Parmesan Mushroom Chicken Wild Rice Soup (Printable view)

Creamy soup loaded with chicken, mushrooms, wild rice, and Parmesan for ultimate comfort.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 ounces), diced into bite-sized pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 9 ounces cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
03 - 1 medium onion, diced
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Grains

07 - 1 cup (6.5 ounces) wild rice, rinsed thoroughly

→ Liquids

08 - 6 cups (48 ounces) chicken broth, preferably low sodium
09 - 1 cup (8 ounces) whole milk or half-and-half

→ Dairy

10 - 1/2 cup (2 ounces) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

→ Fats

11 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Thickeners

12 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend

→ Herbs & Seasonings

13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
16 - Salt to taste

→ Garnish

17 - Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# How To Make:

01 - Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced chicken and cook until lightly browned and cooked through, 5-6 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
02 - Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the pot. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add mushrooms and garlic; cook another 4 minutes until mushrooms release moisture and begin to brown.
03 - Sprinkle flour over vegetables, stirring constantly. Cook for 1 minute to eliminate raw flour taste and create a smooth base.
04 - Gradually pour in chicken broth while stirring to prevent lumps. Add wild rice, thyme, bay leaf, black pepper, and a pinch of salt.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender and flavors meld.
06 - Return cooked chicken to pot. Stir in milk and Parmesan cheese. Cook 3-4 minutes until heated through and slightly thickened. Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning, and serve hot garnished with extra Parmesan and parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The wild rice adds this incredible nutty chew that transforms ordinary chicken soup into something you would serve at a dinner party
  • Everything simmers in one pot, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor development
02 -
  • The soup continues thickening as it sits, so if you plan to reheat leftovers, add a splash of broth when warming it up
  • Wild rice varies wildly in cooking time, trust the texture test more than the timer
03 -
  • Mix wild rice with brown rice for even more texture and nutty flavor
  • For an extra thick soup, add an additional tablespoon of flour or reduce the broth by half a cup
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