18, Feb 2024
Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup – The Easy Fool Proof Way
Hey guys! I’m bringing you an easy comfort classic to feed a crowd or just the family today. Creamy chicken & wild rice soup is one of my family’s favorites. We even enjoy it during the summer months! This soup is so easy to make, I’m sure it will be added to your rotation in no time. The bacon adds a smokiness and the broth helps add the depth of all day cooked soup. It’s also great the next day too!
So what do you really know about wild rice? Have you ever tried it? If not, the first time to try it in my honest opinion is in a soup. It is high in protein, amino acids, dietary fiber while being low in fat. It’s also gluten free like all true rices. Wild rice is chocked full of minerals and B vitamins. Other body necessities like thiamin, riboflavin, iron, potassium, niacin, zinc and manganese are also in this grain.
Wild Rice VS White Rice
While wild rice is often billed as the more healthy option versus white rice, the truth is actually shocking when compared side by side. Wild rice wins when it comes to lower calories and more protein. It also has higher magnesium, B2 and B6. BUT White rice has more iron, B1, B3, B5 and B9. So really either is a good healthy option for creamy chicken & wild rice soup.
Swaps & Specs:
- This recipe can easily be cut in half and still feed 4-5 people. I presented it this way because this is how I have it written down. We love it for lunch the next day!
- If you change the milk to skim you can make this a low fat, lighter version.
- Add diced baby carrots to the soup for a slight sweetness and even more flavor.
- Enjoy in a sourdough boule (bread bowl), with crackers, parmesan crisps or crusty french bread.
- You can swap the wild rice for white rice or even brown, just get a long grain rice so it won’t overcook and become mush on you.
I hope you are snuggling up to a hot bowl of this soup soon! It is fast, delicious and so filling! If chicken & rice aren’t your thing, I do have a few other soups and stews available. Check these recipes out below. As always, thanks for checking out my recipes!
Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
Equipment
- 1 large stockpot or Dutch oven
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts, diced
- 2 boxes Ben's Original Long Grain Wild Rice mix original
- 1 lb bacon, chopped in pieces
- 6 cups milk, whole
- 7 cups chicken broth
Slurry for Thickening
- 2 cups milk, whole
- 1 1/2 cups flour
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a large stock pot. Once done scoop onto a paper towel lined plate. Dump all but 1 tbsp of the bacon grease from the pan. Leave bacon aside for now.
- To the same pan, add chicken, rice, seasoning packet, and chicken broth. Heat to boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until rice is tender.
- In a jar with a lid, pour in 2 cups milk and flour. Shake vigorously to ensure there are no lumps.
- Add slurry, remaining milk and bacon. Heat through over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once thickened, bubbly and chicken is cooked, remove from heat. Serve with crackers or crusty bread.
Notes
- Cut this recipe in half easily and still feed up to 5 people
- Make a lighter version by using skim milk
- Add a cup of diced baby carrots in the beginning with the chicken for some veggie variation!
- Enjoy this soup with crackers or crusty bread
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- By Mandi
- February 18, 2024 09:44 AM