Description
Rich, comforting Creamy Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup delivers hearty warmth with delicate herb-infused broth and tender chicken. Hearty ingredients meld together, promising a soul-satisfying meal you’ll savor down to the last spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1.5 cups 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 fresh thyme, chopped
Dairy and Grains:
- 1 cup wild rice or a blend
- 1 cup milk or cream
- 1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Transform the mushrooms in a skillet over medium-high heat, melting butter until they caramelize and release their natural moisture, approximately 10-15 minutes. Remove and reserve for later incorporation.
- Within the same skillet, create a vegetable foundation by sautéing diced onions, carrots, and celery until they soften and develop translucent edges, roughly 8-10 minutes.
- Introduce aromatic elements by adding minced garlic and delicate thyme, allowing their fragrance to permeate the vegetable mixture for about 60 seconds.
- Construct the soup’s liquid base by combining chicken broth, wild rice, pre-cooked chicken pieces, and the previously prepared mushrooms. Elevate to a rolling boil, then reduce temperature and allow gentle simmering under a covered lid until rice reaches optimal tenderness, approximately 20-30 minutes.
- Enrich the soup’s texture by incorporating milk and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheese melts seamlessly into the liquid. Calibrate flavor profile with strategic salt and pepper seasoning to enhance overall taste complexity.
Notes
- Enhance mushroom flavor by using a mix of wild and cultivated varieties like shiitake, cremini, and white button mushrooms for depth and complexity.
- Boost umami by deglazing the pan with white wine after sautéing mushrooms, capturing all the delicious caramelized bits.
- Make it gluten-free by substituting wild rice with quinoa or using gluten-free flour for thickening instead of traditional methods.
- Reduce calories by using low-fat milk and Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream, maintaining the soup’s creamy texture while cutting down on fat content.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg