Description

This Healthy Chicken Wild Rice Soup is a comforting and nutritious meal featuring tender chicken, wholesome wild rice, and a medley of fresh vegetables simmered to perfection in a flavorful broth. Ideal for a cozy dinner, this soup balances heartiness with health-conscious ingredients, making it a perfect choice for a nourishing and satisfying dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Broth

1.5 pounds any raw chicken pieces (breasts, drumsticks, or cut-up whole chicken)
7 cups water or low sodium chicken broth

Vegetables and Aromatics

1 large onion, finely chopped
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 large carrots, coarsely chopped
3 large celery stalks, diced
2 large potatoes, diced
½ cup dried mushrooms or 2 cups fresh brown mushrooms, sliced
Small bunch parsley, finely chopped

Rice and Seasonings

1 ½ cups wild rice
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 ¾ teaspoons salt
Ground black pepper, to taste

Dairy and Fats

2 cups whole milk
1 tablespoon butter (for stovetop only)

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables: Begin by placing the raw chicken pieces into a large pot. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, carrots, celery, potatoes, and mushrooms into the pot with the chicken, setting a flavorful base for your soup.
Add Rice, Broth, and Seasonings: Pour in the wild rice and the 7 cups of water or low sodium chicken broth. Stir in dried thyme, prepared mustard, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
Cook the Soup: Bring the soup mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook gently for about 1 hour and 5 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice and vegetables are tender.
Finish and Serve: Remove the cooked chicken pieces, shred or cut them into bite-sized pieces, then return them to the pot. Stir in the whole milk and butter (if cooking stovetop), and sprinkle finely chopped parsley for freshness. Adjust seasoning to taste and heat through before serving.

Notes

You can use any cut of raw chicken; bone-in pieces add more flavor.
Dried mushrooms provide deeper flavor, but fresh mushrooms are a great alternative.
Low sodium broth helps control salt content; adjust salt to your preference.
For a creamier soup, use whole milk and butter as indicated.
Wild rice can be substituted with brown rice if preferred, though cooking times may vary.
Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent rice from sticking to the pot.