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Cozy Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

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A comforting, creamy soup made with tender chicken, earthy wild rice, and vegetables in a slow cooker. This recipe requires only 15 minutes of prep time and delivers rich, soul-soothing flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 large carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (optional)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery; cook for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Add minced garlic to the skillet in the last minute of cooking, then transfer the mixture to the slow cooker.
  4. Pour in uncooked wild rice and chicken broth, stirring to distribute the rice and ensure it is submerged.
  5. Place chicken pieces on top of the rice and broth. Add the bay leaf and dried thyme. Do not stir yet.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours.
  7. Remove the bay leaf. Shred the chicken directly in the pot using two forks and stir it back into the soup.
  8. Stir in heavy cream and frozen peas. Cook on high for the last 10-15 minutes to heat through.
  9. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed before serving.

Notes

Do not add peas too early or they will turn to mush. Wild rice cooking times vary by brand, so check package instructions. If the soup thickens too much in the fridge, add a splash of broth when reheating. For a dairy-free version, swap cream for coconut milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker soup, chicken and wild rice soup, comfort food, easy dinner, healthy soup, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/cozy-slow-cooker-chicken-and-wild-rice-soup-15-min-prep/