Fall Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Cozy Fall Chicken and Wild Rice Soup combines tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and a medley of autumn vegetables and herbs to create a hearty, comforting, and nutritious meal perfect for chilly fall days.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soups & Stews
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 2 cups skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into pieces
Grains
Vegetables
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional but recommended)
Liquids
- 6 cups chicken broth or stock
- 3/4 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter (for sautéing)
Herbs & Spices
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Sauté the Aromatics: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, diced celery, and diced carrots. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pot and sear them lightly, cooking approximately 4 to 5 minutes per side until they start to brown and lock in their juices.
- Add Mushrooms and Wild Rice: Stir in the sliced mushrooms to boost umami flavor, then add the wild rice blend. Mix well, coating the rice and vegetables with the flavors.
- Pour Broth and Simmer: Pour in 6 cups of chicken broth and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 45 to 50 minutes until the wild rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Shred Chicken and Add Cream: Remove the chicken pieces from the pot and shred them with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the soup. Stir in 3/4 cup heavy cream or coconut milk, season with salt, pepper, fresh thyme, and parsley. Cook for an additional 5 minutes to meld flavors.
Notes
- Use homemade broth for deeper flavor.
- Simmer slowly to allow wild rice to absorb flavors fully.
- Season gradually with salt and pepper to avoid over-seasoning.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley and thyme at the end to preserve brightness.
- Adjust soup thickness by adding extra broth or water if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: Fall soup, chicken soup, wild rice soup, comfort food, autumn recipe, hearty soup, gluten free soup