Creamy Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Creamy Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is a comforting and hearty soup combining tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and nutty wild rice in a rich, creamy broth. Perfect for chilly days or when you crave a wholesome, satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare and adaptable to various dietary preferences.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
Grains
- 1 cup wild rice blend, rinsed
Liquids
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
Fats and Oils
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Ingredients: Finely chop the onions and garlic, slice the mushrooms, and cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Rinse the wild rice under cold water to remove any debris or starch.
- Sauté the Aromatics and Mushrooms: In a large pot, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and cook until fragrant and translucent. Then add the mushrooms and sauté until they release moisture and turn golden brown, building deep flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pot, cooking until they are lightly browned on all sides but not fully cooked through, infusing the chicken with flavors from the mushrooms and aromatics.
- Simmer with Broth and Wild Rice: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir in the rinsed wild rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer gently for about 45-50 minutes until the rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Add Cream and Seasonings: Stir in the heavy cream to create a creamy texture. Season with salt, pepper, thyme, and parsley. Warm the soup through without boiling to prevent curdling.
- Final Touch and Serve: Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remove from heat and serve hot with desired garnishes.
Notes
- Use fresh mushrooms for better texture and flavor.
- Avoid overcooking wild rice to keep it slightly chewy.
- Add cream off the heat or over very low heat to prevent curdling.
- Sauté mushrooms until golden brown for enhanced umami flavor.
- Use homemade or high-quality broth for improved taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: creamy mushroom chicken soup, wild rice soup, comfort food soup, gluten free soup, chicken soup with mushrooms