Creamy Chicken Wild Rice (Print)
Tender chicken and wild rice combine with a rich, creamy broth for a hearty meal.
# What You Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
→ Grains
02 - 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
→ Liquids
09 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup heavy cream
11 - 1 cup whole milk
12 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Thickener
14 - 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
→ Seasonings
15 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
16 - 1 bay leaf
17 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
18 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
# How to Make:
01 - Rinse wild rice blend under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine rice with 2 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes until tender. Drain excess liquid if necessary.
02 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. Sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in minced garlic, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
04 - Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir well. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
05 - Gradually pour in remaining 4 cups chicken broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add bay leaf and bring mixture to a simmer.
06 - Stir cooked wild rice and shredded chicken into the pot. Simmer for 10 minutes to blend flavors.
07 - Reduce heat to low. Slowly stir in heavy cream and whole milk. Warm gently for 5 minutes without boiling.
08 - Remove bay leaf. Adjust seasoning if needed. Stir in chopped parsley. Serve garnished with extra parsley.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It tastes like someone who truly cares spent hours on it, even though you'll have it ready in just over an hour.
- The wild rice gives it substance without being heavy, and the cream makes every spoonful feel like a small celebration.
- It freezes beautifully, so you can always have comfort waiting in your freezer on rough days.
02 -
- The moment you add cream is delicate—once it's in, never let the soup boil, or it will separate and taste grainy instead of silky.
- Don't oversalt early; the broth concentrates as it simmers, so taste at the end and adjust then, not at the beginning.
03 -
- If you use rotisserie chicken instead of homemade, you save time and actually gain a subtle depth of flavor that makes people ask what your secret is.
- Never skip the step of rinsing the wild rice—this removes surface starch and helps each grain cook separately and stay distinct.