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Creamy Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup

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This creamy crockpot chicken wild rice soup is the ultimate cozy comfort food for chilly nights. Packed with tender chicken, hearty wild rice, and a dreamy, velvety broth, it’s easy to prep and perfect for family dinners or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 2 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream (or whole milk or dairy-free alternative)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • Optional: 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • Optional: 1 cup frozen peas
  • Optional: Fresh spinach or kale (a handful, added at the end)

Instructions

  1. Chop carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Rinse the wild rice blend under cold water. Trim excess fat from chicken thighs.
  2. Add carrots, celery, onion, garlic, wild rice, and chicken thighs to the crockpot. Pour in chicken broth. Sprinkle in thyme, parsley, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Add mushrooms if using.
  3. Cover and cook on Low for 5-6 hours or High for 2 1/2-3 hours, until chicken is tender and wild rice is cooked but still chewy.
  4. Remove chicken thighs, shred with two forks, and return to the soup.
  5. In a small bowl, melt butter. Whisk in flour until smooth, then slowly whisk in half-and-half or cream to make a slurry.
  6. Pour the slurry into the crockpot and stir well. Add peas or greens if using. Cook uncovered on Low for another 15-20 minutes to thicken.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon if desired. Add extra broth or water if soup is too thick.
  8. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan if desired.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, use cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free, use unsweetened coconut or oat milk and vegan butter. If the soup thickens too much after storing, add extra broth or milk when reheating. Blend a cup of soup for a creamier texture, or skip blending for a chunkier soup. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot chicken wild rice soup, creamy chicken soup, slow cooker soup, comfort food, fall soup, winter soup, meal prep, family dinner, gluten-free option, dairy-free option

Find it online: https://bitefuljoy.com/creamy-crockpot-chicken-wild-rice-soup-recipe-for-cozy-nights/