Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup: Cozy 6-Hour Comfort

Name: Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 6 cups chicken stock; 1 cup wild rice; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 onion, diced; 3 carrots, peeled and diced; 3 celery stalks, diced; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon dried rosemary; 2 bay leaves; 1 pound cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced; ¼ cup unsalted butter; ¼ cup all-purpose flour; 1 cup milk; 1 cup half and half; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

Jump to Recipe

If there’s one recipe that feels like a deep breath at the end of a long day, it’s Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup. This is the kind of meal that quietly simmers while you handle work, kids, errands, or just life in general—then rewards you with a bowl of pure comfort. Warm, creamy, and packed with hearty ingredients, this soup is a total lifesaver on busy weeknights and chilly weekends alike.

I’m Mounia, and recipes like this are exactly why I fell in love with slow cooking. There’s something magical about tossing everything into the crockpot, walking away, and coming back to a kitchen that smells like a cozy hug. If you’re craving comfort without the chaos, you’re in the right place.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Set-it-and-forget-it magic: Your slow cooker does the heavy lifting while you live your life.
Hearty and filling: Tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and plenty of veggies make this a full meal in a bowl.
Creamy without being fussy: The simple roux at the end gives you that luxurious texture without complicated steps.
Perfect for leftovers: This soup reheats like a dream—hello, easy lunches.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients you probably already have on hand:

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Chicken stock
Wild rice
Garlic and onion
Carrots and celery
Dried thyme and rosemary
Bay leaves
Cremini mushrooms
Unsalted butter
All-purpose flour
Milk and half-and-half
Fresh parsley (optional, but lovely)

Nothing fancy. Just honest ingredients coming together to make something truly comforting.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Let’s walk through this step by step—no stress, no rushing.

Step 1: Load the Slow Cooker

Season your chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper and place them right into your 6-quart slow cooker. Add the chicken stock, wild rice, garlic, onion, carrots, celery, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Give it a gentle stir and season again lightly.

Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours. This is where the magic happens.

Step 2: Add the Mushrooms

During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the sliced mushrooms. This keeps them tender instead of mushy (because no one wants sad mushrooms).

Step 3: Shred the Chicken

Remove the chicken breasts and shred them using two forks. They should be fall-apart tender—always a good sign.

Step 4: Make It Creamy

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about a minute until lightly golden. Slowly whisk in the milk and half-and-half, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper.

This little step is what turns your soup from good to restaurant-level cozy.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir in the creamy milk mixture. If the soup feels too thick, just add a splash more half-and-half until it’s exactly how you like it.

Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy—or if you’re trying to impress your family on a Tuesday.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup with tender chicken, wild rice, carrots, celery, and mushrooms in a creamy broth — This Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is rich, creamy, and packed with tender chicken, wild rice, and cozy vegetables.

Cooking Tips from My Kitchen

Wild rice takes time: Don’t rush this one by turning up the heat. Low and slow gives you perfectly tender rice.
Soup too thick? Add extra half-and-half or chicken stock. Too thin? Let it sit uncovered for 10–15 minutes.
Shortcut option: Pre-chopped veggies are totally fair game here. Busy days deserve grace.
Extra flavor boost: A squeeze of lemon right before serving adds brightness without stealing the comfort.

A Little Personal Note

This Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup became a staple in my home during one of those weeks where everything felt overwhelming. You know the kind—too many to-do lists, not enough energy. I needed something warm, filling, and forgiving. This soup showed up for me, and now I hope it does the same for you.

FAQs About Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely. Chicken thighs will make the soup even richer and more tender.

How do I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The soup will thicken as it sits—just add a splash of milk or stock when reheating.

Can I freeze this soup?

Yes, but freeze it before adding the milk mixture if possible. Dairy can separate when frozen, though it’s still safe to eat.

Is this soup gluten-free?

You can make it gluten-free by swapping the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free alternative or cornstarch.

One Last Cozy Thought

There’s something incredibly comforting about knowing dinner is already taken care of. Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup gives you that peace of mind—plus a warm, creamy bowl of comfort waiting at the end of the day. Whether you’re feeding a family, meal-prepping for the week, or just craving something soothing, this soup is always the right answer.

From my kitchen to yours, happy slow cooking

More Cozy Favorites to Try Next

If you’re craving more easy, comforting meals like this one, these cozy favorites fit right into the same slow-cooker-loving rhythm and make planning future dinners feel effortless:

Creamy crockpot chicken gnocchi soup recipe — a rich, velvety soup that delivers the same comforting vibes with pillowy gnocchi in every bite.
Creamy crockpot chicken gnocchi soup recipe
20 crockpot soup recipes perfect for busy weeks — when you want variety without extra effort, this collection is packed with warm, filling soups you can rotate all season long.
20 crockpot soup recipes perfect for busy weeks
Crock pot chicken and rice — simple, hearty, and endlessly comforting, this is a great option when you want something filling with pantry staples.
Crock pot chicken and rice
Slow cooker chicken noodle soup — a timeless classic that pairs perfectly with chilly evenings, cozy weekends, or anytime comfort cravings hit.
Slow cooker chicken noodle soup
Crockpot chicken wild rice soup inspiration from Pinch of Yum — a wonderful take on this classic comfort soup if you enjoy seeing different ingredient twists and techniques.
Crockpot chicken wild rice soup