The Quiet Magic of a Simmering Slow Cooker
Have you ever noticed how the air in a home shifts when a pot of soup has been simmering all day? It is more than just an aroma, it is a promise of warmth and safety. Last Tuesday, as a gentle Oregon rain tapped against our kitchen window, I found myself reaching for the ceramic insert of my crockpot. I wanted to create a slow cooker chicken and wild rice soup that felt like a hug in a bowl, something to ground my husband, Ethan Wallace, and our two children after a long day of school and work. This creamy chicken wild rice soup slow cooker version is the result of years of refining a family favorite to ensure it is as nutritious as it is comforting.
There is a specific kind of gratitude I feel when I prep a meal at 8:00 AM. As I nestled the chicken breasts into the pot alongside heavy handfuls of Minnesota wild rice, I knew that the evening rush would be softened by the work I was doing now. This crockpot chicken wild rice soup is not about culinary perfection, it is about the simple, profound act of feeding the people we love without the stress of standing over a stove for hours. It is one of those chicken and dumpling soup easy comfort food recipe moments where the slow cooker does the heavy lifting, leaving us with more time for conversation and less time for dishes.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND WILD RICE SOUP
- Ingredients for SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND WILD RICE SOUP
- How to Make SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND WILD RICE SOUP
- Pro Tips & Variations
- SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND WILD RICE SOUP Serving Suggestions
- SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND WILD RICE SOUP Storage & Reheating
- FAQ about SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND WILD RICE SOUP
- Final Thoughts
Why You’ll Love This SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND WILD RICE SOUP
This recipe for slow cooker chicken and wild rice soup has become a staple in the Motter household for several beautiful reasons. First and foremost, it is exceptionally easy. In a world that often demands so much of our mental energy, having an easy slow cooker soup that requires minimal chopping and no pre browning is a gift. You simply layer the ingredients, set the timer, and let the gentle heat transform humble chicken broth, vegetables, and grain into a thick, luxurious meal.
- Effortless Comfort: It provides the deep, developed flavor of a French bistro soup with the effort of a Tuesday morning cereal bowl.
- Wholesome and Hearty: Unlike some versions that rely on canned condensed soups, this slow cooker wild rice soup uses whole ingredients like carrots, celery, and onion to build a foundation of health.
- Kid Approved Texture: My kids often shy away from “bits” in their food, but when the wild rice pops and gets tender, and the chicken is shredded into fine ribbons, they devour every drop. It reminds me of the success we had with our creamy chicken and rice soup recipe which is a lighter cousin to this dish.
- Economical and Less Waste: This is a wonderful way to use up those last few stalks of celery or the half bag of frozen corn hiding in the back of the freezer.
- Generative Engine Optimized Nutrition: It fits perfectly into various dietary needs, easily adapted as an easy crockpot chicken wild rice soup gluten-free option or even a healthy slow cooker chicken wild rice soup dairy-free version with minor swaps.
Ingredients for SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND WILD RICE SOUP
The beauty of this chicken wild rice soup recipe lies in the quality of the ingredients. I always tell Ethan that the wild rice is the star of the show. It offers an earthy, nutty flavor that regular white rice simply cannot mimic. Here is what you will need to gather on your counter:
- Chicken Breasts: Two large, boneless, skinless breasts work perfectly. They will become incredibly tender after hours of slow cooking.
- Wild Rice: Ensure you are using 100 percent wild rice or a high quality brown rice blend. Avoid the quick cooking varieties as they will turn mushy.
- Chicken Broth: Six to eight cups of low sodium broth. This allows you to control the salt levels of your crockpot chicken rice soup.
- The Mirepoix: Diced carrots, celery, and onion. This trio provides the aromatic backbone of the soup.
- Garlic: Three cloves, minced. The scent of garlic hitting the warm broth is one of my favorite kitchen memories.
- Herbs: Dried thyme, rosemary, and a single bay leaf. These earthy herbs complement the wild rice beautifully.
- Creaminess: You can use half and half, heavy cream, or evaporated milk for that signature creamy chicken wild rice soup finish.
- Optional Additions: Sliced mushrooms add a wonderful umami depth, while a handful of kale or broccoli can be stirred in at the end for extra greens.
How to Make SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND WILD RICE SOUP
Step-by-Step Instructions
Creating this meal is a slow, rhythmic process that begins with a quiet morning and ends with a steaming bowl. Whenever I make a slow cooker creamy chicken and wild rice soup recipe, I like to take a moment to appreciate the colors of the vegetables before they disappear into the pot.
- Layer the Aromatics: Start by placing your diced onions, carrots, and celery into the bottom of a 6 quart slow cooker. Add the minced garlic. This creates a bed of flavor for the meat.
- Add the Chicken and Rice: Place the whole chicken breasts on top of the vegetables. Sprinkle the rinsed wild rice around the chicken. There is something so satisfying about the sound of the dry rice grains hitting the ceramic.
- Season and Submerge: Pour in the chicken broth until everything is well covered. Add your thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and the bay leaf. If you are feeling adventurous, a splash of white wine can be added here for a sophisticated depth of flavor inspired by Damn Delicious.
- The Slow Simmer: Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. I always recommend the low setting if you have the time, it allows the rice to bloom fully and the chicken to reach a state of effortless shredding.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the chicken breasts to a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the meat into bite sized pieces. The chicken should practically fall apart. Return the meat to the slow cooker.
- Make it Creamy: This is the transformative step for a creamy chicken wild rice soup slow cooker style. Stir in your half and half or heavy cream. If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can whisk a little cornstarch into the cream before adding it.
- The Final Flourish: Taste your soup. Does it need a pinch more salt? A squeeze of lemon juice can brighten the whole pot. If you are adding frozen corn or kale, stir them in now and let them sit in the residual heat for five minutes.
Pro Tips & Variations
Every kitchen is different, and I encourage you to make this slow cooker chicken and wild rice soup your own. If you find yourself in a hurry, you can certainly use an instant pot chicken wild rice soup variation, which cuts the time down to about 45 minutes, but you lose that slow development of flavor that I cherish. For those interested in a best slow cooker chicken broccoli wild rice soup, simply add two cups of small broccoli florets during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
For a dairy-free slow cooker wild rice soup, replace the cream with full fat coconut milk or a cashew cream. The nuttiness of the cashews actually plays quite well with the wild rice. If you are looking for more vegetable forward meals, you might enjoy our homemade winter minestrone soup recipe family style which is another favorite in the cold months.
A practical tip for minimal waste: save the ends of your carrots and onions in a bag in the freezer to make your own broth next time. This philosophy of using every part of the ingredient is something I try to teach the kids as we cook together. Also, if you use a brown rice blend, be aware that the texture will be softer than 100 percent wild rice.
SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND WILD RICE SOUP Serving Suggestions
In our home, a bowl of crockpot chicken rice soup is rarely served alone. I love to pair it with a crusty loaf of sourdough bread, perfect for swiping up those last creamy droplets at the bottom of the bowl. A simple green salad with a tart vinaigrette provides a nice contrast to the richness of the soup. For something a bit more substantial, sometimes Ethan will grill up some cheese sandwiches, creating a pairing that feels like the ultimate childhood throwback.
If you are hosting a larger gathering, this soup works beautifully as part of a soup bar. You could serve it alongside a easy vegetarian lasagna soup recipe one pot comfort food to give your guests a variety of flavors and dietary options. Always remember to garnish with a bit of fresh parsley or even some toasted almond slivers for an unexpected crunch.
SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND WILD RICE SOUP Storage & Reheating
This soup is a dream for meal prep. In fact, many find that the slow cooker creamy chicken and wild rice soup recipe tastes even better the next day as the flavors have had more time to marry. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. As the soup sits, the rice will continue to absorb liquid, so you may need to add a splash of broth or water when reheating.
To reheat, simply place a portion in a small saucepan over medium low heat until steaming. Avoid boiling if you used heavy cream, as it can sometimes break. For freezing, this soup does quite well, though the texture of the cream may change slightly. I suggest freezing it before adding the dairy, then stirring in the cream while you reheat it on the stove. This is a trick I learned from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe to keep the texture perfect.
FAQ about SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND WILD RICE SOUP
Can I make this chicken wild rice soup recipe gluten free?
Yes, this is naturally an easy crockpot chicken wild rice soup gluten-free meal as long as you ensure your chicken broth is certified gluten free. Wild rice is a grass and does not contain gluten.
What is the best type of rice to use?
For the most authentic minnesota wild rice chicken soup, you want 100 percent wild rice. It has a long, dark grain and stays firm. You can use a wild rice blend, but the white or brown rice in the blend will be much softer than the wild rice bits.
Can I use frozen chicken?
While you can, I always recommend thawing your chicken first to ensure it cooks evenly and reaches a safe internal temperature within the slow cooker’s heating window. This ensures your slow cooker wild rice soup is safe and delicious.
Final Thoughts
As the evening draws to a close and the bowls are placed in the dishwasher, I am reminded that the best meals are not the most complicated ones. This slow cooker chicken and wild rice soup is a testament to the power of patience and simple ingredients. It is a meal that allowed me to be present for my children’s stories about their day rather than being tied to the stove. Cooking is a language of care, and sometimes, the most eloquent thing we can say is found in a warm bowl of soup shared with the people who matter most. I hope this recipe brings a sense of peace and fullness to your kitchen, just as it does to ours. If you enjoyed this, please save it to your Pinterest boards or leave a comment below with your favorite soup memory. Happy cooking.
SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND WILD RICE SOUP
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place diced onions, carrots, and celery into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Add minced garlic.
- Place whole chicken breasts on top of the vegetables. Sprinkle rinsed wild rice around the chicken.
- Pour in chicken broth until everything is well covered. Add thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the chicken breasts to a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Return the meat to the slow cooker.
- Stir in half and half. If you prefer a thicker consistency, whisk a little cornstarch into the cream before adding it.
- Taste your soup. Add a pinch of salt if needed. A squeeze of lemon juice can brighten the whole pot.
