Hearty Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup
This comforting Hearty Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup is the perfect dish for chilly evenings or cozy gatherings. Made with tender chunks of chicken thighs, flavorful wild rice, and a medley of vegetables, it's a rich and satisfying meal that's simple to prepare. The slow cooker allows the ingredients to meld beautifully, resulting in a creamy, delicious soup that warms you from the inside out. Plus, with the option to precook the rice and add it just before serving, you'll avoid the common issue of mushy rice. Enjoy a bowl of this delightful soup, and let it transport you to a place of comfort and warmth.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 lb (cut into 1-inch pieces)
wild rice
1/2 cup (uncooked)
onion
1/4 cup (chopped (fresh or frozen))
condensed cream of potato soup
2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans (none)
chicken broth
1 (14 ounce) can (none)
garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon (none)
frozen sliced carrots
2 cups (none)
half-and-half
1 cup (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing your wild rice according to package instructions, or for best results, cook it the night before, allow it to cool, and refrigerate.
2
Place the diced chicken thighs in the bottom of a 3 1/2 to 4-quart slow cooker.
3
In a separate large bowl, combine the uncooked wild rice, chopped onion, cream of potato soup, chicken broth, garlic powder, and frozen sliced carrots. Stir until well mixed.
4
Pour the mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated.
5
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on the Low heat setting for 7 to 8 hours.
6
Once the cooking time is complete, stir in the half-and-half and increase the heat setting to High.
7
Cover and cook for an additional 15 to 30 minutes, or until the soup is thoroughly heated.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup?
It is a comforting slow-cooker soup made with chicken thighs, wild rice, vegetables, and a creamy base.
What size slow cooker is recommended for this recipe?
A 3 1/2 to 4-quart slow cooker is the ideal size for this soup.
How long does it take to cook the soup?
The soup cooks for 7 to 8 hours on the Low heat setting, plus an additional 15 to 30 minutes on High after adding the dairy.
Should the chicken be cooked before putting it in the slow cooker?
No, place the raw diced chicken thighs directly into the bottom of the slow cooker.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
Boneless skinless chicken thighs are recommended as they stay tender during the long cooking process.
How much chicken is required?
You will need 1 pound of chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces.
Do I need to precook the wild rice?
For best results and to avoid mushy rice, you can cook it the night before, though the recipe also allows mixing uncooked rice with the other ingredients.
What kind of rice should I use?
This recipe specifically uses wild rice, which provides a unique texture and flavor.
Can I use frozen onions?
Yes, the recipe allows for either fresh or frozen chopped onions.
What acts as the base for the creamy broth?
The base is made from condensed cream of potato soup, chicken broth, and half-and-half.
How much wild rice is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of uncooked wild rice.
When do I add the half-and-half?
The half-and-half should be stirred in after the initial 7 to 8 hours of slow cooking is complete.
Why do I switch the slow cooker to High at the end?
The heat is increased to High for the final 15-30 minutes to ensure the soup is thoroughly heated after adding the cold half-and-half.
What vegetables are included in this soup?
The recipe includes frozen sliced carrots and chopped onions.
How many cans of potato soup are used?
You will need two 10 3/4 ounce cans of condensed cream of potato soup.
Is there any seasoning in this recipe?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder is used for seasoning.
Can I use fresh carrots instead of frozen?
Yes, although the recipe calls for frozen sliced carrots, fresh ones can be substituted if sliced thinly.
How much chicken broth is required?
The recipe uses one 14 ounce can of chicken broth.
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, you can substitute chicken breast, but thighs are less likely to dry out during long slow cooking.
What is the preparation for the chicken?
The chicken should be cut into 1-inch pieces.
Is this soup considered a hearty meal?
Yes, it is described as a rich and satisfying meal perfect for chilly evenings.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is preparing the wild rice according to package instructions or cooking it ahead of time.
Should I stir the soup while it cooks?
The ingredients are stirred before cooking begins, and then again when adding the half-and-half at the end.
How much half-and-half is used?
One cup of half-and-half is added at the end of the cooking time.
Can I make this soup gluten-free?
You would need to ensure that the condensed cream of potato soup and chicken broth are certified gluten-free.
Is this recipe simple to prepare?
Yes, it is a simple slow cooker meal where most ingredients meld together over several hours.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include soup, slow cooker, chicken, wild rice, comfort food, creamy, hearty, and crock pot.
How much onion is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of chopped onion.
Should the chicken be at the bottom or top of the slow cooker?
The chicken should be placed at the bottom, with the other ingredients poured over it.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, provided you use a larger slow cooker (6-quart or larger) to accommodate the increased volume.