Imagine a creamy, hearty soup that transports you straight to your favorite cozy café, packed with tender shredded chicken, nutty wild rice, and a luxuriously smooth broth that hugs you from the inside out. This copycat Panera Bread Chicken Wild Rice Soup isn't just a recipe—it's a culinary experience that promises to elevate your home cooking and impress even the most discerning soup lovers. Whether you're battling a chilly evening or craving a restaurant-quality meal without leaving your kitchen, this soup is about to become your new comfort food obsession!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup wild rice, cooked
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1/2 cup celery, diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by washing and chopping vegetables. Dice carrots and celery into uniform small pieces to ensure even cooking.
- In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add diced carrots and celery, sautéing until vegetables become soft and slightly translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot with sautéed vegetables. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat.
- Add pre-cooked wild rice to the broth, stirring gently to distribute evenly throughout the liquid.
- Incorporate shredded chicken into the simmering broth, allowing it to warm through completely.
- Reduce heat to low and slowly stir in heavy cream, creating a rich and creamy consistency. Be careful not to let the soup boil after adding cream.
- Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Allow soup to simmer on low heat for an additional 10-15 minutes to let flavors meld together.
- Serve hot in deep bowls, garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or chives if desired.
Tips
- Use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor complexity.
- Toast your wild rice briefly before cooking to enhance its nutty flavor profile.
- Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
- Add cream at the end and avoid boiling to prevent separation and maintain a smooth consistency.
- For extra richness, consider using a blend of chicken broth and some white wine.
- Let the soup simmer slowly to allow flavors to develop and meld together.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives for a pop of color and fresh taste.
- If soup becomes too thick, thin it out with a little extra chicken broth.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently to maintain soup's creamy texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 392kcal
Carbohydrates: 14g
Protein: 24g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Cholesterol: 135mg
