Creamy Mushroom Chicken And Wild Rice Soup Recipe

The Coziest Creamy Mushroom Chicken And Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Comfort meets sophistication in this creamy mushroom chicken and wild rice soup that promises warmth with every spoonful.

Earthy mushrooms and tender chicken dance together in a rich, velvety broth.

Wild rice adds delightful texture and nutty undertones to the dish.

Each ingredient tells a story of rustic elegance and home-cooked satisfaction.

Hearty yet refined, this soup feels like a culinary hug on chilly evenings.

Fresh herbs and a splash of cream elevate the flavors to something truly memorable.

Comforting Creamy Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

  • Savor Comforting Textures: Dive into a symphony of creamy richness blended with hearty wild rice and tender chicken, creating a satisfying meal that hugs your taste buds.
  • Quick Kitchen Companion: Craft this delightful soup with simple ingredients and straightforward cooking steps, perfect for home cooks seeking a delicious yet uncomplicated dish.
  • Nutritious Family Pleaser: Pack your meal with vegetables, protein, and wholesome wild rice, ensuring a balanced and nutritious dinner that appeals to both kids and adults.
  • Versatile Meal Solution: Transform leftovers or rotisserie chicken into a gourmet soup, making it an ideal option for busy weeknights or lazy weekend cooking.

Ingredients for Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

For the Main Ingredients:
  • Chicken: Tender protein that adds heartiness to the soup.
  • Wild Rice: Nutty, chewy grain that provides texture and depth of flavor.
  • Mushrooms: Earthy and rich ingredient that enhances the soup's umami profile.
For the Vegetables and Aromatics:
  • Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic vegetable blend that creates a flavorful base for the soup.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds a robust and warm flavor.
  • Thyme: Herb that brings a subtle, earthy undertone to the dish.
For the Liquids and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Chicken Broth: Liquid base that provides rich, savory foundation for the soup.
  • Milk, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy components that add richness and smooth texture.
  • Butter: Ingredient used for sautéing and adding a rich, smooth flavor.
  • Salt, Pepper: Seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the soup.

How to Make Creamy Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Step 1: Unleash Mushroom Magic

Grab a pan and set it over medium-high heat. Melt butter and toss in sliced mushrooms.

Let them dance and sizzle until their moisture completely disappears, creating deep, rich flavors. This process takes about 10-15 minutes.

Once done, set the mushrooms aside.

Step 2: Vegetable Symphony

Using the same pan, melt another pat of butter.

Introduce diced:
  • Onions
  • Carrots
  • Celery

Sauté these vegetables until they become wonderfully tender, which takes roughly 8-10 minutes.

Step 3: Aromatic Awakening

Sprinkle in minced garlic and thyme.

Let these fragrant ingredients release their incredible scents for about a minute, creating a flavor foundation.

Step 4: Liquid Gold Simmer

Pour in chicken broth and add:
  • Wild rice
  • Cooked chicken
  • Sautéed mushrooms

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.

Cover and let everything meld together until the rice becomes perfectly soft, approximately 20-30 minutes.

Step 5: Creamy Finale

Stir in milk and grated Parmesan cheese.

Allow the cheese to melt completely, creating a luxurious, velvety texture. Season with salt and pepper to elevate the flavors.

Your soup is now ready to warm hearts and satisfy souls.

Pro Tips for Mushroom Chicken Soup Perfection

  • Enhance mushroom flavor by using a mix of varieties like shiitake, cremini, or porcini for deeper, more complex taste.
  • Prep wild rice ahead of time to reduce overall cooking duration and ensure perfect texture.
  • Swap dairy milk with coconut or almond milk for a lighter, lactose-free version that maintains creamy consistency.
  • Control sodium levels by using low-sodium chicken broth and adding salt gradually while tasting.
  • Boost protein content by adding extra shredded rotisserie chicken or using leftover grilled chicken for convenience.

Variations on Creamy Mushroom Chicken Soup

  • Vegetarian Adaptation: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a plant-based protein option.
  • Gluten-Free Version: Swap wild rice with quinoa or brown rice, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive individuals.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute rice with cauliflower rice and use heavy cream instead of milk to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining creamy texture.
  • Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut milk in place of regular milk and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for a lactose-free alternative with rich, savory flavor.

Pairing Suggestions for Mushroom Chicken Soup

  • Pair with Crisp Chardonnay: Choose a lightly oaked Chardonnay that complements the creamy soup's richness while cutting through its velvety texture, enhancing the earthy mushroom and delicate chicken flavors.
  • Serve with Rustic Sourdough: Grab a hearty, crusty sourdough bread to dip into the soup, providing a tangy contrast and perfect vehicle for soaking up the creamy broth.
  • Match with Roasted Green Salad: Create a light side salad with mixed greens, roasted almonds, and a light vinaigrette to balance the soup's heavy consistency and add fresh, crisp elements to the meal.

Storage Advice for Creamy Mushroom Chicken Soup

  • Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the container sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
  • Pour completely cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal carefully, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date to track storage time.
  • Pour desired portion into a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

FAQs

  • What type of rice works best in this soup?

Wild rice is ideal for this recipe, offering a nutty flavor and hearty texture that complements the creamy chicken and mushrooms perfectly.

  • Can I use different mushrooms?

Absolutely! While the recipe suggests standard mushrooms, you can experiment with cremini, shiitake, or oyster mushrooms to add unique flavors and depths to the soup.

  • Is this soup nutritionally balanced?

Yes, the soup provides a good balance of protein from chicken, complex carbohydrates from wild rice, and essential nutrients from vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions.

  • How can I make this soup more protein-rich?

You can increase protein by adding more cooked chicken, stirring in some shredded rotisserie chicken, or incorporating diced grilled chicken breast for extra protein content.

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Creamy Mushroom Chicken And Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Creamy Mushroom Chicken And Wild Rice Soup Recipe


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4.6 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Comforting creamy mushroom chicken and wild rice soup delivers hearty woodland flavors in one luxurious bowl. Savory herbs and tender chicken blend with earthy mushrooms, promising warmth and satisfaction for hungry souls.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Grains:

  • 1.5 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
  • 1 cup wild rice or rice blend

Vegetables and Aromatics:

  • 1 pound mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped

Liquids and Dairy:

  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup milk or cream
  • 1 cup grated parmigiano reggiano cheese
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Elevate sliced mushrooms in a sizzling pan over medium-high heat, using butter until liquids evaporate and edges caramelize, approximately 10-15 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to a separate dish.
  2. Utilize the same pan to soften diced onions, carrots, and celery in melted butter, creating a fragrant vegetable base for approximately 8-10 minutes.
  3. Introduce minced garlic and thyme, allowing aromatics to release their intense flavors for roughly 1 minute.
  4. Combine chicken broth, wild rice, precooked chicken, and previously sauteed mushrooms into the pan. Bring mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
  5. Cover and allow ingredients to meld together, ensuring wild rice becomes tender and absorbs surrounding flavors, approximately 20-30 minutes.
  6. Incorporate milk and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until cheese melts smoothly into the soup.
  7. Season with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting seasoning to create a balanced, rich flavor profile.

Notes

  • Maximize mushroom flavor by allowing them to caramelize and release their natural moisture, developing a rich, deep taste during the sautéing process.
  • Use a mix of mushroom varieties like shiitake, cremini, and white button to add complexity and depth to the soup’s overall flavor profile.
  • Make the dish gluten-free by substituting wild rice with quinoa or using a gluten-free alternative, ensuring everyone can enjoy this comforting meal.
  • Enhance protein content by adding extra shredded chicken or incorporating plant-based protein like chickpeas for a more substantial and nutritious soup.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 275 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 620 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Ethan Caldwell

Ethan Caldwell

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Farm-to-table cooking, Seasonal recipe creation, Culinary storytelling, Food photography and styling​

Education

The Chef’s Academy (Indianapolis, IN)

  • Program: Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on sustainable cooking practices, regional American cuisine, and recipe development.​

Ethan didn’t just fall in love with food, he grew into it, surrounded by fields, farmers’ markets, and family meals that told a story.
After sharpening his skills at The Chef’s Academy, he took his passion straight into the farm-to-table movement, working side-by-side with local growers and seasonal flavors.
He believes every recipe should feel like a walk through a summer market: colorful, fresh, and full of possibility.
Outside the kitchen, Ethan’s idea of a perfect day is hiking mountain trails, digging into heirloom vegetables, and hosting casual dinners where seconds are always encouraged.

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