Creamy Chicken Wild Rice (Printer-friendly)
A rich blend of chicken, wild rice, and vegetables in a smooth, creamy broth suited for chilly days.
# What You Need:
→ Poultry & Broth
01 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
03 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 carrots, diced
06 - 2 celery stalks, diced
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 cup cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
→ Rice
09 - 1 cup wild rice, rinsed
→ Creamy Base
10 - 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
11 - 1 cup whole milk
12 - 1 cup heavy cream
→ Seasonings
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 teaspoon dried parsley
15 - 1 bay leaf
16 - 3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
17 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Garnish (optional)
18 - Fresh parsley, chopped
# How to Make It:
01 - Melt butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and mushrooms; sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add diced chicken and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until lightly browned but not fully cooked through.
04 - Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flavor.
05 - Gradually pour in chicken broth while stirring to combine and dissolve the flour evenly.
06 - Stir in wild rice, thyme, parsley, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook for 35 to 40 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
07 - Remove and discard the bay leaf.
08 - Stir in whole milk and heavy cream. Simmer uncovered for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the soup thickens slightly.
09 - Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It feels like a comforting hug in a bowl, perfect for those cold nights when you want something hearty yet gentle.
- The blend of earthy wild rice with tender chicken creates a harmony of textures that keeps everyone asking for seconds.
02 -
- Rinsing the wild rice before cooking removes husks and prevents bitterness, making all the difference in taste.
- Adding flour directly to the hot vegetables and chicken while stirring keeps the soup creamy without lumps.
03 -
- Use a wooden spoon to avoid scratching your pot and stir gently to keep rice grains intact.
- The key to perfect creaminess is gradual addition of cream and milk, simmering gently to meld without curdling.