Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe is simple, hearty and delicious! Loaded with vegetables and chicken, it's a great soup that is savory and flavorful! Wild Rice Chicken Soup is a classic meal that is easy to make and everyone loves!
Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe
I’m all about transforming leftovers! Using leftover rotisserie chicken or turkey in Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup – so delicious! Or 20 Minute Chicken Noodle Soup, yum!
Leftover ham is turned into Deviled Ham or Navy Bean Soup with Ham – I’m a firm believer in not wasting food and repurposing a great meal!
When I lived in the Midwest, I developed a love for wild rice. I've brought that little bit of heaven right back here to California and certainly enjoy serving it with easy meals and in hearty soups and stews.
Soup is definitely my jam, what can I say!
The first time I made soup using wild rice, it was a creamy soup. I added the wild rice (straight from the package) and boy that soup was dark. When I added in cream, the soup promptly turned purple. Eek! It tasted good, but unless I was serving it on Halloween... it definitely wasn't a recipe to share!
Lesson learned? Rinse the rice! Rinse it really well and learn from my mistakes! 🤣
In this recipe, I'm using a wild rice blend so you won't have those issues!
BEST Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Grocery List for Wild Rice and Leftover Turkey Soup
- chicken or turkey - leftover rotisserie chicken or cooked turkey are perfect!
- wild rice blend - in case you can't find it at your local supermarket, I put a link down below.
- carrots, celery, onion - great veggies make for a delicious soup!
- chicken stock - you can use water, but the stock gives it all day cooked flavor.
- Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder - great spices to season it perfectly.
- parsley and lemon - I always say these are optional, but in my book it's a must. I always keep them in the fridge and adding just a tablespoon of parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon makes all the difference in the world!
Tips and substitutes for soup recipe
- No wild rice? Use white or brown rice. Jasmine and basmati rice would also be delicious! Just adjust the cooking time.
- Don’t have carrots or celery? You can use leftover veggies from a vegetable tray.
- No leftover rotisserie chicken? Turkey will work too!
- No chicken stock? Use the drippings from chicken or even chicken gravy. If you’re using gravy you’ll just need to thin it out with water.
Really this is the perfect meal to use up holiday leftovers!
What spices do you use in chicken soup?
In this recipe, I use Italian seasoning, garlic powder and salt and pepper. Optional spices include red pepper flakes or chili powder – just a pinch of either will give it a little zip! A squeeze of lemon at the end and a handful of minced parsley will brighten the flavors of this easy meal.
What to serve with this soup?
Wild Rice Chicken Soup Recipe - serve with homemade rolls! A nice Garden Salad would also be delicious!
Easy Chicken Wild Rice Soup
How do you make chicken wild rice soup from scratch?
- Dice the vegetables and chicken.
- Heat a large stockpot on medium heat, add the butter and olive oil and all of the vegetables. Sauté for 5 minutes.
- To the stockpot, add the wild rice and seasoning, mix to combine.
- Add the chicken stock and water, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover.
- Cook according to package directions for the rice.
- Finish with a squeeze of lemon and minced parsley.
Love a great bowl of soup? Here are more soups and stew recipes to try!
Click here for Homemade Soup: A Complete Guide – everything you want to learn about making the BEST soups and stews!
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Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe
Wild Rice Chicken Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken cooked and diced
- 1 cup wild rice blend
- 2 carrots peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- ½ onion peeled and diced
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon pepper
- pinch red pepper flakes optional, but this will give it a great zing!
- 1 tablespoon parsley minced
- ½ lemon fresh lemon, squeezed
Instructions
- Dice the vegetables and chicken - white meat or dark meat, use your favorite!
- Heat a large stock pot on medium heat, add the butter and olive oil. When hot and bubbly add all of the vegetables and sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add the wild rice and seasoning, mix to combine and saute for a minute or two.
- Next, add the chicken stock and water, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce to low and cover.
- Cook according to package directions for the rice - usually about 45 minutes
- Optional - Finish with a squeeze of lemon and minced parsley to brighten the flavors of this easy soup!
Notes
Tips and substitutes for soup recipe
- No wild rice? Use white or brown rice. Jasmine and basmati rice would also be delicious! Just adjust the cooking time according to package directions.
- Don’t have carrots or celery? You can use leftover veggies from a vegetable tray.
- No leftover rotisserie chicken? Turkey is a great substitute. You can even use ham.Â
- No chicken stock? Use the drippings from chicken or even chicken gravy. If you’re using gravy you’ll just need to thin it out with water.
Julie Menghini says
I can eat soup every day, especially when they're packed full of delicious ingredients. My freezer is always full of chicken and I'll be pulling some of it out this weekend to make a big pot of this one.
Jennifer A Stewart says
This is something I want to eat every night because it just screams comfort to me! It definitely heals my soul!
Sandra Shaffer says
So simple and delicious! We can't get enough homemade soup lately. This one is going on our menu rotaiton!
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful Sandra I know you'll really enjoy this meal!
Healing Tomato says
I am always looking for wild rice recipes. This soup looks beyond delicious.
Bowl Me Over says
I just love wild rice, definitely need more ways to enjoy it!
Brandi Burgess says
I love anything with wild rice! This soup looks SO GOOD!
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you so much!!!
Julie Menghini says
I love any soup with chicken in it and I think this combination is my favorite. I'd love a big ole bowl to chase the winter chills away!
Bowl Me Over says
One order coming up Julie, 😀
Michaela Kenkel says
We loved this one! So hearty and delicious!
debi at Life Currents says
This soup looks comforting and yummy. I love wild rice too! Such a nutty good grain!
Stephanie says
This soup is a childhood favorite! So comforting on a sick day!
Bowl Me Over says
A great bowl of soup is such a comforting meal.
michele says
My husband is from MN and we get wild rice that is grown there to bring home each time we are back! I had everything to make this and whipped it up for our dinner last night... so easy and so tasty! This soup did the homegrown wild rice proud!
Liza says
Wild rice and chicken - such a perfect combination! Healthy, hearty - a perfect dinner! Loving it!
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Liza, I hope you give it a try!
michel says
We get home grown wild rice every time we are at our cabin in MN. ...... nothing beats a great soup with it! Saving this to try a new version ! It sounds lovely!
Bowl Me Over says
I am sooo jealous Michele, it's so delicious!
Julie says
Just looking at that soup warms me from the inside out! I love how simple you've made it for me to put on my dinner table!
Bowl Me Over says
Easy and delicious, YES!! I figure life is complicated enough, right? Dinner shouldn't have to be, thank you Julie!