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Creamy Crockpot Chicken & Wild Rice Soup – Cozy Comfort in a Bowl

This Creamy Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup is the ultimate comfort food—rich, hearty, and packed with flavor. Tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and a velvety broth come together effortlessly in your slow cooker, making it a perfect set-it-and-forget-it meal. Ideal for busy weeknights, cold weather, or meal prepping for the week. One spoonful and you'll be hooked!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Course Main course, Soup
Cuisine American / Comfort Food
Servings 8
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Crockpot / Slow Cooker
  • Cutting board & knife
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Large sauté pan (optional, for aromatics)
  • Ladle
  • Mixing bowl (for roux or slurry)

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1 cup uncooked wild rice (or wild rice blend)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp dried rosemary
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free)
  • 1½ cups milk (or coconut milk/cashew cream for dairy-free)
  • Optional: mushrooms, spinach, corn, bacon
  • Garnish: fresh parsley, cracked pepper, lemon zest

Instructions
 

  • Prep Aromatics: Sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic in a pan with a bit of oil or butter for 5 minutes until softened.
  • Layer Ingredients in Crockpot: Add chicken to the bottom. Top with sautéed aromatics, wild rice, herbs, bay leaf, and broth.
  • Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 4–5 hours, until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
  • Shred Chicken: Remove chicken, shred with forks, and return to crockpot.
  • Make Creamy Base: In a saucepan, melt butter, whisk in flour, then slowly add milk. Cook until thickened. (Or mix cornstarch with cold milk for slurry.)
  • Add Creamy Base: Stir into crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
  • Optional Add-ins: Add mushrooms, spinach, or corn in the final hour.
  • Finish & Serve: Adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley, pepper, and lemon zest. Serve with crusty bread or salad.

Notes

  • Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze for 2 months.
  • Reheating: Add splash of broth or milk and stir in fresh herbs.
  • Shortcut: Use rotisserie chicken—add during final hour.
  • Flavor Boost: Splash of sherry or white wine adds depth.
  • Dietary Swaps: Coconut milk for dairy-free, cornstarch for gluten-free, white beans for vegetarian.
 
Keyword Chicken wild rice soup, Comfort Food, creamy soup, crockpot soup, fall soup, slow cooker recipe, winter soups