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Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

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This creamy slow cooker chicken and wild rice soup is a comforting, easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for busy days. With tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and a velvety broth, it’s a crowd-pleaser that tastes like it simmered all day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup (180g) wild rice blend
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 medium carrots, diced
  • 3 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Sauté the vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and onion is translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Transfer to slow cooker: Scrape the sautéed vegetables into a 6-quart slow cooker. Deglaze the skillet with a splash of chicken broth and add that to the slow cooker as well.
  3. Add chicken and rice: Place chicken thighs in a single layer on top of the vegetables. Sprinkle wild rice blend evenly around the chicken. Do not stir.
  4. Pour in broth and seasonings: Slowly pour chicken broth over everything. Add dried thyme, crushed rosemary, bay leaves, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Stir gently.
  5. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until chicken is tender and rice is cooked.
  6. Shred the chicken: Remove chicken thighs with tongs, let cool slightly, then shred with two forks. Discard any large fat pieces. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
  7. Add the cream: Pour in heavy cream and stir gently. Cook on LOW for another 15-20 minutes to heat through. Do not boil.
  8. Adjust seasoning and serve: Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.

Notes

Don’t add the cream too early to prevent curdling. For best texture, cook on LOW. The soup thickens as it sits; add extra broth when reheating if needed. Freeze before adding cream for best results.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken soup, wild rice soup, creamy chicken soup, easy soup recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/creamy-slow-cooker-chicken-and-wild-rice-soup-easy-recipe/