Creamy Chicken-Wild Rice Soup ๐ฅฃ
Overview:
Creamy Chicken-Wild Rice Soup is a heartwarming dish perfect for cozy nights in or comforting lunches. With a rich and velvety texture, this soup combines tender chicken, earthy wild rice, and a medley of vegetables, all simmered in a creamy broth with a hint of sherry and curry powder. Whether you’re looking to impress your significant other or simply craving a satisfying meal, this recipe is sure to become a household favorite.
- Preparation Time: 25 minutes
- Cooking Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Servings: Varies
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced carrot
- 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked and shredded
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup sherry wine
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds (optional)
Instructions:
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Prepare the Vegetables: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, and carrot, and sautรฉ for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables start to soften.
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Add Mushrooms: Incorporate the sliced mushrooms into the saucepan and continue to sautรฉ for an additional 5 minutes, allowing them to release their moisture and develop flavor.
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Incorporate Flour: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir well to combine, ensuring that the flour evenly coats the vegetables.
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Introduce Chicken Stock: Gradually pour in the chicken stock, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. You can use a whisk if needed to blend the flour mixture with the stock seamlessly.
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Bring to Simmer: Increase the heat slightly and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, allowing the flavors to meld together.
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Add Rice and Chicken: Stir in the uncooked wild rice, shredded chicken, salt, curry powder, dried parsley, black pepper, and sherry wine. Let the soup simmer gently, allowing the rice to absorb the flavors and soften.
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Incorporate Half-and-Half: Once the rice is tender and the soup has thickened slightly, pour in the half-and-half, stirring gently to combine.
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Optional Crunch: If desired, add the sliced almonds to the soup for an extra layer of texture and flavor.
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Simmer to Perfection: Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 1 to 2 hours over low heat, taking care not to let it come to a boil. This slow simmer allows the flavors to develop fully and creates a rich, creamy consistency.
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Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the creamy chicken-wild rice soup into bowls and serve hot, garnishing with additional parsley or sliced almonds if desired. Enjoy this comforting dish with crusty bread or a simple green salad for a satisfying meal.
Notes:
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Thickening Over Time: This soup will naturally thicken as it sits, especially if refrigerated overnight. Simply thin it out with additional chicken stock when reheating, without compromising on flavor.
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Crockpot Option: To make this soup in a crockpot, simply follow steps 1 through 4 to prepare the vegetables and flour mixture on the stovetop. Then transfer everything to a slow cooker, adding the remaining ingredients except for the half-and-half. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir in the half-and-half during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
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Adjusting Seasonings: Feel free to adjust the salt, pepper, curry powder, and sherry to suit your taste preferences. This recipe is versatile and can be customized to your liking.
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Leftover Chicken: This soup is a fantastic way to utilize leftover chicken or turkey, adding both flavor and protein to the dish.
Indulge in the comforting flavors of this Creamy Chicken-Wild Rice Soup, a delightful blend of creamy textures and savory goodness that’s sure to warm your soul with every spoonful.
