Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup – Your Ultimate Cozy Bowl

Servings

8-10

Prep time

15 minutes

Cooking time

4 hours 5 minutes

Jump to Recipe

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

Recipe by Dee
Servings

8-10

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

4

hours 

5

minutes
Total time

4

hours 

20

minutes

Ingredients

  • 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.Shredded chicken
  • 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!):

Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker
$94.99 $89.99

Set it, forget it, and let it do the work.

Buy on Amazon
11/01/2025 07:46 pm GMT
Classic 8 Inch Chef s Knife
$170.00

Makes veggie chopping a breeze.

Shop Amazon
11/02/2025 06:13 pm GMT
Garlic Press with Built-In Cleaning Tool
$29.94

No more garlic fingers.

Shop Amazon
11/01/2025 06:11 pm GMT
11-Inch Balloon Whisk
$13.95

Essential for that smooth, creamy roux.

Shop Amazon
11/02/2025 06:13 pm GMT
All-Clad Soup Ladle
$29.95

Because serving soup should feel fancy.


Shop Amazon
11/02/2025 06:14 pm GMT
24 Piece Food Storage Containers Set w/Lids
$54.99 $49.99

For fridge or freezer leftovers.

Shop Amazon
11/02/2025 06:13 pm GMT

(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you!)

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.

Ways to Enjoy Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

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:


Affiliate Disclosure
This blog contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click on a link and make a purchase or subscribe to a service. As an affiliate marketer, I partner with various companies and receive compensation for promoting their products or services. This in no way affects the opinions or recommendations I give.

Adulting Like A Grown-Up is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

You Might Also Like