Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup – Your Ultimate Cozy Bowl
8-10
15 minutes
4 hours 5 minutes
There are two kinds of people in winter: those who meal prep like pros, and those who stare into the fridge hoping something hot and comforting magically appears. If you fall into the second category (hi, friend!!), let me introduce you to your new lifesaver — Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup.
This soup is the culinary equivalent of a warm blanket and fuzzy socks. It’s cozy, nourishing, and filled with everything good: tender chicken, hearty wild rice, and creamy, flavor-packed broth. Even better? The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you go live your life (or, you know, binge-watch Netflix and recover from another chaotic Monday).
It’s comfort food that doesn’t make you feel guilty — and it tastes like a hug in a bowl.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Let’s be real — not every “easy” recipe actually delivers. But this one? It’s the real deal. Here’s why it deserves a permanent spot in your dinner rotation:
- Effortless prep: Chop, toss, press start, and walk away. The slow cooker does all the magic.
- Flavor that builds: The longer it simmers, the more those herbs, veggies, and chicken cozy up together into a creamy, dreamy masterpiece.
- Good-for-you comfort: Loaded with veggies, lean protein, and hearty rice, it’s nourishing without the food coma.
- Perfect for meal prep: It reheats beautifully and makes incredible leftovers.
- Budget-friendly: Uses simple, everyday ingredients — no fancy store runs required.
Basically, it’s the adulting trifecta: cheap, easy, and delicious.
Key Ingredients That Make This Soup a Star
Let’s break down what makes this Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup so ridiculously satisfying.
Chicken

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the base of this soup. They become perfectly tender as they slow cook, practically shredding themselves by the time you’re ready to serve. You can also use chicken thighs for a richer, juicier flavor if that’s your thing.
Wild Rice

Wild rice adds nutty flavor and chewy texture, giving this soup its hearty bite. Skip the parboiled kind — it turns to mush faster than your weekend motivation on Monday morning. Use true, uncooked wild rice or a wild rice blend for the best texture.
Veggies Galore

Carrots, celery, and onions (aka the holy trinity of comfort food) create that rich, homey base. They melt into the broth, adding both sweetness and depth.
Garlic & Seasoning Blend

Garlic brings the warmth, while a salt-free seasoning mix (like Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute or Mrs. Dash) layers in all those herby, savory notes. The trick here is using a salt-free blend since we’re adding broth later — you want flavor, not a sodium overload.
The Creamy Dream Team A roux made from butter, olive oil, flour, and milk turns the broth into creamy perfection. This step happens at the end — so your soup goes from cozy to creamy-chic in minutes
Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup
8-10
servings15
minutes4
hours5
minutes4
hours20
minutesIngredients
1 cup uncooked wild rice blend (NOT parboiled)
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 cup onions, chopped
¾ cup celery, chopped
¾ cup carrots, chopped
4–5 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups water (or additional broth)
2 tbsp salt-free seasoning blend
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil (or use more butter)
½ cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
- Load Up the Slow Cooker
Start by rinsing your wild rice under running water. Then, toss the rice, chicken breast, chopped onions, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaves, chicken broth, water, and seasoning blend into your slow cooker. Give everything a quick stir, then cover.
Cook on high for 3–4 hours or low for 7–8 hours — your house will start to smell like a cozy cabin in the woods, minus the drafty windows. - Shred the Chicken
About 30 minutes before the cook time is up, remove the chicken breasts and let them cool slightly. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces — it should come apart easily.
- Make It Creamy
In a small saucepan, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the flour, whisking constantly for about a minute to cook out that raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking the whole time until smooth and thickened.
This creamy mixture is your soup’s secret weapon — it adds that luscious texture that turns a good soup into a great one. - Bring It All Together
Add the shredded chicken and creamy mixture back into the slow cooker. Stir gently until everything’s fully combined and the broth thickens slightly. If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk or broth to loosen it up. - Season and Serve
Taste, season with salt and pepper, and serve warm. Bonus points if you have crusty bread nearby — because dipping is basically mandatory.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Love
If you’re ready to make this Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup, here are a few kitchen heroes that make it even easier (and cleaner!):
Set it, forget it, and let it do the work.
Makes veggie chopping a breeze.
No more garlic fingers.
Essential for that smooth, creamy roux.
Because serving soup should feel fancy.
For fridge or freezer leftovers.
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Ways to Enjoy Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup
This soup is so versatile it practically deserves its own fan club. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it up:
With Bread or Biscuits
Serve with warm, crusty French bread or fluffy buttermilk biscuits. Because what’s soup without something to dunk?
Over Rice or Quinoa
If you’re extra hungry, serve a ladleful of soup over a bowl of cooked brown rice or quinoa. It’s like chili and stew had a creamy baby.
Soup + Sandwich Combo
Pair it with a grilled cheese (yes, we’re adults, but we still deserve melty cheese moments).
Leftovers for Lunch
This soup reheats like a dream — just add a splash of broth or milk before warming it up. Lunch meal prep = handled.

Tips for the Best Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Here’s how to take your soup from good to oh-my-god-I-need-seconds.
Taste As You Go
Start with a salt-free seasoning blend, then season at the end. Every broth brand is different, and this ensures you don’t go overboard.
Use Milk or Half-and-Half
If you want an ultra-rich soup, swap half the milk for half-and-half. You’ll get that restaurant-level creaminess without a single regret.
Thighs vs. Breasts
Chicken thighs bring a deeper, richer flavor, while breasts stay lean and mild. Either works beautifully — it’s all about your preference.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The soup will thicken as it cools, so when reheating, add a splash of milk or broth to loosen it up.
Freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months — just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Add Extra Flavor
Want to boost it even more? Stir in fresh thyme, a squeeze of lemon juice, or a handful of spinach near the end. It brightens everything up.
FAQs
The Cozy Conclusion
This Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup is everything you want in a winter dinner: easy, hearty, healthy(ish), and packed with flavor. It’s the kind of soup that turns a rough Monday into a manageable one and makes your house smell like someone’s cozy grandma lives there (minus the cat hair).
So go ahead — dust off that slow cooker, chop a few veggies, and let this soup do its thing while you reclaim your evening. Whether you’re sick, snowed in, or simply too tired to adult, one spoonful of this creamy, dreamy comfort will make everything feel right again.
More slow-cooker favorite recipes:
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