Hearty Minnesota Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
Warm up with a bowl of Hearty Minnesota Chicken & Wild Rice Soup! Bursting with flavor, this comforting dish features tender wild rice and succulent pieces of chicken, all simmered in a rich, savory broth. The addition of fresh carrots, celery, and a touch of thyme creates a well-rounded flavor profile that perfectly complements the creamy base. Ideal for chilly evenings, this soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread for a satisfying meal. It's a family favorite that will quickly become a staple in your kitchen!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken broth
3.5 cups (homemade or store-bought)
carrots
1 cup (sliced)
celery
0.5 cup (sliced)
wild rice
0.33 cup (uncooked)
onion
0.33 cup (sliced)
dried thyme
0.5 teaspoon (dried)
butter
2 tablespoons (unsalted)
flour
3 tablespoons (all-purpose)
half-and-half cream
1 cup (unsweetened)
cooked chicken
1.5 cups (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, combine the chicken broth, sliced carrots, celery, uncooked wild rice, diced onion, dried thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Stir well to mix all the ingredients.
2
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 1 hour, or until the wild rice becomes tender and fully cooked.
3
While the soup is simmering, melt the butter in a separate saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour to create a roux, cooking it for about 1 minute until it's lightly golden in color.
4
Slowly pour in the half-and-half cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Allow this mixture to cook for an additional minute until it thickens slightly.
5
After the wild rice is tender, slowly incorporate the half-and-half mixture into the soup, stirring constantly until well combined.
6
Finally, add the cut-up cooked chicken to the pot. Stir to mix and heat the chicken through, cooking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Minnesota Chicken & Wild Rice Soup?
It is a comforting soup featuring tender wild rice, succulent chicken pieces, and fresh vegetables in a rich, savory, and creamy broth.
What vegetables are used in this recipe?
This recipe calls for 1 cup of sliced carrots, 0.5 cup of sliced celery, and 0.33 cup of sliced onions.
How much chicken broth is required?
You will need 3.5 cups of chicken broth, which can be either homemade or store-bought.
Do I use cooked or uncooked wild rice?
The recipe requires 0.33 cup of uncooked wild rice.
How long does it take for the wild rice to cook?
The wild rice should simmer in the broth for about 1 hour until it becomes tender.
What herb provides the primary flavor profile?
The soup is seasoned with 0.5 teaspoon of dried thyme.
How do I thicken the soup?
The soup is thickened by creating a roux with 2 tablespoons of butter and 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, then adding half-and-half cream.
What type of cream is used?
The recipe uses 1 cup of unsweetened half-and-half cream.
How much cooked chicken is needed?
You should add 1.5 cups of cooked chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces.
What is the first step in the instructions?
Combine the chicken broth, carrots, celery, wild rice, onion, dried thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a large pot.
How should I cook the initial broth and rice mixture?
Bring it to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low and cover to simmer.
What kind of butter is recommended?
The recipe suggests using unsalted butter.
How do I make the roux?
Melt the butter in a separate saucepan and whisk in the flour for about 1 minute until it is lightly golden.
How do I add the cream to the roux?
Slowly pour in the half-and-half while whisking continuously to avoid lumps, then cook for one minute until thickened.
When do I add the cream mixture to the main pot?
Incorporate it slowly into the soup after the wild rice has become tender, stirring constantly.
How long do I cook the chicken once it is added?
Heat the chicken through for an additional 5 to 10 minutes after adding it to the pot.
Can I use store-bought broth?
Yes, the recipe allows for either homemade or store-bought chicken broth.
What is the final step before serving?
Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
Is this soup a good winter recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as an ideal recipe for winter and chilly evenings.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
This soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread for a satisfying meal.
What type of flour is used for the roux?
The recipe uses all-purpose flour.
How should the chicken be prepared?
The chicken should be pre-cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces.
Does the recipe use dried or fresh thyme?
The recipe specifically calls for dried thyme.
Is the half-and-half cream sweetened?
No, the recipe specifies unsweetened half-and-half cream.
How do you prevent lumps in the soup?
By whisking the cream continuously when adding it to the flour and butter mixture.
What is the origin style of this soup?
It is a Minnesota-style chicken and wild rice soup.
How much pepper is added initially?
1/4 teaspoon of pepper is added at the start with the broth and vegetables.
What texture should the wild rice have?
The wild rice should be tender and fully cooked.
Is this a family-friendly meal?
Yes, the description notes it is a family favorite.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 total ingredients listed for this soup.