Creamy wild rice soup is a delicious dish to serve any time of year. It’s good when you want to warm up on a cold fall or winter day. But I also like to serve this delicious soup during the spring or summer. It’s a comfort food whenever you need it.

I made this recipe with wild rice. However, if you don’t have wild rice, you can substitute brown rice or black rice instead. Or add other types of rice. You can even add mushrooms if you want. I love a big bowl of wild rice mushroom soup. 

I make a variety of delicious soups, including this delicious cream of mushroom soup. Another soup we enjoy any time of year is this super easy bean soup. It’s quick and easy, so I often serve it on busy weeknights. You’ll find quite a few more soup recipes here: Soups.

Yummy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

This delightful recipe combines the nutty flavor of wild rice blend, flavorful chicken broth, and a creamy broth, promising warmth and satisfaction in every spoonful. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or trying this for the first time, this easy recipe is perfect for meal prep, cozy family dinners, or simply when you need a touch of comfort.

Ingredients

These ingredients should all be easy to find at any grocery store. You can substitute different types of rice and vegetables if you want.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

• ⅓ cup uncooked wild rice
• 4 cups water
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• ½ cup (1 stick) butter
• ½ cup diced yellow onion
• ½ cup diced celery
• ½ cup diced carrot
• ½ cup all-purpose flour (regular or gluten-free)
• 2-1/2 cups chicken broth or chicken stock
• 2 cups half and half
• ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon salt (more if you prefer)

You can scroll to the bottom of this page or click on the jump-to-recipe button beneath the title to get a printable recipe card.

How to Make Creamy Wild Rice Soup

In a medium saucepan, combine the wild rice, olive oil, and water. Turn the burner to medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. This initial cooking time ensures the rice achieves its signature chewy texture and nutty wild rice flavor.

While the rice is simmering, melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion, celery, and carrot to the pot. Sauté these vegetables until tender, which should take about 5-10 minutes. The vegetables will contribute a savory flavor and a little bit of sweetness, enhancing the overall richness of the soup.

Stir in the all-purpose flour into the vegetable and butter mixture, cooking for 2 minutes while stirring. This step is crucial for making a roux, which will thicken our soup to achieve that luxurious creamy broth. Gradually pour the chicken broth into the pot, ensuring smooth integration with the flour mixture.

Add the undrained, partially cooked wild rice to the pot along with the rest of the ingredients. Bring the soup to a boil over medium heat, then cook for an additional 2 minutes. The combination of the creamy broth, hearty wild rice, and tender vegetables promises a symphony of flavors.

Turn the heat down to medium-low and stir in the half-and-half, dried rosemary, and salt. Continue cooking the soup uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is fully tender. During this time, the soup will thicken further, and the flavors will meld together beautifully.

Ladle the soup into bowls and, if desired, garnish with fresh herbs like fresh thyme or rosemary. This soup pairs wonderfully with a piece of crusty bread, perfect for dipping into the creamy broth.

Additional Tips and Variations

If you want more protein, adding shredded chicken, whether it’s leftover chicken, rotisserie chicken, or freshly cooked chicken breasts, will make this soup even more filling. Simply add the chicken towards the end of the cooking process to keep it tender and flavorful.

Make it vegan. A delicious vegan soup recipe can be achieved by substituting the chicken broth with veggie broth, the half-and-half with full-fat coconut milk, and omitting the chicken. Adding hearty mushrooms, white beans, or sweet potatoes can offer additional texture and nutrients.

Other ingredients you can substitute or add if you want:

• Vegetable broth instead of chicken broth
• Bay leaves
• Black pepper
• Sea salt
• Full fat coconut milk instead of half and half

How to Store Wild Rice Soup

This soup stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze it and reheat over low heat, adding a little bit of water or broth to thin it out if necessary. Leftover soup has never been so good!

Other Cooking Methods for Wild Rice Soup

Though this recipe uses a stovetop method, it’s adaptable to a slow cooker, pressure cooker, or an instant pot for convenience. Each method may require slight adjustments in cooking time but promises the same delicious end result.

What to Serve with Wild Rice Soup

So many sides go with this wild rice soup. Here are some of our favorites:

Broccoli Slaw – You can serve whatever side salad you want. One of our favorites is this broccoli slaw that’s loaded with flavor, crunch, and lots of nutrition.

Grape Salad with Pineapple – This delicious salad from Julia’s Simply Southern adds a hint of sweetness and a whole lot of delicious flavor to your meal!

Cloud Bread – Actually, any bread is good with this soup. But since I have to follow a gluten-free diet, I make this light and fluffy cloud bread.

Southern Style Cornbread – My very southern family loves cornbread with any kind of soup. Slather on some butter and then use the cornbread to mop up the last drop of soup in the bowl.

Show Some Love with Wild Rice Soup

This creamy wild rice soup recipe is not just a meal; it’s a hug in a bowl. With its rich flavor, variety of textures, and heartwarming qualities, proof that comfort food brings joy. Whether you’re enjoying this during the cold months, as part of your meal prep strategy, or simply whenever you need a bit of comfort, this soup is sure to satisfy. Remember, the best part of cooking is making it your own, so feel free to adjust the ingredients and seasonings to suit your taste. Enjoy!

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