Description
Comforting creamy mushroom chicken wild rice soup brings Wisconsin wilderness warmth to your kitchen. Rich layers of hearty ingredients blend perfectly, delivering a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Poultry:
- 1.5 cups (12 ounces) cooked chicken (diced or shredded)
- 6 cups chicken broth
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 pound mushrooms (sliced)
- 1 onion (diced)
- 2 carrots (diced)
- 2 stalks celery (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon thyme (chopped)
Dairy, Rice, and Seasonings:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup wild rice (or a blend with wild rice)
- 1 cup milk or cream
- 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan, grated)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté mushrooms in melted butter over medium-high heat until liquid evaporates and they develop a rich, golden color, approximately 10-15 minutes. Transfer to a separate dish.
- In the same pan, melt additional butter and sauté onions, carrots, and celery until vegetables soften and become translucent, around 8-10 minutes. Incorporate minced garlic and thyme, cooking briefly until aromatic.
- Pour chicken broth into the vegetable mixture, then add cooked wild rice, shredded chicken, and previously prepared mushrooms. Increase heat to bring contents to a rolling boil, then reduce temperature, cover, and allow to simmer gently for 20-30 minutes until rice reaches desired tenderness.
- Gradually blend milk or cream into the soup, stirring continuously. Incorporate grated Parmigiano Reggiano until cheese dissolves completely, creating a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Enhance flavor profile by optional techniques: steep dried mushrooms in hot water for 20 minutes, then add mushrooms and their concentrated liquid to the soup. Alternatively, whisk white miso paste into the mixture for additional depth and complexity.
- Season with salt and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences. Serve hot, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Select mushrooms with firm, smooth caps and avoid those with soft or slimy surfaces for the best texture and flavor in your soup.
- Enhance depth by using a mix of mushroom varieties like shiitake, cremini, and oyster mushrooms instead of just one type.
- Control sodium levels by using low-sodium chicken broth and adjusting salt gradually while tasting the soup during cooking.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting wild rice with quinoa or using certified gluten-free wild rice blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 281 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 510 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg