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Cozy Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup - featured image
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A rich, creamy, and comforting homemade version of the popular restaurant soup, featuring tender chicken, earthy wild rice, and a velvety broth that is easier to make than you think.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and diced into small rounds
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup wild rice blend (dry)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Rinse the wild rice blend under cold water. Cook separately according to package instructions (usually 45-60 minutes), then drain and set aside.
  2. In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent.
  3. Add the minced garlic and thyme to the vegetables and cook for 1 more minute to release oils.
  4. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a roux and cook out the raw flour taste.
  5. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring vigorously to prevent lumps. Add the whole chicken breasts to the pot.
  6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  7. Remove the chicken breasts from the pot and shred them using two forks. Discard any skin or fat, then set the shredded chicken aside.
  8. Return the shredded chicken to the pot along with the cooked wild rice. Stir well to combine and simmer on low for 10 minutes.
  9. Stir in the heavy cream. Taste and season with salt and black pepper. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes to heat the cream through, but do not boil.
  10. Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.

Notes

For a lighter version, swap heavy cream for half-and-half. To make it vegetarian, replace chicken with mushrooms and use vegetable broth. If the soup is too thick, add more broth; if too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce. Freeze without cream to prevent separation upon thawing.

Nutrition

Keywords: Panera copycat, chicken and wild rice soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, homemade soup, cozy dinner

Find it online: https://sizzlesprout.com/cozy-copycat-panera-chicken-and-wild-rice-soup-easy-recipe/