Mel's Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Submitted by HokiesMom

"I could not find exactly what I was looking for so I created this recipe from combining a couple of others. My family loves this served with a really crusty bread. Updated Jan 2013 - I am still tweaking and think I have the perfect soup now. I've made all the adjustments below in the recipe. For reheating the soup you may need to add a couple of tablespoons of milk or half & half to the soup and stir before heating to help with the thickness."

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Yields: 10 cups
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1⁄2 cup onion, diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 cup carrot, sliced thinly
• 1⁄4 cup celery, diced
• 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 3 cups cooked chicken, roughly chopped (this is about 3 chicken breasts cooked)
• 1 (4 1/4 ounce) package long grain and wild rice blend, with seasoning packet
• 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup half-and-half, low-fat
• 1 cup 1% low-fat milk

directions

1. In a large soup pot over medium heat, saute the onions and garlic in the olive oil for 2-3 minutes. Add the carrots and celery and continue sauteeing for another 3-4 minutes or until veggies are softened.
2. Add broth and chicken to the pot and increase heat to bring the mixture just to boiling then stir in rice but NOT the seasoning packet - keep that aside. Cover and reduce heat to low and continue to cook and stir occasionally.
3. In a measure cup, combine pepper and flour.
4. In a medium sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the contents of the seasoning packet until mixture is bubbly. Reduce heat to low, then stir in flour mixture to form a roux. Whisk constantly.
5. Whisk in the half and half and the milk a little at a time until fully incorporated and smooth and continue cooking and whisking for 5 minutes until mixture is thickened.
6. Stir cream mixture into broth and rice. Cover and cook over a medium low heat until heated through and broth is thickened, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Makes approximately 10 cups of soup. Depending on the size bowl and serving you can easily feed 4-6 people.

Reviews

[Chef PotPie]

I was having a humdrum day today, DH went to Costco for stuff, and he got some rotisserie chickens. In the process of picking them, I remembered this recipe. So I used some of the chicken and made this delicious soup! It was a YUMMY SUCCESS! This soup is easy, doable with things most of us have, and creamy and delicious. I served it with simple French rolls. We left the dinner table very happy and comforted, indeed! Thank you for this keeper recipe!