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Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is the epitome of creamy comfort food. Made effortlessly in a crockpot, this soup is filled with hearty vegetables, tender chicken, and wild rice, all cooked in a flavorful broth. It’s perfect for cozy nights, offering a warm and satisfying meal with minimal effort.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
6 cups chicken stock
1 cup wild rice
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
3 carrots, peeled and diced
3 stalks celery, diced
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried rosemary
2 bay leaves
1 pound cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
¼ cup unsalted butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 cup half and half
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste. Place the chicken breasts in a 6-quart slow cooker.
Add the chicken stock, wild rice, garlic, onion, carrots, celery, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper.
Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Add the mushrooms during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred using two forks.
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook until lightly browned, about 1 minute.
Add the milk and half and half to the saucepan, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens, about 4-5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Stir the shredded chicken and the milk mixture into the slow cooker. If the soup is too thick, add more half and half to reach the desired consistency.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Nutrients

Calories: Approximately 400-450 kcal per serving
Fat: 20-25g
- Saturated Fat: 10-12g
Cholesterol: 60-75mg
Sodium: 700-800mg
Total Carbohydrates: 30-35g
- Sugars: 6-8g
Protein: 30-35g
Vitamin A: 15-20% of the daily value
Vitamin C: 20-25% of the daily value
Calcium: 10-12% of the daily value
Iron: 10-15% of the daily value

Why Choose the Slow Cooker?

The slow cooker is the perfect method for preparing Chicken and Wild Rice Soup. It allows the flavors to meld together over hours of cooking, creating a rich, flavorful broth while keeping the chicken tender and the rice perfectly cooked. Slow cooking also allows the vegetables to soften and release their flavors into the soup, making each spoonful bursting with taste. With the slow cooker, there’s no need for constant attention; once you add all the ingredients, you can simply set it and let the cooker do its work. This makes it an ideal choice for busy days when you want a meal that’s waiting for you when you come home.

A Flavorful Broth as the Base

The base of this soup is a flavorful chicken stock, which provides a savory foundation for the ingredients to cook in. The chicken stock infuses the wild rice, vegetables, and chicken with rich flavor, making each bite incredibly satisfying. The addition of garlic, onion, carrots, and celery enhances the taste, while the dried thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves create an aromatic backdrop that makes the soup fragrant and comforting. The combination of these ingredients is a classic, creating a savory, well-rounded broth that perfectly complements the chicken and vegetables.

The Benefits of Wild Rice

Wild rice is a fantastic choice for this soup because of its slightly nutty flavor and chewy texture. Unlike white rice, which can sometimes become too soft or mushy when cooked for extended periods, wild rice retains its shape and provides a satisfying bite in each spoonful. Wild rice also adds a layer of complexity to the soup, providing a contrast in texture and flavor. Its earthy, nutty taste pairs beautifully with the other ingredients, making it an essential component of this soup. Additionally, wild rice is higher in protein and fiber compared to regular rice, adding a nutritional boost to the dish.

Tender Chicken That Melts in Your Mouth

The chicken breasts used in this recipe are cooked slowly in the broth, allowing them to become incredibly tender. As the chicken cooks, it absorbs all the savory flavors from the stock and vegetables, making it delicious on its own or when shredded and stirred back into the soup. The slow-cooking process ensures that the chicken remains moist and juicy, resulting in a perfect texture that’s easy to shred with just two forks. The shredded chicken adds a protein-packed element to the soup, making it hearty enough to be a complete meal.

A Creamy Touch for Richness

One of the things that makes this soup so comforting is its creamy base. After the chicken has cooked and been shredded, a mixture of butter, flour, milk, and half-and-half is added to thicken the soup and create a velvety texture. This creamy addition takes the soup to the next level, adding richness and a luxurious mouthfeel. The mixture is whisked together until it thickens to the perfect consistency, giving the soup a comforting creaminess without being too heavy. The milk and half-and-half add a gentle sweetness, which balances out the savory flavors from the stock and herbs.

Mushrooms: A Flavorful and Earthy Addition

The cremini mushrooms in this soup add another layer of depth and earthiness. They complement the wild rice and vegetables with their rich, meaty texture and umami flavor. Mushrooms are known for their ability to absorb flavors, and as they cook in the broth, they take on the savory notes from the chicken stock and herbs. When added to the soup in the final stages of cooking, the mushrooms provide a nice contrast in texture to the tender chicken and rice, while also enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dish.

Serving Suggestions

Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is a complete meal in itself, but it can be served with a variety of accompaniments to enhance the experience. A slice of crusty bread or a warm baguette would be perfect for dipping into the creamy broth, adding a satisfying crunch to each bite. You could also serve the soup with a fresh green salad to add a bit of freshness and balance out the richness of the soup. If you’re craving something extra indulgent, a side of garlic bread or a warm, cheesy biscuit would complement the flavors of the soup perfectly.

The Simplicity of Preparation

One of the best things about this soup is how easy it is to prepare. You begin by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then add them to the slow cooker along with chicken stock, wild rice, garlic, onion, carrots, celery, and herbs. The slow cooker takes care of the rest, cooking the chicken and vegetables to perfection. Towards the end of cooking, you add the mushrooms and the creamy milk mixture to thicken the soup and create its velvety texture. The entire process is incredibly simple, requiring minimal hands-on time, making it ideal for those busy days when you want a comforting meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Perfect for Meal Prep

This soup is also a great option for meal prep. It makes a large batch, which means you can enjoy leftovers throughout the week. The flavors only improve as the soup sits, and it reheats beautifully, making it a perfect choice for lunch or dinner on multiple days. You can store the soup in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days, or freeze it for longer storage. When reheating, you can add a bit more milk or half-and-half to restore the creaminess and adjust the consistency if needed.

Nutritional Benefits

Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is not only delicious but also packed with nutritional benefits. It’s a great source of protein, thanks to the chicken, and it’s also high in fiber, particularly from the wild rice and vegetables. The carrots and celery provide essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A and vitamin C, while the chicken stock offers a dose of collagen, which is beneficial for joint health. The soup is rich in calcium from the milk and half-and-half, and the mushrooms provide a good amount of iron and B vitamins.

While the soup does contain fat from the butter, milk, and half-and-half, it’s balanced by the healthy, fiber-rich ingredients. The richness of the soup makes it feel indulgent, but it’s still a nourishing and wholesome meal.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is the ultimate comfort food, offering a perfect balance of creaminess, heartiness, and flavor. With minimal effort and the magic of the slow cooker, you can create a delicious, satisfying meal that’s perfect for cozy nights at home. The combination of tender chicken, wild rice, earthy mushrooms, and a rich, creamy broth makes this soup a favorite for any occasion. Whether you’re enjoying it on a cold evening or preparing it for a family meal, this soup is sure to become a go-to recipe in your kitchen. So, grab your slow cooker and enjoy a bowl of warmth and comfort with every spoonful!

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