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Cozy Copycat Panera Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe

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This creamy, hearty, soul-warming bowl of chicken and wild rice soup is a perfect comfort food for cold days. Made with simple ingredients and ready in about 45 minutes, it’s better than the original.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste (start with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper)
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
  • 1 cup wild rice blend, uncooked

Instructions

  1. Cook the wild rice blend first. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup wild rice blend with 2 cups water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 40-45 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the grains have started to split. Drain any excess water and set aside.
  2. While the rice cooks, melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and the onions are translucent.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Then sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
  4. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Add the water, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the heavy cream and the cooked wild rice blend. Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes.
  6. Stir in the cooked chicken and let it heat through for about 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  7. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

The soup will thicken as it sits, so if reheating leftovers, add a splash of broth or water to thin it out. Use room-temperature cream to prevent curdling. Cook the rice separately for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken wild rice soup, copycat Panera, creamy chicken soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/cozy-copycat-panera-chicken-wild-rice-soup-recipe/