Warm Chicken Mushroom Wild Rice Soup Recipe for Cold Days

Nestled in comfort, this chicken mushroom wild rice soup invites warmth and satisfaction to your table.

Fragrant herbs dance through creamy broth, promising a delightful culinary experience.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a symphony of flavors that whisper home-cooked goodness.

Wild rice adds a nutty complexity, while tender chicken pieces provide substantial nourishment.

Earthy mushrooms bring depth and richness to every spoonful.

Nutritious and soul-soothing, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Why Chicken Mushroom Wild Rice Soup Warms the Soul

• Boost Nutrition Powerhouse: Packed with lean protein from chicken, fiber-rich wild rice, and nutrient-dense mushrooms, this soup delivers a balanced meal that nourishes your body.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or add extra vegetables to match your taste preferences, making this recipe incredibly adaptable for different dietary needs.
• Comfort in a Bowl: Perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a warm, soul-soothing meal that brings instant comfort and satisfaction to your dinner table.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup with a single pot cooking method, saving time and reducing kitchen mess while still creating a delicious, restaurant-quality soup.

Ingredients for Hearty Chicken Mushroom Wild Rice Soup

• Chicken: A protein-rich ingredient that adds heartiness and flavor to the soup.
• Wild Rice: A nutty, wholesome grain that provides texture and nutritional value to the dish.
• Mushrooms: Earthy vegetables that contribute depth and umami flavor to the soup.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables that form a flavorful foundation for the soup.

• Chicken Broth: A savory liquid that serves as the primary cooking and flavoring liquid for the soup.
• Heavy Cream: A rich ingredient that adds creaminess and smoothness to the final dish.
• Olive Oil: A cooking fat used to sauté the vegetables and chicken.

• Thyme: A herb that provides a subtle, earthy flavor to the soup.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the dish.

How to Make Chicken Mushroom Wild Rice Soup Perfect

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Vessel

Grab your large pot and drizzle olive oil, setting the heat to medium. Toss in finely chopped onions and crushed garlic, dancing them around the pot until they become soft and fragrant.

Step 2: Brown the Protein

Drop your chicken pieces into the pot, letting them sizzle and transform into a golden-brown delicacy. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Embrace the Mushroom Magic

Slide those sliced mushrooms into the pot, letting them mingle with the chicken. Allow them to release their earthy flavors for about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Create the Soup Base

• Wild rice
• Chicken broth
• Thyme
• Salt
• Pepper

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, letting the ingredients get to know each other.

Step 5: Simmer to Perfection

Lower the heat and let the soup gently bubble away.

Wait patiently for 40-45 minutes until the wild rice becomes tender and soft.

Step 6: Finish with Creamy Richness

Pour in the heavy cream, stirring gently to create a luxurious, velvety texture.

Heat through and ladle into warm bowls, ready to comfort and delight.

Tips to Bring Out the Best in This Soup

• Swap wild rice for quinoa or brown rice to create a gluten-free alternative that keeps the dish nutritious and delicious.
• For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with coconut milk or low-fat Greek yogurt to reduce calories without sacrificing creamy texture.
• Enhance the soup's flavor by adding a splash of white wine during the sauteing stage or incorporating fresh herbs like parsley just before serving.
• Boost protein content by including additional vegetables like diced carrots or celery, which complement the chicken and mushroom combination perfectly.
• Make this soup ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, as the flavors develop and become even more delicious when reheated gently.

Variations to Refresh Chicken Mushroom Wild Rice Soup

• Vegetarian Rice Delight: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, using vegetable broth for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Bowl: Swap wild rice with quinoa or brown rice to make the recipe gluten-free and suitable for sensitive diets.
• Dairy-Free Wellness Soup: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or almond cream for a lighter, lactose-free alternative.
• Spicy Southwest Fusion: Add diced green chiles, cumin, and smoked paprika to transform the soup into a zesty southwestern-style meal.

What Sides Go Well with Chicken Mushroom Soup

• Pair with Crisp Chardonnay: A medium-bodied white wine with buttery notes complements the creamy soup's richness and balances the earthy mushroom flavors perfectly.
• Match with Crusty Artisan Bread: Warm, rustic sourdough or crusty French bread provides a delightful textural contrast and helps soak up the soup's delicious broth.
• Serve with Roasted Green Salad: A light salad with mixed greens, roasted almonds, and a tangy vinaigrette cuts through the soup's creaminess and adds a fresh, bright element to the meal.
• Complement with Apple Cider: A slightly sweet and tart beverage enhances the chicken and mushroom flavors while offering a refreshing non-alcoholic option that pairs wonderfully with the hearty soup.

How to Store Chicken Mushroom Wild Rice Soup Right

• Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cover tightly to prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Pour soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Avoid freezing if cream is already mixed in.
• Place soup in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

FAQs

• Is wild rice different from regular white rice?

Wild rice is actually a type of grass seed, not a true rice. It’s more nutritious, with higher protein and fiber content compared to white rice, and provides a nutty, chewy texture to dishes.

• Can I use chicken breasts or thighs for this recipe?

Both chicken breasts and thighs work well. Breasts are leaner, while thighs offer more flavor and tenderness. Just ensure the chicken is cut into consistent, bite-sized pieces for even cooking.

• How can I make this soup healthier?

Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for fewer calories. You can also add more vegetables like carrots or celery to increase nutritional value and add extra flavor and texture.

Chicken Mushroom Wild Rice Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Warm comfort flows through this hearty chicken mushroom wild rice soup, blending robust Wisconsin woodland flavors with creamy richness. Comforting ingredients meld into a soul-soothing bowl you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) chicken breast, diced

Grains and Vegetables:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) wild rice
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) thyme
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium temperature, gently sweating onions and garlic until translucent and aromatic.
2. Introduce diced chicken pieces, searing until golden brown and developing rich caramelized edges.
3. Incorporate sliced mushrooms, allowing them to release moisture and concentrate their earthy flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
4. Pour in chicken broth, sprinkle wild rice, and season with thyme, salt, and pepper, creating a robust liquid base.
5. Elevate heat to trigger boiling, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer, covering the pot and maintaining a steady low temperature for 40-45 minutes.
6. As rice reaches tender consistency, transform the soup’s texture by slowly stirring in velvety heavy cream.
7. Allow cream to integrate and warm through without reaching a boil, ensuring a smooth, luxurious finish.
8. Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, presenting a comforting, hearty meal ready to be enjoyed immediately.

Notes

• Swap white rice for quinoa or brown rice to boost nutritional value and add more fiber to the dish.
• Cut calories by using half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.
• Enhance protein content by adding extra chicken or incorporating plant-based protein like tofu for vegetarian alternatives.
• Use homemade chicken broth to control sodium levels and deepen the soup’s overall flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 306 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg