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Cozy One-Pot Crockpot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

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A warm, rich, and comforting slow-cooked soup featuring chicken thighs, wild rice, and mushrooms, perfect for cold days and easy to prepare in a crockpot.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup wild rice (185g), rinsed
  • 1/2 cup dried mushrooms (about 10g), soaked in warm water for 20 minutes and chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth (1.4 liters)
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Optional: 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut milk (120ml)

Instructions

  1. Soak dried mushrooms in 1 cup (240ml) warm water for 20 minutes. Chop mushrooms and strain soaking liquid through a fine sieve.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery for about 5 minutes until softened.
  3. Add minced garlic and chopped mushrooms; cook for 2 more minutes until fragrant.
  4. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Push veggies aside and sear chicken skin-side down for 3-4 minutes, then flip and cook 2 more minutes.
  5. Transfer chicken and vegetables to crockpot. Add wild rice, strained mushroom soaking liquid, and chicken broth (about 5 cups plus mushroom liquid).
  6. Add fresh thyme and bay leaf. Add extra pinch of salt and pepper.
  7. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender and rice is cooked but chewy.
  8. About 15 minutes before serving, remove chicken thighs, shred meat discarding bones, and return shredded chicken to crockpot.
  9. Stir in heavy cream or coconut milk if using. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaf.
  10. Serve hot, optionally with crusty bread or a simple salad.

Notes

Sautéing vegetables and chicken before slow cooking adds depth of flavor. Soaking dried mushrooms is essential for rich umami taste. Use bone-in chicken thighs for juiciness and broth body. Adjust seasoning at the end as slow cooking mellows flavors. If soup thickens too much after sitting, stir in broth or water before reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken soup, wild rice soup, crockpot recipe, slow cooker soup, comfort food, easy soup, mushroom soup, gluten-free soup, dairy-free option

Find it online: https://sizzlesprout.com/cozy-one-pot-crockpot-chicken-and-wild-rice-soup-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-cold-days/