Description
A comforting and hearty Crockpot Chicken & Wild Rice Soup made with tender chicken, wholesome wild rice blend, fresh vegetables, and a creamy broth slowly cooked to perfection. This slow cooker recipe offers an easy way to enjoy a warm, flavorful meal with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend
- 3 carrots (peeled and diced)
- 2 celery stalks (diced)
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
Creamy Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup half and half or heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Add the chicken, wild rice, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, chicken broth, salt, pepper, dried thyme, and poultry seasoning into the slow cooker. Stir briefly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook the Soup: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours until the wild rice is tender and the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken pieces from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker to incorporate.
- Prepare Creamy Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour until a smooth paste forms, then gradually whisk in the half and half (or heavy cream), stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and is smooth.
- Combine Sauce with Soup: Pour the thickened creamy sauce into the slow cooker and stir well. Let the soup cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the soup to thicken further.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if necessary, then serve hot for a satisfying and warming meal.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for a juicier and more flavorful soup, but chicken breasts work well too.
- The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch.
- Wild rice blend adds a nutty texture and works better than plain wild rice due to faster cooking.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms or peas for additional flavor and nutrition.
