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A steaming bowl of slow cooker chicken and wild rice soup with fresh parsley.

Classic Comfort Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Warm up with a bowl of this comforting slow cooker chicken and wild rice soup, packed with tender chicken, wholesome wild rice, and hearty vegetables. This easy recipe is perfect for a cozy meal with minimal effort.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Slow cooker
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Whisk
  • Small bowl
  • Ladle

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 cup wild rice blend rinsed
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 carrots peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 8 cups chicken broth low sodium preferred
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 0.5 tsp dried rosemary
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream or half-and-half for creaminess
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour or cornstarch if thickening is desired
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Dice the onion, carrots, and celery, then cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces or leave whole. Rinse the wild rice under cold water until clear.
  • Place the chicken, wild rice, chopped onion, carrots, and celery into your slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth and sprinkle with thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper, then stir to combine.

Cooking

  • Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked and rice is tender.
  • If using whole chicken, remove, shred with two forks, and return to the soup.

Thickening and Serving

  • Whisk heavy cream or half-and-half with flour or cornstarch until smooth, then stir this mixture into the soup.
  • Cook on HIGH for an additional 15-30 minutes until the soup thickens to your desired consistency. Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

For a richer flavor, you can sauté the diced vegetables in a little olive oil before adding them to the slow cooker. Adjust seasoning to taste after the soup has cooked for a while, as salt levels can concentrate. If you prefer a dairy-free version, you can omit the heavy cream or use a dairy-free milk alternative thickened with a bit of cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with cold water).