There are some days when all you want is a big, warm hug in a bowl, and that’s exactly what this Cozy Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe is for me! It’s the kind of soup that just feels *right* on a chilly evening or when you’re just plain tired. The best part? You can toss everything into your slow cooker in the morning, and by dinner time, you’ve got a hearty, delicious meal practically waiting for you. Trust me, this simple yet incredibly flavorful soup has become an absolute lifesaver in my kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Cozy Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe
This soup is just pure comfort in a bowl, and here’s why it’s going to be your new go-to:
- So Easy to Make: Seriously, just dump and go! Minimal prep, maximum flavor.
- Ultimate Comfort Food: It’s warm, hearty, and just plain delicious. Perfect for chasing away the chills.
- Packed with Goodness: Tender chicken, chewy wild rice, and yummy veggies mean it’s a satisfying meal.
- Busy Day Hero: Perfect for those days when you don’t have much time to cook.
- Versatile: Great for a family dinner, a potluck, or even just leftovers for lunch!
- Kid-Friendly (Mostly!): Even picky eaters tend to love this one.
Gather Your Ingredients for the Cozy Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe
Alright, let’s get our goodies ready for this amazing soup! It’s nothin’ fancy, just good stuff that comes together like magic. You’ll need:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about a pound total)
- 1 cup of your favorite wild rice blend (I love a mix for extra texture!)
- 1 cup chopped carrots (about 2 medium carrots, peeled first)
- 1 cup chopped celery (that’s about 2-3 stalks)
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium onion)
- 6 cups chicken broth (low sodium is my pick so I can control the salt!)
- 1 teaspoon of salt (or to your taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground is best!)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (this makes it so luscious!)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for a little fresh flavor and color at the end)
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Cozy Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe
Okay, so making this soup is honestly one of the easiest things you’ll do all week. It’s almost *too* simple, which is why I love it! Just follow these few steps, and you’ll have a pot of pure comfort ready to go.
Initial Slow Cooker Assembly
First things first, grab your slow cooker. Pop those two chicken breasts right in the bottom. Then, add in your wild rice blend, the chopped carrots, celery, and onion. Pour all that glorious chicken broth over everything. Don’t forget to sprinkle in the salt and pepper while you’re at it!
Cooking Time and Temperature
Now for the magic! Cover your slow cooker nice and snug. You’ve got two options here: cook it on LOW for about 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a hurry, you can set it to HIGH for about 3 to 4 hours. Just make sure that chicken is cooked through and tender. I usually start mine in the morning and it’s perfect for dinner!
Shredding the Chicken and Finishing Touches
Once the cooking time is up, carefully take those chicken breasts out of the slow cooker. They’ll be super tender! Use two forks to shred them right up – this is way easier when they’re still warm. Then, add that perfectly shredded chicken back into the pot. Stir in the heavy cream; this really makes it rich and creamy! Finally, toss in your fresh parsley. Give it all a good stir and let it cook for about 15 more minutes, just to heat everything through. You can find more great recipe ideas here!
Tips for Success with Your Cozy Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Making this soup is pretty foolproof, but a few little tricks really make it shine. I learned these over time, and they just make everything taste *so* much better. Trust me on these!
First off, don’t skimp on the quality of your chicken broth if you can help it. A good broth really makes a difference in the overall flavor, you know? I always try to use low-sodium so I can control the saltiness just right. Also, I sometimes like to give my veggies a quick sauté before they go into the slow cooker – just a few minutes in a pan with a little oil until they soften up a bit. It really deepens their flavor!
When it comes to the rice, make sure you’re using a blend that’s meant for slow cooking. Some wild rice takes a LONG time to get tender. If yours seems a bit firm after cooking, no biggie, just cook it a bit longer on low. And a little secret? Stirring in that heavy cream at the very end, instead of cooking it the whole time, keeps it from getting weird or separating. You can find more yummy slow cooker ideas here!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Soup
This soup is pretty forgiving, so don’t sweat it if you don’t have *exactly* what’s listed! The wild rice blend is what gives it that great texture and slightly nutty flavor, but if you can’t find it, about 3/4 cup of long-grain brown rice is a decent swap. It’ll have a different chew, but still tasty!
For the chicken, you can totally use thighs if you’ve got them – they’re super flavorful and stay really moist in the slow cooker. Or, if you’re looking to make this totally meat-free, just skip the chicken and maybe add a can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans or chickpeas in the last hour of cooking. It’ll still be hearty and delicious!
Serving Suggestions for Cozy Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup
This soup is a meal all on its own, but it’s even better with a little something on the side! I love serving it with a big chunk of crusty bread – a nice sourdough or a hearty whole wheat loaf is perfect for soaking up every last drop. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette is also great to cut through that richness. Honestly, though, this soup is so satisfying, it doesn’t need much else to make it a perfect meal.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This soup is even better the next day. Just pop it into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll keep beautifully for about 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, just gently warm it up on the stovetop over medium-low heat, or pop a bowl in the microwave. If it seems a little thick, just stir in a splash more broth or cream. You can also freeze portions for up to 3 months – thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cozy Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup
You’ve got questions, and I’ve got answers! This soup is pretty straightforward, but sometimes a little extra info helps. Here are a few things folks often ask:
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! If you want to skip the chicken, just leave it out. You can still get a hearty soup by adding a can of rinsed and drained white beans (like cannellini) or chickpeas during the last hour of cooking. You might want to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, too. It’s still super cozy!
How can I make the soup thicker?
If you like your soup a little thicker, I’ve got a couple of tricks. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, you can whisk together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with about 1/4 cup of cold water until smooth. Stir that into the soup and let it simmer until it thickens up. Another way is just to let it cook a bit longer uncovered on the stovetop after you shred the chicken.
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Leftovers are the best, right? Just let the soup cool down a bit, then pop it into an airtight container. It’ll keep well in the fridge for about 3-4 days. When you want to reheat it, just warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave. You might need to add a little extra broth or cream, as it can thicken up as it sits.
Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, you can! It freezes quite nicely. Let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags. It should be good in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it gently. Perfect for a quick meal later! If you have any more questions, never hesitate to reach out!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, the nutrition info for this cozy soup is an estimate, since brands and ingredient sizes can change things up! But generally, a serving (about 1.5 cups) comes in around 450 calories, with roughly 20g of fat, 30g of protein, and 35g of carbs. It’s a hearty bowl that really satisfies without being *too* heavy!
Print
Cozy Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and hearty chicken and wild rice soup made easily in your slow cooker.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup wild rice blend
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
- Add wild rice blend, carrots, celery, onion, chicken broth, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred it.
- Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
- Stir in heavy cream and parsley.
- Cook for another 15 minutes, or until heated through.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, you can mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of cold water and stir it into the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- You can substitute brown rice for wild rice if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: slow cooker, chicken soup, wild rice soup, comfort food, easy recipe