Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

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You’re in the right place because this Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup hits the sweet spot between cozy and craveable. It’s thick without being heavy, loaded with tender chicken, and packed with real flavor thanks to slow-simmered veggies and wild rice that holds its bite. The steps are straightforward, the texture is spot-on, and the leftovers stay just as good the next day.

Ingredient Notes + Variations

This chicken and wild rice soup builds flavor in layers. A simple veggie base, good broth, and a smart creamy finish give you a soup that tastes like it simmered all afternoon, even though the process stays refreshingly simple.

• Butter + olive oil: Using both adds richness and keeps the vegetables from browning too quickly.
• Onion, celery, carrots: The classic trio that creates a deep, savory base as they soften.
• Chicken broth: Use a good-quality broth here since it carries the entire soup.
• Chicken breasts: Cubed and gently poached right in the broth for tender results every time.
• Long grain & wild rice mix: Adds texture and that nutty flavor people expect in chicken and wild rice soup.
• Half & half: Keeps things creamy without weighing the soup down.
• Flour: Thickens the soup smoothly without turning it into glue.
• Salt and black pepper: Season early and adjust at the end so everything tastes balanced.

How to Make Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

This recipe comes together in one pot and follows a logical flow that just works. You’ll soften the vegetables, gently cook the chicken, then let the rice do its thing before finishing with a creamy thickener. For full recipe details, including ingredients and measurements, see the printable recipe card down below.

Step 1: Soften the Vegetables

Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot. Add onion, celery, and carrots, then cook on medium-low heat for about 10 minutes until softened and fragrant. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Poach the Chicken

Pour in the chicken broth and add the cubed chicken. Raise the heat to medium-high and cook until the chicken turns opaque and tender.

Step 3: Add the Rice

Stir in the wild rice mix and the seasoning packet. Cover, reduce heat, and let it simmer lightly for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Make it Creamy

Whisk cold half & half with flour until smooth. Stir it into the soup, reduce heat to low, and cook for about 10 minutes until the rice is fully tender and the soup thickens.

Note: If using rotisserie chicken, you’ll add that in during this step with the half and half and flour.

Step 5: Season + Serve

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot and enjoy every spoonful.

Tips for Success

• Stir the soup occasionally while the rice cooks so nothing sticks to the bottom.
• Whisk the half & half and flour until completely smooth before adding to avoid lumps.
• Keep the heat low after adding the cream so the soup thickens gently.
• Season in stages for the best overall flavor.

What to Serve with Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

• Garlic bread for dunking and soaking up every last drop
• Grilled cheese sandwich because soup and melty cheese just make sense
• Dinner Rolls that hold up to a thick, creamy soup
• Kale Salad with White Balsamic Dressing to keep the meal balance
• Banana Split Cake because this meal needs a sweet ending

This creamy chicken and wild rice soup is the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again. It’s comforting, reliable, and hits that perfect balance of hearty and creamy every single time. The printable recipe card is below. Have a great day, friends!

Variations

• Swap in rotisserie chicken and add it during the final simmer with the half & half.
• Use regular half & half for an even richer finish.
• Add sliced mushrooms with the vegetables for extra depth.
• Stir in fresh herbs like thyme or parsley just before serving.

Make It Gluten-Free

To make Chicken Wild Rice Soup gluten-free swap out the flour for half the amount of cornstarch. Blend with the half & half to create that creamy base!

Unfortunately, Uncle Ben’s Long Grain and Wild Rice seasoning packet has gluten in it. SO instead of adding the seasoning packet in, here are a blend of seasonings that comes pretty close to the same flavors:

• 1 teaspoon dried minced parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 teaspoons salt

Make It Dairy-Free

Good news! You can make this Chicken Wild Rice Soup without dairy but still get all the creaminess.

To make this recipe dairy-free, simply replace the half & half with your choice of unsweetened non-dairy milk. Whether that be almond, cashew, oat, or even coconut milk. Just know that it won’t be exactly the same as using cows milk.

More Recipes to Try!

• Chicken Noodle Soup with Homemade Noodles
• Lemon Chicken Quinoa Soup
• Chicken Pot Pie Soup
• Chicken Meatball & Barley Soup
• Chicken and Dumplings

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.