Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Get ready to elevate your fall and winter comfort game with the epitome of coziness – our Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup! Think of it as chicken noodle soup’s more sophisticated sibling. Packed with flavorful wild rice, a bounty of veggies, and a creamy base that’s basically a warm hug for your taste buds, this dish is a comfort food sensation.

Why We Love Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Growing up, chicken wild rice soup was one of our favorite meals. Now that we’re grown, we continue to make our mom’s version for our own families. However, with this recipe, we’ve bid adieu to stove-side sweat sessions!

With this recipe, just toss all the goodness into the slow cooker, walk away, and return to a masterpiece in the making. Full of veggies and chicken, we love that this soup is nutrient-dense and high in protein. While the little ones can’t resist the allure of the hearty wild rice and creamy broth on those bone-chilling wintry days. Meanwhile, you’ll be nodding in approval at the budget-friendly brilliance of this dish.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This soup isn’t just thick and creamy; it’s a rich tapestry of chicken, veggies, and rice that transforms every spoonful into a well-rounded meal experience.

• Veggies – Celery, carrots, and yellow onion add a bit of crunch and enhance the nutrient profile of this dish.
• Garlic – For the best taste, use fresh garlic instead of the pre-minced kind. 
• Chicken – We prefer to use breasts, but thighs would work, too!  
• Seasonings – Salt, black pepper, oregano, and bay leaves are all you’ll need.
• Broth – This helps cook the rice and adds an extra savory taste to the chicken and wild rice soup. 
• Milk and Heavy Cream – Once combined, these create the extra creamy broth we’re looking to achieve. For the absolute best soup use whole milk and full-fat cream.
• Flour – Use all-purpose flour to form a roux to thicken the soup. If needed, a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour alternative should work just fine. 
• Butter – Everything tastes better with butter!
• Rice – We used a combination of long-grain and wild rice and included the extra seasoning packet that came with it. 

How to Make Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

One of our favorite things about slow cooker recipes is how convenient they are to make! With minimal prep work, you can start them in the morning and come home to a complete meal just waiting for you! 

1. Chop all of your veggies. 
2. Add everything except for the butter, flour, milk, and heavy cream to the slow cooker. 
3. Cook on high for 2 hours. Then, remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and add it back to the slow cooker. 
4. Then, melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the flour, stirring constantly to create a roux. 
5. Add the mixture to the slow cooker along with the remaining ingredients. Stir to combine. 
6. Continue to cook on high until the soup has thickened, and serve warm! 

What Goes with Chicken and Wild Rice Soup? 

You can definitely serve this chicken and wild rice soup on its own for a super satisfying meal. This chicken wild rice soup plays well with all your favorite sides. Imagine the most epic comfort food combo, turning even the coldest days into a cozy affair. Pair it with some of our favorite satisfying sides.

• No Knead Cheesy Focaccia Bread
• Green Goddess Salad
• Lemon Greek Potatoes
• Whipped Feta with Roasted Olives

Storage

We don’t recommend freezing this recipe, because the dairy is likely to split and curdle. However, you can keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days! 

Common Questions

Should I cook wild rice before adding it to the soup? 

We don’t! Thanks to the slow cooking time and use of broth, the rice cooks on its own. If you want to make it ahead of time or use up leftovers, reduce the amount of broth used, and add the rice near the end of cooking just so it warms. 

Does wild rice need to be rinsed? 

Of course, follow the package instructions on your rice. However, in general, wild rice should be rinsed to prevent it from sticking together and becoming gummy. 

Can I use leftover chicken or turkey for this recipe? 

Sure! Just skip adding it to the slow cooker at the beginning of cooking, and stir it in at the end to allow it to warm. 

Can I make chicken wild rice soup in the instant pot? 

Yes! To do so, add the veggies, chicken, seasonings, and broth to the Instant Pot. Then, cook on high pressure for 30-40 minutes. Remove the chicken, and shred it with two forks. Create a roux on the stovetop, and add it back to the pot along with the chicken, milk, and cream. Stir to combine, and dig in! 

More Warming Soup Recipes

If you’re on the same soup-loving wavelength as us, where every day could be a soup day, then these recipes are about to become your new obsession! Get ready to fall head over ladle for these delightful concoctions that will make your soup dreams come true.

• A classic comfort food, this Roasted Tomato Soup is a vegetarian option that tastes even better than the canned version you grew up loving. 
• Healthy and tasty, too, this Minestrone Soup is guaranteed to warm you from the inside out! 
• Our favorite childhood soup, this Egyptian Lentil Soup is an easy twist on our mom’s infamous recipe.
• Low-carb and plant-based, this Roasted  Red Pepper and Cauliflower soup is loaded with vegetables and tastes absolutely divine!