Healthy creamy chicken and wild rice soup is filled with veggies and deliciously creamy while still being very light. Plus the recipe is ready in just 30 minutes!
I've been having the loveliest of weeks so far and I hope you have, too!
My 3-year-old has been home with me all week, as preschool is closed for the rest of the year. He's been rocking his PJ's a lot and playing with puzzles and trucks and watching me cook and workout.
He's super laid back so we've had a really good time. It's always nice to have some one-on-one time with your children without the other one around. (M and I got pedicures yesterday as a little mother-daughter date so that was a treat, too!)
I've got the week off of my day job as a health and nutrition editor, so apart from catching up and getting things holiday ready, I've had lots more time to slow down and play and relax. And I'm trying to give myself permission to do just that!
As for the food, I should probably be bringing you something a little more festive this close to Christmas, but you’re just gonna have to settle for a ridiculously creamy and delicious soup. #sorrynotsorry
Today's recipe comes from a favorite Christmas Memories cookbook I picked up at a used bookstore in Asheville, N.C., one time when we visited. (So maybe this is Christmas appropriate?!)
(It’s also the same cookbook that brought you my creamy turkey artichoke casserole.)
I’ve made this healthy creamy chicken and wild rice soup a few times already this fall and tweaked the original a bit.
I used chicken instead of turkey, I used a regular onion instead of green onion, I skipped the bacon and sherry, added peas and doubled the amount of rice - it needed it.
You may also want to check out Italian wedding soup, a slightly modified version of an Ina Garten recipe that we adore. Or this creamy chicken gnocchi soup for a really hearty, comforting soup.
It’s creamy, but light and perfect for a chilly winter night.
Plus it’s super easy to make — just throw the main ingredients in a pot, make a little side cream mixture (cause we're not using any of those cream of xyz soups!), put them together and you’ve got a well-rounded dinner ready in under 30 minutes!
Recipe Notes:
- I love the pop of color and brightness from the peas, but you could go without if you aren’t a pea fan.
- You can use leftover roast chicken or pick up a rotisserie chicken from the store. Or use leftover turkey, as the original called for.
- I use white whole wheat flour (cause that's what I always use) but you can use regular all-purpose flour or substitute a gluten-free flour if you want to make this a gluten-free recipe.
I, who loves all the toppings, generally just add salt and pepper to this at the table. But you could dress it up with some chopped fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, a few dashes of hot sauce, even a sprinkling of cooked, crumbled bacon.
And like most soups, it goes great with oyster crackers. You could serve it with some good bread or biscuits as well. (My Parmesan herb drop biscuits would pair well with this soup.)
I hope you give this creamy chicken soup a try - it’s a quick + easy meal that brings all the comfort and will warm you right up on a chilly night.
Wishing you a warm and merry Christmas - or just a lovely relaxing weekend if you don’t celebrate the holiday.
I’ll be back next week with more deliciousness. (Sign up here for my free e-newsletter so you never miss a recipe!)
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
Healthy creamy chicken and wild rice soup
Ingredients
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup wild rice, uncooked
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 4 medium carrots (or 10-12 baby carrots), finely chopped
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning (or substitute dried thyme)
- 2 cups half and half (I use fat-free)
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped
- 1 cup peas (thawed, if frozen)
Instructions
- Combine chicken broth, water, wild rice, onion, carrots and celery in a large stockpot over high heat and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes, or until rice and veggies are tender.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a small saute pan over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. (It’s OK if you’ve got small clumps of flour.)
- Add salt, pepper and poultry seasoning and stir to combine.
- Slowly add half-and-half while whisking constantly to remove the clumps and get a smooth mixture.
- Cook the cream mixture for 4-5 minutes, until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Slowly add the cream mixture to the cooked rice, stirring to combine. Stir in chicken and peas.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes, until everything is warmed through, but don’t let the mixture boil. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Video
Nutrition
Serena
I just listened to a fascinating podcast on how wild rice is harvested in Minnesota on Splendid Table. I've been craving wild rice since. Totally going to make this for my family!
Kathryn
Oh I love that show on NPR! And I love, love wild rice!
Deanna Segrave-Daly
Oooh I want to make this all winter long!
Kathryn
Yes! Me too! I can't get enough 🙂
Adina
Your days with the kids sound very much like mine, except the working out part.... 🙁 They have holidays as well starting today. I love this kind of creamy chicken rice soup, it is something my kids would eat at any given moment. Pinned! I wish a Merry Christmas!
Kathryn
Thanks so much Adina! I hope you and your family have a happy holiday!
Autumn @ AutumnPTW.com
Tis the season for yummy soups! Love this recipe!
Kathryn
Agreed!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Glad to hear you are enjoying your time off!! I hope you and your adorable family have the BEST holiday possible, Kathryn! This soup looks amazing! I love creamy soups, but I especially love when they are healthier and don't use and of that cream of xyz crap! I could totally curl up with a bowl of this right now, and it's still breakfast time! Looks super comforting and delicious, my dear! Cheers to you and a very merry Christmas! <3
Kathryn
Merry Christmas to you too Cheyanne! Hope you have a fabulous weekend friend! XO
Logan
I've been cooking soups non stop lately. Always looking for new ones for rotation! Trying this next! Yum! 'Hope y'all have a Merry Christmas!!
Kathryn
That's great - I'm loving soup season too! Hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas! Miss you!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
Looks wonderful! So creamy!
Kathryn
Thanks Megan!
Elena Reinisch
I love how quickly this soup can be made!
Kathryn
Yes! Perfect for a quick + easy winter weeknight dinner!
Elaine Gordon
This really looks incredible. Love how easy and healthy this is!
Kathryn
Thanks so much Elaine!
Megan
Love the addition of the peas!
Kathryn
Thanks! They add a great pop of color and touch of sweetness to this soup!
Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen
Looks so good and hearty!
Kathryn
Thanks!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
Love a warm and cozy soup!
Kathryn
The best, right?!
Carolyn
This sounds like the perfect winter dinner!
Kathryn
Absolutely!
Leia
How nice to have a healthier option for such a great soup!
Kathryn
Thanks Leia!
Richa Gupta
My goodness, this looks incredibly delicious!
Kathryn
Thank you!