Print

Cozy Crockpot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup: Easy Budget Meal

crockpot chicken and wild rice soup - featured image
Print Recipe

A creamy, comforting slow cooker soup made with tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and simple vegetables. This budget-friendly dump-and-go meal is perfect for busy weeknights and tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 4–5 thighs)
  • 1 cup wild rice blend (not pure wild rice)
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced (about 1 ½ cups)
  • 3 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 ½ cups)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your vegetables: dice the onion, carrots, and celery into roughly equal-sized pieces. Mince the garlic.
  2. Rinse the wild rice blend in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water for about 30 seconds. Shake off excess water.
  3. Layer ingredients in the slow cooker: place chicken thighs in the bottom. Add diced vegetables, minced garlic, and rinsed rice on top. Pour in chicken broth and water. Add dried thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Do not stir.
  4. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is fork-tender and rice is cooked through but still has a slight chew.
  5. Remove chicken thighs with tongs and let rest for a few minutes. Shred with two forks, discarding any visible fat or gristle.
  6. Remove the bay leaf from the slow cooker and discard.
  7. In a small bowl, whisk together milk and flour until smooth with no lumps.
  8. Pour the slurry into the soup slowly while stirring gently. Turn slow cooker to high (if not already) and cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soup thickens.
  9. Return shredded chicken to the pot and stir gently. Cook for another 5 minutes to warm through.
  10. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
  11. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Don’t lift the lid during cooking to avoid adding extra time. Season carefully as broth sodium levels vary. For a dairy-free version, use unsweetened oat milk or full-fat canned coconut milk and thicken with cornstarch. The soup thickens as it sits; add a splash of milk or broth when reheating. For freezing, cook rice separately and add when reheating to avoid mushy texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot chicken and wild rice soup, slow cooker chicken soup, creamy chicken soup, budget meal, easy dinner, comfort food, wild rice soup

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/cozy-crockpot-chicken-and-wild-rice-soup-easy-budget-meal/