Autumn Wild Rice Soup Recipe
A hearty and comforting Autumn Wild Rice Soup featuring wild rice, tender chicken, cremini mushrooms, and aromatic herbs simmered in a flavorful chicken broth with a splash of white wine and finished with creamy richness and crunchy toasted nuts.
- Author: Logan
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Grains and Broth
- 1 cup wild rice, rinsed
- 8 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Additional Flavorings
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Garnishes
- 1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Rinse Wild Rice: Place the wild rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse it under cold running water for a couple of minutes until the water runs clear to remove any debris and starch.
- Cook Wild Rice: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed wild rice with 4 cups of chicken broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45-50 minutes until the rice is tender and grains split open.
- Drain Excess Liquid: After cooking, drain off any remaining liquid from the wild rice and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery, sautéing for 5-7 minutes until softened and onions become translucent.
- Cook Mushrooms: Add sliced cremini mushrooms to the pot and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until mushrooms soften and release moisture.
- Add Garlic and Herbs: Stir in minced garlic, dried thyme, sage, rosemary, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for about 1 minute while stirring until fragrant.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the dry white wine and scrape the pot bottom to loosen browned bits. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the wine reduces slightly, concentrating flavor.
- Add Broth: Pour in the remaining 4 cups of chicken broth and stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer Soup: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes allowing flavors to meld.
- Incorporate Chicken and Rice: Add shredded cooked chicken and the cooked wild rice to the pot and stir to mix thoroughly.
- Finish with Cream: Stir in the heavy cream, creating a rich and creamy texture.
- Season Soup: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Heat the soup through gently without boiling to preserve creaminess.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley, toasted nuts, and shredded Parmesan cheese if desired for extra flavor and crunch.
Notes
- Using low sodium chicken broth helps control saltiness in the soup.
- Rotisserie chicken is a convenient shortcut for cooked chicken but any cooked shredded chicken works.
- The red pepper flakes are optional for a subtle heat; omit if you prefer a milder soup.
- White wine adds a nice depth of flavor but can be substituted with extra broth for a non-alcoholic version.
- To toast pecans or walnuts, simply heat in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently.
- This soup stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days and the flavors develop even more over time.
Keywords: Autumn soup, wild rice soup, chicken wild rice soup, creamy soup, mushroom soup, comfort food, fall recipes