Velvety Wild Rice & Mushroom Chicken Soup Recipe to Savor

Hearty soups offer comfort during chilly evenings, and this creamy mushroom chicken and wild rice soup delivers pure culinary magic.

Packed with robust flavors and wholesome ingredients, the recipe weaves together tender chicken and earthy mushrooms in a velvety broth.

wild rice adds delightful texture and nutty undertones to each spoonful.

Sautéed mushrooms infuse deep, rich notes that complement the succulent chicken perfectly.

Simmering slowly allows the ingredients to meld into a luxurious, satisfying meal that warms you from the inside out.

Quick to assemble and bursting with nutrients, this soup promises to become a cherished staple in your cooking repertoire.

Grab your stockpot and let’s dive into a bowl of pure comfort.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 7

What You’ll Need for Creamy Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps sauté vegetables smoothly, choose unsalted for better control of saltiness.
• Chicken Broth: Creates the soup's foundation, select low-sodium for healthier option with deeper chicken flavor.
• Wild Rice: Provides hearty texture and nutty taste, look for organic varieties with mixed grain sizes.

• Chicken, Mushrooms, Onions, Carrots, Celery: Combine for robust, wholesome soup base, select fresh seasonal produce for maximum flavor and nutrition.
• Garlic: Brings intense aromatic depth, choose firm, plump cloves without sprouting.

• Milk, Grated Cheese: Delivers luxurious creaminess and tangy undertones, select full-fat cheese for richer consistency.
• Thyme: Adds subtle herbal note, fresh herbs provide more vibrant taste than dried.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhances overall flavor profile, use freshly ground black pepper for more intense taste.

Equipment Checklist for Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

• Large Pan: Essential for sautéing mushrooms, vegetables, and creating the soup base.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping mushrooms, onions, carrots, and celery.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise vegetable and ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps ensure accurate ingredient quantities.
• Ladle: Useful for serving the creamy soup.
• Cheese Grater: Required for grating the cheese into the soup.

Directions for Cooking Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

• Mushroom Preparation

Sauté fresh mushrooms in butter over medium heat, allowing them to release and evaporate their natural juices, creating a rich, concentrated flavor.

• Vegetable Softening

Transform diced onions, carrots, and celery into a tender, aromatic base by gently cooking them until they become soft and translucent.

• Herb and Garlic Infusion

Awaken the kitchen with fragrant garlic and thyme, releasing their essential oils and creating a deep, comforting aroma.

• Liquid and Protein Harmony

Combine chicken broth, wild rice, and cooked chicken in a harmonious blend, simmering slowly to allow flavors to meld and rice to become perfectly tender.

• Creamy Finish

Enrich the soup with milk and grated cheese, stirring until a luxurious, smooth texture develops, then season with salt and pepper to elevate the overall taste experience.

Flavor Upgrades for Creamy Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

• Choose a mix of fresh mushrooms like cremini, shiitake, or oyster for deeper, more complex flavor profiles that elevate the soup's richness.
• Replace chicken with rotisserie turkey, shredded beef, or plant-based protein like tofu for versatile meal options that suit different dietary preferences.
• Rinse wild rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent clumping, ensuring a perfectly separated and fluffy texture in every spoonful.
• Adjust milk thickness by using half-and-half for extra richness or unsweetened almond milk for a lighter version that still maintains a luxurious mouthfeel.
• Experiment with fresh herb combinations like rosemary, sage, or parsley to add unexpected depth and brightness to the soup's overall flavor profile.

How to Serve the Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

• Cozy Family Dinner Centerpiece: Serve this hearty soup in deep ceramic bowls with rustic bread on the side for dipping and soaking up the creamy broth.
• Garnish with Freshness: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives on top to add a bright green color and light herbal flavor that complements the rich soup.
• Pair with Perfect Companions: Accompany the soup with a crisp green salad or a light white wine to balance the creamy, comforting texture of the dish.

Keeping Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Fresh

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to maintain its rich, creamy texture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer the soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a delicious meal is always ready when you need it.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and maintain the soup's creamy consistency.
• Batch Prep Like a Pro: Double the recipe and portion out extra servings for quick weeknight dinners. Label containers with the date and contents to keep track of your make-ahead meals effortlessly.

Velvety Mushroom Chicken And Wild Rice Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty, comforting creamy mushroom chicken and wild rice soup blends earthy mushrooms with tender chicken in a rich, velvety broth. Warm bowls of this classic soup promise comfort and satisfaction for hungry diners seeking a nourishing meal.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (1 pound) mushrooms, sliced
• 6 cups (1.4 L) chicken broth
• 1 cup (200 g) wild rice (or a blend of rice including wild rice)
• 1 ½ cups (225 g) chicken, cooked and diced or shredded
• 1 cup (240 mL) milk or cream
• 1 cup (100 g) parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp (5 mL) thyme, chopped
• 3 tbsps (45 mL) butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Mushroom Preparation: Caramelize mushrooms in butter over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until they release and reabsorb their natural moisture, developing a deep, rich flavor profile, about 10-15 minutes.
2. Aromatic Base: In the same pan, sauté onions, carrots, and celery until they become tender and translucent, then introduce minced garlic and thyme, allowing the aromatics to bloom and release their essential oils for about 1 minute.
3. Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth into the pan, adding wild rice, pre-cooked chicken, and prepared mushrooms. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently, covered, until wild rice reaches a perfectly tender consistency, approximately 20-30 minutes.
4. Creamy Finish: Gently stir in whole milk and freshly grated cheese, ensuring continuous mixing until the cheese completely melts and integrates, creating a velvety smooth texture.
5. Final Seasoning: Taste and refine the flavor profile with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to achieve a harmonious and balanced result.

Notes

• Mushroom Caramelization Technique: Patience is key when sautéing mushrooms; wait until they release and reabsorb their moisture to develop a deep, rich flavor and achieve a beautiful golden-brown color.
• Aromatic Base Building: Sweating vegetables slowly develops a foundational flavor that transforms the entire soup’s depth and complexity, so avoid rushing this crucial step.
• Rice Cooking Precision: Wild rice requires longer cooking time compared to other rice varieties; ensure it’s fully tender but not mushy by monitoring liquid levels and cooking time carefully.
• Cheese Melting Secret: Add cheese off direct heat and stir continuously to prevent clumping, creating a silky smooth texture that perfectly blends throughout the soup.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg