This crockpot chicken wild rice soup is so healthy, hearty, and satisfying. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, it’s great for easy weeknight dinners and an ideal meal prep solution.
Suitable for gluten free diets. Weight Watchers points included.
Folks, I’ve got exciting news: soup season is upon us! So break out the slow cooker, because it’s time to make allllll those awesome crockpot soup recipes. And in my opinion, this crockpot chicken wild rice soup is at the very top of that list.
When the leaves begin to change and there’s a nip in the air, there’s nothing better than whipping up that very first batch of cozy, comforting, and delicious soup. And chicken wild rice soup made in the slow cooker is so incredibly easy that it’s hard to imagine making it any other way.
Table of Contents
Easy Chicken Wild Rice Soup
This chicken rice soup is healthy, hearty, and satisfying. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, it’s a great busy weeknight dinner solution. And since it’s freezer-friendly, it’s an ideal addition to your weekly meal prep.
When it comes to fall entertaining, this crockpot chicken and rice soup is a real crowd-pleaser. Serve as part of the game day spread, bring it to your next potluck party, or have a batch waiting for the gang after a day of apple picking or a visit to the local pumpkin patch. In other words, it’s the soup recipe you’ll find yourself reaching for again and again.
Why Make This Recipe
- It’s soooo easy – this slow cooker soup requires a minimal amount of effort!
- Affordable – all you need is a handful of budget-friendly ingredients, many of which you probably already have on hand.
- Great for meal prep – make in advance and freeze until needed. Or, start it in the morning, and dinner is ready when you get home.
Ingredients Notes
- Chicken: I used boneless skinless chicken breast, but you can swap it for chicken thighs.
- Onion, Garlic, Celery & Carrot (aka mirepoix): create a flavorful base for the soup.
- Chicken Broth: or chicken stock; feel free to use what you have on hand.
- Bay Leaf & Thyme: to give the soup a nice depth of flavor.
- Wild Rice: I love the nutty, earthy quality of wild rice in this recipe, but you can use brown rice or white rice instead.
- Mushrooms: for added texture and that great umami flavor.
- Butter & Heavy Cream: add a luxurious creaminess.
Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!
For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
How To Make Chicken Wild Rice Soup In The Crock pot
Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
- Add the chicken breasts to the slow cooker in a single layer. Next, add celery, carrot, onion, and garlic. Pour in chicken broth, then add wild rice, thyme, and bay leaves.
- Place the lid on and cook for 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low. Remove chicken, shred or slice, and add back into the crockpot.
- Stir in the mushrooms, heavy cream, and butter, then cook for an additional 45 minutes on high (or 1 ½ hours on low).
- Ladle the soup into individual serving bowls and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Easily shred the cooked chicken by using two forks or with a hand mixer.
- If the soup is too thin, whisk in a small amount of flour or cornstarch to thicken.
- This soup will thicken as it cools. If reheating leftovers, feel free to add a little water or stock to return it to the desired consistency.
- Feel free to season with different herbs and spices, such as fresh sage, rosemary, and tarragon.
- Use an instant-read digital meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken has reached at least 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C.
- Add different vegetables to suit your taste. Kale, zucchini, broccoli, and potatoes are all great additions.
Prep and Storage
- Prep Ahead: chop vegetables ahead of time and refrigerate until needed.
- Storage: cooked chicken wild rice soup can be kept in an airtight container inside the fridge for 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: on the stovetop or in the microwave.
FAQs
Yes, rice should always be rinsed before adding to soup to ensure it is free from dirt, debris, and chemical residue. it also removes the surface starch, which can cause rice to get gummy and clump together when cooked.
The longer grain size and firmer texture of wild rice hold up to longer cooking times that are required for soup, stew, and casseroles.
Because the crockpot cooks at a lower temperature for a longer period of time, it is important to fully cook chicken before adding it to the soup.
Similar Recipes You May Like
Weight Watchers Points
There are 10 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
Get The Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe:
Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454g) chicken breast boneless and skinless
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large carrot sliced
- 1 celery stalk sliced
- 4 cups (950ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (169g) wild rice
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1 cup (70g) mushrooms sliced
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 cup (237ml) heavy cream
Instructions
- Add the chicken breasts to the slow cooker in a single layer.
- Next, add celery, carrot, onion, and garlic. Pour in chicken broth, then add wild rice, thyme, and bay leaf.
- Place the lid on and cook for 4 hours on high, or 6 hours on low. Remove chicken, shred or slice, and add back into the crockpot.
- Stir in the mushrooms, heavy cream, and butter, then cook for an additional 45 minutes on high (or 1 ½ hours on low). Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Easily shred the cooked chicken by using two forks or with a hand mixer.
- If the soup is too thin, whisk in a small amount of flour or cornstarch to thicken.
- This soup will thicken as it cools. If reheating leftovers, feel free to add a little water or stock to return it to the desired consistency.
- Feel free to season with different herbs and spices, such as fresh sage, rosemary, and tarragon.
- Use an instant-read digital meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken has reached at least 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C.
- Add different vegetables to suit your taste. Kale, zucchini, broccoli, and potatoes are all great additions.
- There are 10 Weight Watchers Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.
Palmier
Could I use Greek yogurt in place of the heavy cream? If so, how much?