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!
Today I'm so happy to be sharing this ridiculously creamy and delicious soup.
It comes from a favorite Christmas Memories cookbook I picked up at a used bookstore in Asheville, N.C., one time when we visited.
(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!
So let's get cooking.
Recipe Notes:
Chicken: You can use leftover roast chicken or pick up a rotisserie chicken from the store. Or you could use leftover turkey, as the original called for. (That's especially helpful post-Thanksgiving.)
Wild rice: I use a wild rice blend (just the store brand from my local grocery store) and the instructions say it cooks in 15 minutes and then rests for another 5-10. If you are using a box wild rice, those take more like 25 minutes. If you are using a true wild rice, not a blend, they can take much longer, up to an hour. You'll need to cook the rice separately in those instances.
Peas: I love the pop of color and brightness from the peas, but you could go without if you aren't a pea fan.
Flour: 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 and easy meal that brings all the comfort and will warm you right up on a chilly night.
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
Healthy Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Ingredients
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup wild rice blend, uncooked (see notes)
- 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 all purpose flour, (or white wheat 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!
Save This Recipe
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Serena says
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 says
Oh I love that show on NPR! And I love, love wild rice!
Deanna Segrave-Daly says
Oooh I want to make this all winter long!
Kathryn says
Yes! Me too! I can't get enough 🙂
Adina says
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 says
Thanks so much Adina! I hope you and your family have a happy holiday!
Autumn @ AutumnPTW.com says
Tis the season for yummy soups! Love this recipe!
Kathryn says
Agreed!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
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 says
Merry Christmas to you too Cheyanne! Hope you have a fabulous weekend friend! XO
Logan says
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 says
That's great - I'm loving soup season too! Hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas! Miss you!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Looks wonderful! So creamy!
Kathryn says
Thanks Megan!
Elena Reinisch says
I love how quickly this soup can be made!
Kathryn says
Yes! Perfect for a quick + easy winter weeknight dinner!
Elaine Gordon says
This really looks incredible. Love how easy and healthy this is!
Kathryn says
Thanks so much Elaine!
Megan says
Love the addition of the peas!
Kathryn says
Thanks! They add a great pop of color and touch of sweetness to this soup!
Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen says
Looks so good and hearty!
Kathryn says
Thanks!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Love a warm and cozy soup!
Kathryn says
The best, right?!
Carolyn says
This sounds like the perfect winter dinner!
Kathryn says
Absolutely!
Leia says
How nice to have a healthier option for such a great soup!
Kathryn says
Thanks Leia!
Richa Gupta says
My goodness, this looks incredibly delicious!
Kathryn says
Thank you!