Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup

If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a busy mom, it’s that nothing soothes a frazzled soul quite like a steaming bowl of Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup. There’s just something magical about tossing simple ingredients into the slow cooker and letting it do the heavy lifting. By dinnertime, your kitchen smells like a cozy hug from grandma—and that, my friend, is priceless.

Whether you’re wrangling kids, battling a mountain of work emails, or just craving a little comfort without the chaos, this Creamy Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup is your new best friend. It’s hearty, velvety, and the perfect antidote to chilly evenings or stressful days.

So let’s get you a pot of comfort on the table, shall we?

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup

  • Set-it-and-forget-it ease: Let your slow cooker work its magic while you live your life.
  • Creamy without being heavy: Thanks to half-and-half and whole milk instead of cups of heavy cream.
  • Family-approved: Even picky eaters can’t resist the tender chicken, savory broth, and nutty wild rice.
  • Meal prep dream: Leftovers reheat beautifully for easy lunches all week.
  • Naturally gluten-friendly: Swap flour for your favorite gluten-free alternative.

This Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup is like wearing your coziest sweater—but in soup form.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you’ll need:

  • 1 ½ lb chicken breasts
  • 4 carrots, sliced
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 8-10 cups chicken broth (I use low sodium)
  • 1 cup wild rice (not a boxed mix like Rice-A-Roni!)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp parsley
  • ¼ cup flour (gluten-free works great)
  • ½ cup half and half
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ½ tsp cracked black pepper

Bonus: Don’t forget a crusty loaf of bread for dunking and some fresh parsley for a pop of color!

How to Make Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Step 1: Prep your veggies.
Dice the onion, slice the carrots, chop the celery, and mince the garlic. Pretend you’re on your own cooking show—no judgment here!

Step 2: Layer the slow cooker.
Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of your crockpot. Sprinkle over the garlic, Italian seasoning, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Pile on your onions, carrots, and celery.

Step 3: Add liquids and rice.
Pour in 8 cups of chicken broth (save the extra 2 cups to adjust thickness later) and toss in the uncooked wild rice and bay leaf. Stir gently.

Step 4: Slow cook the magic.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or until the rice is tender and the chicken hits an internal temp of 165°F.

Step 5: Shred and return the chicken.
Once the chicken is cooked, take it out, shred it with two forks (or your stand mixer paddle—life hack!), and return it to the pot.

Step 6: Make it creamy.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, half-and-half, and whole milk until smooth. Slowly pour this mixture into the soup, stirring constantly. Let it cook for another 10-15 minutes on LOW until thickened and creamy. If the soup’s too thick, add more broth until it’s just how you like it.

Step 7: Serve and enjoy.
Ladle into bowls, sprinkle on fresh parsley, and serve with that crusty bread. Prepare for “Mmm” sounds around the table.

Mounia’s Cooking Tips

  • No boxed rice mixes! Wild rice has a unique, nutty flavor that makes this soup special. Boxed mixes often have seasonings that’ll throw off your flavors.
  • Add mushrooms: If you’re a mushroom lover, toss in a handful for earthy goodness.
  • Thick or thin? This soup thickens as it cools. Stir in extra broth the next day if needed.
  • Speed it up: Short on time? Cut the chicken into chunks before cooking to reduce the cook time by an hour or so.

Fun fact: This recipe saved my sanity one week when my kids had back-to-back sports practices, and I felt like an unpaid Uber driver. Dinner practically made itself, and my house smelled incredible. Win-win!

Ladle of Creamy Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup with chunks of chicken, carrots, celery, and wild rice in a creamy broth.
Scoop up pure comfort with this ladle of Creamy Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup, brimming with tender chicken and hearty wild rice.

FAQs About Creamy Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs stay super tender and add extra flavor to the broth.

How do I store leftovers?

Cool your soup and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently, adding broth if it thickens too much.

Can I freeze this soup?

Yes—but wait to add the dairy until after thawing and reheating. Otherwise, it might separate and look a bit sad (still tasty though!).

Is this soup gluten-free?

Totally doable. Just swap the flour for a gluten-free blend or cornstarch.

Let’s Cozy Up with Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup

There’s nothing better than a simmering pot of Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup filling your home with savory aromas while you tackle your to-do list—or just kick back with a good book. This creamy, comforting soup is proof that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to create something special.

So grab your slow cooker, toss in those wholesome ingredients, and let this soup wrap you in a warm, delicious hug. You—and your taste buds—deserve it!

Let me know how it turns out for you.

More Cozy Slow Cooker Recipes to Try

If you’re as smitten with slow cooker magic as I am, you’ll love exploring more comforting dishes that keep dinner stress-free. Here are some delicious ideas to keep your crockpot working overtime:

  • Craving another hearty bowl of comfort? Don’t miss my Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup—it’s a timeless classic that’s perfect for soothing sniffles or simply warming your soul.
  • For a creamy, dreamy chicken dinner, check out this Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie that’s loaded with tender chicken and veggies under a golden crust.
  • Want something sweet and savory with a tropical twist? My Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is an absolute crowd-pleaser with juicy pineapple and savory sauce.
  • And if you’re ever unsure about cooking chicken straight from the freezer, be sure to read my How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breast in a Slow Cooker for safe and tasty results every time.

Let your crockpot keep working its magic—happy cooking!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Creamy Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup in a white bowl with carrots, celery, and wild rice, garnished with fresh parsley.

Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup


  • Author: Mounia
  • Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

Creamy Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup is the ultimate cozy comfort food! Tender chicken, hearty wild rice, and veggies simmer all day in a savory, creamy broth for a delicious, hands-off meal perfect for busy nights.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ lb chicken breasts

  • 4 carrots, sliced

  • 3 celery stalks, chopped

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 810 cups chicken broth (low sodium)

  • 1 cup wild rice (not boxed mix)

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning

  • 1 tsp thyme

  • 1 tsp parsley

  • ¼ cup flour (gluten-free works too)

  • ½ cup half and half

  • ½ cup whole milk

  • ½ tsp sea salt

  • ½ tsp cracked black pepper

Optional for serving:

  • Fresh parsley

  • Crusty bread


Instructions

  1. Dice the onion, slice the carrots, chop the celery, and mince the garlic.

  2. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.

  3. Sprinkle with garlic, Italian seasoning, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper.

  4. Add the onion, carrots, and celery on top.

  5. Pour in 8 cups of chicken broth, add the wild rice and bay leaf, and stir gently.

  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or until the rice is tender and chicken reaches 165°F.

  7. Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the soup.

  8. In a bowl, whisk together flour, half and half, and whole milk until smooth.

  9. Slowly stir the mixture into the soup and let cook on LOW for 10-15 minutes until creamy.

  10. If soup is too thick, add extra broth until desired consistency is reached.

  11. Serve hot, garnished with parsley and a side of crusty bread!

Notes

Avoid boxed wild rice mixes as they contain seasonings that can alter the soup’s flavor.
Add mushrooms for an earthy twist.
Soup thickens as it cools; thin with extra broth when reheating.
Substitute chicken thighs for extra tenderness if desired.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Serving
  • Calories: 365 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 710 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg