Chicken Vegetable Soup Wild Rice (Printable)
A comforting bowl featuring tender chicken, vegetables, and nutty wild rice in a savory broth.
# What You'll Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced (14 oz)
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 1 medium onion, chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 medium parsnip, peeled and diced (optional)
07 - 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces (5.3 oz)
→ Grains
08 - 3/4 cup wild rice, rinsed (4.2 oz)
→ Broth & Seasonings
09 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth (64 fl oz)
10 - 2 bay leaves
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
15 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Fresh Herbs & Finishing
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
17 - Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, parsnip (if using), and green beans. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables soften.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add diced chicken to the pot and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned but not fully cooked.
04 - Add wild rice, chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
05 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes, until wild rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
06 - Remove bay leaves. Stir in chopped parsley and lemon juice if using. Adjust seasoning to taste. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The wild rice adds a nutty depth that regular rice just cant match, and it holds up beautifully even after sitting in the broth.
- Everything cooks in one pot, so cleanup is easy and the flavors meld together without any extra steps.
- Its flexible enough to handle whatever vegetables you have on hand, and it reheats like a dream.
02 -
- Dont skip rinsing the wild rice or youll end up with a cloudy broth and a slightly gritty texture.
- If the soup thickens too much after sitting, just add a splash more broth when you reheat it and stir well.
03 -
- Dice your chicken small and uniform so it cooks evenly and is easy to scoop up in a spoon.
- If youre short on time, cook the wild rice separately ahead of time and stir it in at the end to cut down the simmer time.