Simple Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Cozy Up with Slow Cooker Wild Rice Chicken Soup
As the weather cools down, there’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting soup to nourish the soul. And when that soup is easy to make, even better! Today, we’re sharing our recipe for Slow Cooker Wild Rice Chicken Soup – a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or a relaxing weekend.
This isn’t your average chicken soup. The wild rice adds a lovely nutty flavor and satisfying texture, while the combination of carrots, celery, and onion creates a classic aromatic base. The best part? You can set it and forget it! Your slow cooker does all the work, leaving you free to tackle other tasks or simply enjoy the day.
Why You’ll Love This Soup:
- Effortless: Minimal prep time and hands-off cooking.
- Flavorful: A delicious blend of savory chicken, nutty wild rice, and fresh vegetables.
- Healthy & Hearty: Packed with nutrients and satisfying enough to be a complete meal.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Makes a generous batch, perfect for leftovers or freezing.
Tips for the Best Soup:
- Rinse the Rice: Rinsing the wild rice helps remove any excess starch, resulting in a less cloudy soup.
- Don’t Overcook: While slow cooking is forgiving, overcooking can make the chicken dry. Check for tenderness after 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low.
- Shred the Chicken: Shredding the chicken with two forks ensures it’s evenly distributed throughout the soup.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add a pinch of salt or a dash of your favorite herbs.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve this Slow Cooker Wild Rice Chicken Soup with a side of crusty bread for dipping, a fresh green salad, or a sprinkle of chopped parsley for garnish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use brown rice instead of wild rice?
A: While you can, the cooking time will need to be adjusted. Brown rice takes longer to cook than wild rice, so you may need to add an extra hour or two to the cooking time.
Q: Can I add other vegetables to this soup?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to add your favorite vegetables, such as mushrooms, potatoes, or peas.
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
A: Yes, chicken thighs will work well in this soup. They will result in a richer, more flavorful broth.
Q: Can I freeze this soup?
A: Yes, this soup freezes beautifully. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers.
Slow Cooker Wild Rice Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 1 medium white onion chopped
- 3 carrots chopped
- 3 celery stalks chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 1 cup wild rice uncooked, rinsed and drained
- 2 chicken breasts large, boneless, skinless (about 1 pound)
- 8 cups chicken broth low-sodium
Instructions
- Chop the onion, carrots, and celery. Mince the garlic.
- In a large slow cooker, stir together the onions, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, pepper, and wild rice.
- Layer the chicken on top of the rice and veggie mixture. Pour the broth on top.
- Place the lid on top. Cook on high for 3½ hours or on low for 6½ hours. Chicken is more tender and easier to shred when cooked on low.
- Prior to serving, shred the chicken with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
- Remove bay leaves. Enjoy!
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