Ingredients
Rice and Vegetables
- 3/4 cup uncooked wild rice blend
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 small onion)
- 1 cup diced carrots (2 medium carrots)
- 1 cup diced celery (3 ribs celery)
Soup Base and Seasonings
- 7 Tbsp butter, diced and divided
- 1 large garlic clove, minced (1 1/2 tsp)
- 4 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp dried marjoram
- 1/4 tsp dried sage
- 1/4 tsp dried rosemary
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Chicken and Thickening
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast halves
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions
- Prepare the wild rice: Cook the wild rice blend according to package instructions. Start cooking the rice first, as other ingredients will be prepared while the rice cooks.
- Sauté the vegetables: Halfway through the rice cooking time, melt 1 Tbsp butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery, sautéing for 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and sauté another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Simmer with broth and herbs: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth along with dried thyme, marjoram, sage, and rosemary. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Increase heat to medium-high and add the chicken breasts. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Cook the chicken: Cover the pot and reduce heat to medium-low. Let the soup simmer for 12 to 16 minutes, turning the chicken once during cooking to ensure even cooking, especially if breasts are thick and not fully submerged.
- Shred the chicken: Remove the chicken from the pot and place on a cutting board. Let it cool for 5 minutes, then shred into bite-sized pieces. Keep the soup covered and warm on the stove.
- Make the roux-based cream mixture: In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 6 Tbsp butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1 1/2 minutes to form a roux.
- Thicken with milk and cream: While whisking vigorously, slowly add the milk to the roux mixture. Then whisk in the heavy cream. Continue stirring and cooking until the mixture thickens smoothly.
- Combine all ingredients: Pour the thickened milk mixture into the soup pot. Add the shredded chicken, cooked wild rice, and lemon zest. Stir everything together thoroughly and remove from heat.
- Serve: Allow the soup to cool slightly before serving warm for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Using low-sodium chicken broth allows better control over the saltiness of the soup.
- Fresh herbs can be used instead of dried, using about 1 tsp minced of each herb.
- For a thicker soup, you can add a little more flour during the roux step or reduce broth slightly.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stove.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk and cream with coconut milk or a plant-based alternative, adjusting thickness accordingly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American