Cozy Creamy Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Creamy mushroom chicken and wild rice soup brings comfort straight to your kitchen with its rich, earthy essence.

Hearty ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that warm you from the inside out.

Mushrooms provide a deep, woodsy undertone while tender chicken adds protein-packed substance to this soul-soothing dish.

wild rice introduces a nutty complexity that elevates the entire culinary experience beyond ordinary soup recipes.

Home cooks appreciate how effortlessly this recipe upgrades simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Professional chefs and amateur kitchen enthusiasts alike recognize the magic of perfectly balanced textures and robust seasonings.

The blend of creamy elements and rustic components makes this soup a standout meal that feels simultaneously elegant and homey.

Ingredients in the Wild Rice Soup

Main Ingredients:

Wild Rice and Chicken: – Wild Rice: Hearty whole grain that adds nutty flavor and chewy texture to the soup. – Chicken: Protein-rich component that provides a satisfying and filling element to the dish.

Vegetables: – Mushrooms: Earthy and rich ingredient that adds depth of flavor and umami. – Onions, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup base vegetables that provide aromatic foundation and nutritional complexity.

Dairy and Seasonings: – Butter: Rich, flavorful fat for sautéing and creating a smooth base. – Milk: Creamy liquid that contributes to the soup’s velvety texture. – Grated Cheese: Adds rich, tangy flavor and helps thicken the soup. – Garlic, Thyme: Aromatic herbs and spices that enhance overall taste profile.

Liquid Base: – Chicken Broth: Foundational liquid that provides depth and richness to the soup.

Finishing Seasonings: – Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and enhance the soup’s flavors.

How to Make This Creamy Mushroom Soup

Step 1: Sauté Mushrooms

Melt butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook until they release their liquids and the liquid completely evaporates, approximately 10-15 minutes. Remove mushrooms and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare Vegetable Base

• Onions
• Carrots
• Celery

Cook until vegetables become tender, around 8-10 minutes.

Step 3: Add Aromatic Herbs

Introduce garlic and thyme to the pan. Cook until the herbs become fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 4: Combine Soup Ingredients

• Chicken broth
• Wild rice
• Cooked chicken
• Prepared mushrooms

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer covered until rice becomes tender, approximately 20-30 minutes.

Step 5: Finish and Season Soup

Stir in milk and grated cheese. Cook until cheese melts completely. Season with salt and pepper according to taste preferences. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy mushroom chicken and wild rice soup.

Tips for a Rich and Creamy Soup

• Sauté Mushrooms Perfectly: Allow mushrooms to release and evaporate their liquid completely for deeper, more concentrated flavor without excess moisture.
• Choose Right Rice: Wild rice adds nutty texture and takes longer to cook, so ensure it's fully tender before adding dairy ingredients to prevent separation.
• Layer Flavor Gradually: Cook vegetables and aromatics sequentially to build complex, rich taste profile that enhances the overall soup's depth.
• Select Quality Cheese: Use freshly grated cheese that melts smoothly, creating a creamy consistency without graininess or clumping.
• Control Liquid Consistency: Simmer soup uncovered for a few extra minutes if too thin, allowing natural reduction to achieve desired thickness without compromising flavor.

Storage and Reheat Instructions for Soup

• Refrigeration: Transfer leftover soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming.
• Reheating: Warm the soup slowly in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth or milk to restore the creamy consistency if needed. Avoid boiling, which can cause the dairy to separate and the rice to become mushy.
• Freezing: Freeze soup without the dairy components for best results. Cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently, stirring in fresh milk and cheese when warming.

Best Pairings for Mushroom and Rice Soup

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chardonnay or sauvignon blanc complements the creamy, earthy mushroom flavors and cuts through the richness of the soup.
• Serve with Crusty Artisan Bread: A rustic sourdough or herb-infused focaccia provides the perfect crunchy texture to contrast the smooth, velvety soup.
• Match with Fresh Green Salad: A light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette adds brightness and helps balance the soup's creamy, hearty profile.
• Enhance with Roasted Asparagus: Tender roasted asparagus spears with a touch of parmesan echo the mushroom's earthiness and add a nutritious side dish.

Creamy Mushroom Soup Variants

• Hearty Veggie Fusion: Replace chicken with roasted butternut squash and add spinach for a vegetarian version packed with nutrients and earthy flavors.
• Spicy Southwest Splash: Incorporate diced green chiles, swap wild rice for brown rice, and add cumin and smoked paprika to give the soup a zesty southwestern kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Substitute thyme with oregano and rosemary, use feta cheese instead of traditional grated cheese, and add sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean-inspired profile.
• Creamy Seafood Remix: Replace chicken with tender shrimp or crab meat, use seafood stock instead of chicken broth, and sprinkle fresh dill for an oceanic transformation.

Creamy Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup You’ll Savor

• Craft Layers of Comfort: This soup builds deep flavor through carefully sautéed vegetables and mushrooms, creating a rich, warming dish that hugs your taste buds with every spoonful.
• Effortless Gourmet Experience: The recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal, requiring minimal cooking skills while delivering maximum deliciousness through strategic layering of ingredients and cooking techniques.
• Nutritious One-Pot Wonder: Packed with protein from chicken, wholesome wild rice, and nutrient-dense vegetables, this soup delivers a complete meal in a single pot, making cleanup a breeze and nutrition a priority.

Creamy Mushroom Chicken And Wild Rice Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy mushroom chicken and wild rice soup brings hearty comfort from Northern kitchens, blending rich earthy flavors with tender chicken and nutty wild rice. Warmth fills each spoonful, inviting diners to savor this soul-soothing meal perfect for chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound mushrooms, sliced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup wild rice (or a blend of rice including wild rice)
• 1 ½ cups chicken, cooked and diced or shredded
• 1 cup milk or cream
• 1 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated

Aromatics and Vegetables:

• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 teaspoon thyme, chopped

Fats and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Sauté mushrooms in butter over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until they release and reabsorb their natural moisture, creating a rich, caramelized texture, approximately 10-15 minutes.
2. In the same pan, introduce another tablespoon of butter and gently sweat the onions, carrots, and celery until they become tender and translucent, roughly 8-10 minutes.
3. Introduce minced garlic and fragrant thyme, allowing the aromatics to bloom and release their essential oils for about 1 minute.
4. Pour in chicken broth, then add wild rice, pre-cooked chicken pieces, and the previously prepared mushrooms. Bring the liquid to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat and allow the mixture to simmer gently, covered, until the wild rice reaches a perfectly tender consistency, approximately 20-30 minutes.
5. Incorporate whole milk and freshly grated cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese completely melts and integrates into the soup, creating a smooth and creamy texture.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring a balanced and harmonious flavor profile.

Notes

• Maximize mushroom flavor by cooking them until all liquid evaporates, concentrating their rich, earthy taste.
• Choose wild rice for added texture and nutty undertones that elevate the soup’s complexity.
• Prep vegetables in advance to ensure even cooking and save time during the recipe process.
• Use leftover cooked chicken to transform this soup into a quick and convenient meal option.
• Low and slow simmering helps develop deep, interconnected flavors while keeping the ingredients tender.
• Grate cheese fresh for superior melting and a more luxurious, creamy soup consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 341 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg