Cozy, creamy, nostalgic, and loaded with flavor. This is the soup that warms your soul.

Jump to:

👉 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
👉 Ingredients
👉 Step-by-Step Instructions
👉 Tips for the Creamiest Soup
👉 Serving Suggestions
👉 Variations
👉 Storage
👉 FAQ
👉 Equipment

The Best Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup | A Bowl of Pure Comfort

There are some recipes that just wrap you up like a warm hug, and this Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup is exactly that kind of meal. It’s thick, cozy, ultra comforting, and filled with all the flavors of fall and winter. Every spoonful is creamy, savory, herb-packed, and so soothing. It is the kind of soup you curl up with on the couch after a long day with the kids, holiday bustle, or cold weather.

For me, this recipe is deeply nostalgic. When I was younger, my mom and I used to go to South Coast Plaza, and I would always get their wild rice soup at the little cafe. It was our comforting little ritual the warmth, the creaminess, the thyme, the soft vegetables, the tender chicken… everything about it felt like home. We would always share a bowl after some shopping. So this recipe is truly a love letter to that memory. Mom, I love you so much!

A bowl of creamy chicken and wild rice soup with carrots, celery, and tender shredded chicken in a thick, cozy broth.

But because this is Kay’s Clean Eats, we had to make it even better, richer, creamier, more flavorful, and elevated with deluxe upgrades that bring restaurant-quality depth right into your kitchen without the crazy calories. I was swimmer all the way through college so eating anything and everything was a necessity!

After testing this recipe a few times, adjusting seasonings, and giving it that signature Kay flare, I landed on the perfect version. It’s dreamy, creamy, and nostalgic. And it will absolutely become one of your family’s favorite soups.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

If you’re a soup lover or a cozy-food girlie, this recipe is going straight into your weekly rotation. Here’s why:

⭐️ Ultra Creamy

We use half-and-half instead of milk, giving the soup incredible richness without needing heavy cream.

⭐️ Deluxe Flavor

Extra garlic powder + fresh thyme — take this from simple to WOW.

⭐️ Hearty & Filling

The wild rice, veggies, and chicken make this a full, satisfying meal.

⭐️ Comforting & Nostalgic

It’s the kind of soup that warms the soul and makes you think of cozy memories with loved ones.

⭐️ Family-Friendly

Even picky eaters love it. Serve with warm bread or crackers and watch it disappear.

⭐️ Meal Prep Dream

The flavors get even better the next day. Perfect for school lunches, busy mom weeks, and chilly evenings.

Ingredients for the Best Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

This recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients, but the combination creates layers of flavor that taste slow-simmered and made-from-scratch cozy.

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup wild rice blend
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tsp chicken bouillon
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 1 Tbsp flour
  • 1 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
  • Salt & pepper, to taste

If you want to make this dairy-free, gluten-free, or vegetarian, I list variations at the bottom!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the veggies

Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5–7 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.

Step 2: Add the seasoning, rice, and broth

Pour in bouillon, garlic powder, thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 40 minutes, or until the rice is tender. Check package for exact time.

Step 3: Make a flour slurry

Whisk 1 Tbsp flour with 2–3 Tbsp cold half-and-half (or water) until completely smooth.
Pour into the soup while stirring.

Step 4: Add shredded chicken

Stir in your cooked chicken. Rotisserie works beautifully.

Step 5: Make it creamy

Stir in the remaining half-and-half and let the soup simmer another 10 minutes, until creamy and slightly thickened.

Step 6: Taste and finish

Stir in the fresh thyme. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm and enjoy!

What Makes This Version “Deluxe”?

I always test my recipes a few times taste, adjust, taste again. The first version of this soup was good… but I wanted GREAT. I wanted that nostalgic taste from my childhood mall days, but elevated.

Here’s what took it to the next level:

✨ 1 tsp garlic powder

Adds depth and warmth that blends into the broth beautifully.

✨ 1 Tbsp fresh thyme

Fresh thyme changes everything. It’s bright, woodsy, and instantly takes the soup to restaurant level.

✨ Using half-and-half instead of milk

A richer, creamier soup that thickens like a dream.

These tiny upgrades truly transform the recipe. This is now one of the coziest, most flavorful soups I’ve ever made.

Tips for the Creamiest, Most Flavorful Soul

  • Use wild rice blend if you want a pop of color and texture.
  • Don’t rush the simmering — wild rice needs time to open up and release its nutty flavor.
  • Use rotisserie chicken for quickest prep and best texture.
  • Adjust thickness by adding more broth or more slurry depending on your vibe.
  • Finish with a splash more half-and-half if you want extra creaminess before serving.
Sunlit bowl of creamy chicken and wild rice soup with bread on the side, warm and cozy meal setting.

Serving Suggestions

This soup pairs beautifully with:

  • Crusty sourdough
  • Garlic bread
  • Simple side salad
  • Buttered crackers
  • Grilled cheese (my kids’ favorite)

It’s also amazing with a squeeze of lemon for brightness or a sprinkle of parmesan on top.

Variations

Make it dairy-free

Swap half-and-half for canned coconut milk. Skip the slurry or thicken with a cornstarch slurry instead.

Make it gluten-free

Use cornstarch instead of flour for your slurry.

Make it vegetarian

Use vegetable broth and add mushrooms or white beans instead of chicken.

Add extra veggies

Spinach, kale, peas, or mushrooms work beautifully.

Storage & Meal Prep

This soup stores and reheats incredibly well.

  • Refrigerator: Up to 4 days
  • Freezer: Up to 2 months (freeze before adding half-and-half for best texture)
  • Reheat: Add a splash of broth or half-and-half to loosen it up; rice naturally thickens as it sits

Equipment

Below are some of my favorite tools I use in my kitchen every day. These are Amazon affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kay’s Clean Eats!

My Go-To Soup Pot

A heavy-bottomed 6–8 quart Dutch oven or soup pot is perfect for this recipe. It heats evenly and gives the best simmer for wild rice.

Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spoon

Great for stirring without scratching your pot.

Measuring Spoons & Cups

Reliable, accurate measuring tools make all the difference in soups with delicate herbs like thyme.

Sharp Chef’s Knife

To easily dice onions, carrots, and celery.

Cutting Board

I love using large wooden for chopping all the veggies.

Soup Ladle

Makes serving so much easier (and cleaner).

✨ Related Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re craving more cozy, flavorful meals, try these reader favorites from the blog:

• Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup

A rich, comforting, family-approved soup that comes together fast.

• Black Beans & Rice

Simple, flavorful, and perfect for easy weeknight dinners.

• Spinach & Cheese Pinwheels

Crispy, cheesy, and totally irresistible: the ultimate snack or appetizer.

• Maple Roasted Carrots

Sweet, savory, caramelized perfection: a viral-worthy side dish.

• Crispy Chicken Parmesan

A top-tier quick dinner with insane flavor and perfect crunch.

• Fall Harvest Bowls

Loaded with roasted veggies, quinoa, and cozy flavors.

• Creamy Sausage & Cheese Tortellini Soup

Another ultra-cozy, creamy soup that’s a family favorite.

Final Thoughts : A Nostalgic, Cozy Bowl of Pure Comfort

This Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup means more to me than just a cozy recipe. It brings me straight back to those days at South Coast Plaza with my mom, where we’d sit and enjoy warm bowls of wild rice soup and just be together. There’s something so soothing, grounding, and comforting about this flavor profile, it really feels like home in a bowl.

Cozy creamy chicken and wild rice soup in a rustic bowl with veggies, herbs, and a creamy broth — the perfect comfort meal.

And now, this updated deluxe version has that same nostalgic flavor with the depth, richness, and creaminess I love as an adult and a mom of four. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll make again and again all season long. It’s soul-warming, memory-evoking, and purely delicious.

I hope this soup brings warmth, comfort, and a little nostalgia to your kitchen the same way it does to mine. 💛

A bowl of creamy chicken and wild rice soup with carrots, celery, and tender shredded chicken in a thick, cozy broth.

Get the Recipe:
Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Yield: 6 bowls
A cozy, creamy, ultra-flavorful chicken and wild rice soup inspired by nostalgic mall food court memories. This upgraded deluxe version is rich, hearty, and warming to the soul. The perfect comforting weeknight dinner.
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup wild rice blend
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tsp chicken bouillon
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 1 Tbsp flour
  • 1 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
  • Salt & pepper, to taste

Equipment

Instructions
 

Step 1: Sauté the veggies

  • Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5–7 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.

Step 2: Add the seasoning, rice and broth

  • Pour in bouillon, garlic powder, & dried thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 40 minutes, or until the rice is tender. Check package for exact time.

Step 3: Make a flour slurry

  • Whisk 1 Tbsp flour with 2–3 Tbsp cold half-and-half (or water) until completely smooth.
  • Pour into the soup while stirring.

Step 4: Add shredded chicken

  • Stir in your cooked chicken. Rotisserie works beautifully.

Step 5: Make it creamy

  • Stir in the remaining half-and-half and let the soup simmer another 10 minutes, until creamy and slightly thickened.

Step 6: Taste and finish

  • Stir in the fresh thyme. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Use rotisserie chicken for the quickest and most flavorful option. It shreds easily and blends right into the soup.
Wild rice takes longer to cook than white rice, so don’t rush the simmer. This helps develop the soup’s rich, nutty flavor.
Half-and-half gives the soup its creamy texture. For a lighter version, use milk. For an ultra-rich version, use heavy cream.
Mix the flour with cold liquid to make a smooth slurry. This prevents lumps and creates a silky finish.
Adjust the soup thickness to your liking by adding more broth to thin it or extra slurry to thicken it.
Fresh thyme adds bright, herbaceous flavor. Add some while simmering and the rest at the end for the best balance.
The soup will naturally thicken as it sits, especially after refrigeration. Add a splash of broth or half-and-half when reheating.
To make the soup dairy-free, use canned coconut milk and thicken with cornstarch instead of flour.
For a gluten-free version, use cornstarch instead of flour for the slurry.
Author: Kaylen Carrera
Course: easy weeknight dinner, Soup
Cuisine: American, American Comfort Food
Serving: 6hearty bowls, Calories: 315kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 64mg, Sodium: 540mg, Potassium: 2280mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Iron: 10mg
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating and review below!

FAQ: Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

Can I use rotisserie chicken in this recipe?

Yes! Rotisserie chicken works perfectly and actually adds extra flavor. Just shred it and stir it in during the last 10–15 minutes of simmering.

Can I substitute the half-and-half?

Absolutely. For a lighter version, use milk. For an ultra-rich version, use heavy cream. For dairy-free, use canned coconut milk.

Can I use a pure wild rice instead of wild rice blend?

Yes. A wild rice cooks beautifully and adds extra texture and color. Just keep an eye on cooking time since some wild rice need longer to cook.

How do I thicken the soup without flour?

Use a cornstarch slurry instead: mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir it into the soup. It thickens in minutes.

Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Yes! this soup is excellent for meal prep. The flavors deepen as it sits. Just add a splash of broth or half-and-half when reheating, as the rice will naturally thicken the soup.

Can I freeze chicken and wild rice soup?

Yes, but freeze it before adding the half-and-half for best texture. When reheating, add the half-and-half fres

What if my soup gets too thick?

Add more broth or a splash of half-and-half until you reach your desired consistency. The rice continues to absorb liquid as it sits.

Can I add extra veggies?

Definitely. Spinach, peas, mushrooms, or kale are delicious additions.

How can I make the soup more flavorful?

Your best boosts:
– Extra garlic powder
– More fresh thyme
– A splash of lemon
– A parmesan rind while simmering
– A little extra bouillon

What should I serve with this soup?

Sourdough bread, garlic bread, buttered crackers, or a simple salad all pair beautifully. Kids love it with grilled cheese!