Chicken Vegetable Soup Wild Rice (Printable Version)
A nourishing bowl with tender chicken, veggies, and nutty wild rice in savory broth.
# What You'll Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced (about 14 oz)
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 1 medium onion, chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 medium parsnip, peeled and diced (optional)
07 - 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
→ Grains
08 - 3/4 cup wild rice, rinsed
→ Broth & Seasonings
09 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 2 bay leaves
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
15 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Fresh Herbs & Finishing
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
17 - Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)
# Step-by-Step:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, parsnip (if using), and green beans. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in diced chicken and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned but not fully cooked.
04 - Add wild rice, chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes until wild rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
06 - Remove bay leaves. Stir in fresh parsley and lemon juice if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and serve warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Wild rice gives it a nutty texture that makes every spoonful feel intentional and filling.
- It's forgiving enough for a weeknight but impressive enough to serve when people drop by unexpectedly.
- One pot means less to clean, and somehow it tastes better that way.
02 -
- Wild rice takes longer than regular rice to become tender—don't rush it or you'll bite down on crunchy grains and wonder why it went wrong.
- The soup thickens as it sits because the rice releases starch, so add extra broth when reheating if you want that first-night consistency back.
03 -
- Rinsing wild rice before cooking keeps the broth clear and prevents that cloudy, starchy look that feels unfinished.
- Let your vegetables soften completely in the oil before adding the chicken—this creates a flavor foundation that makes the whole soup sing.