls are square saltine crackers placed on a white marbled surface. A deep red cloth is arranged to the side, adding a splash of color. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, hearty chicken wild rice soup, comforting creamy chicken soup, easy wild rice recipes, cozy chicken and rice soup

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or chives on top just before serving—adds a fresh, colorful touch and a slight hint of oniony flavor. A little cracked black pepper on top brings out the herbs and rounds out each spoonful perfectly.

Side Dishes

Pair this soup with crusty artisan bread or warm buttery dinner rolls for dipping. Sometimes I serve it alongside a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette to keep the meal balanced and refreshing.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special dinner, I like serving the soup in hollowed-out round sourdough bread bowls. It adds charm and extra flavor as the crust soaks up the creamy broth. Another fun idea is individual mini cocottes for single servings, topped with a sprig of fresh herbs for wow factor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

When storing leftover Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, I let it cool to room temperature, then transfer to airtight containers. It keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days. I always find that the flavors deepen beautifully after resting overnight.

Freezing

This soup freezes really nicely if you’re looking to prep meals ahead. I portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving space for expansion. Just be sure to thaw in the fridge overnight and give it a gentle stir as you reheat to bring back that creamy goodness.

Reheating

To reheat, I warm the soup gently over low-medium heat on the stove, stirring frequently to prevent settling or burning. If it seems a bit thick, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth helps loosen it up without losing creaminess. Microwave works in a pinch but stirring halfway through helps heat evenly.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of wild rice blend?

Absolutely! Brown rice will add a nuttier flavor and a bit softer texture. Just be sure to cook it fully before adding to the soup, as it generally takes longer to cook than wild rice blends.
Is this soup suitable for freezing?

Yes, this Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe freezes very well. Just store in airtight containers, thaw overnight in the fridge, and reheat gently while stirring to maintain texture and creaminess.
Can I make this dairy-free?

Definitely. Replace milk and cream with plant-based alternatives like coconut milk or cashew cream for a rich, dairy-free version that still tastes amazing.
What’s the best way to shred the chicken?

Using two forks, pull the chicken apart gently once it’s cool enough to handle. You can also chop it finely if you prefer chunks. Shredding lets the chicken absorb more of the soup’s flavors, which I love.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s the ultimate comfort meal that feels homemade yet special. I love making it when the weather cools down or when I need something simple that still impresses my family. Plus, it’s hearty enough to stand alone but flexible enough to pair beautifully with sides or garnishes. I really encourage you to try this recipe soon — it’s one of those dishes that brings everyone together around the table for seconds and smiles.