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Let me share my ultimate comfort food recipe this creamy chicken and wild rice soup! I've perfected this over countless cozy evenings and it never fails to bring warmth and satisfaction to our family table. The combination of earthy wild rice tender chicken and rich cream creates pure magic in every spoonful.
Benefits of This Recipe
What I love most about this soup is how it brings together such wonderful flavors while being so simple to make! The wild rice and mushrooms give it such incredible depth and that touch of cream makes everything feel luxurious. It's become my go to recipe for both busy weeknights and special gatherings.
Ingredients for Soup
- Chicken Breasts: I always look for fresh never frozen they stay so tender!
- Wild Rice: That glossy black rice brings such wonderful texture.
- Butter: Good quality butter makes all the difference.
- Vegetables: The combination of onions garlic and two kinds of mushrooms creates amazing flavor.
- Chicken Stock: Homemade if you have it but good quality store bought works too.
- Heavy Cream: Just enough to make it silky smooth.
- Flour: Creates that perfect velvety thickness.
- Seasonings: Simple but essential for perfect flavor.
Let's Make It Together
- Starting with Vegetables
- Watch those mushrooms and onions transform in the butter they'll release such amazing aromas!
- Making Our Base
- That roux is crucial for thickness take your time whisking out any lumps.
- Cooking the Chicken
- Let it simmer gently until it's perfectly tender.
- Shredding Time
- Two forks make quick work of creating perfect bite sized pieces.
- Bringing It All Together
- When that cream goes in everything becomes silky smooth and delicious!
All About Those Mushrooms
I love using both shiitake and baby portobellos they each bring something special to the soup! Just remember to clean them gently with a damp cloth we don't want them waterlogged.
Perfect Wild Rice
Here's my foolproof method for cooking wild rice it comes out perfect every time! I often cook extra to keep in the fridge it makes throwing this soup together so much quicker.
Keep It Fresh
This soup actually gets better after a day or two in the fridge! Just reheat it gently and it's like having a fresh pot. It freezes beautifully too I always make extra for busy days ahead.
Make It a Meal
Nothing beats dunking fresh bread into this soup! Sometimes I'll serve it with a bright Caesar salad on the side the contrast is just perfect.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prepare the rice ahead of time?
- Yes, you can cook the wild rice a day ahead (1 cup rice to 3 cups water, simmer 45 minutes) or use precooked rice for convenience.
- → What kind of mushrooms work best?
- The recipe uses a mix of shiitake and baby portabella mushrooms, but you can use any combination of mushrooms you prefer.
- → How do I know when the chicken is done?
- The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which takes about 20 minutes of simmering.
- → Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
- Yes, you can use pre-cooked shredded chicken. Add it with the cream and rice near the end of cooking.
- → Can I freeze this soup?
- While possible, cream-based soups can separate when frozen. For best results, enjoy fresh or store in the refrigerator for a few days.