Move over Campbell’s. This Healthy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is perfect for when you want a soup that’s not only healthy but hearty. It’s loaded with lots of veggies and chicken in a savory broth and it’s rich and creamy either with or without dairy.

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It also comes together easily so you can have this bowl of warm comfort on the table anytime: on chilly days or any time of year.

A bowl of chicken and rice soup with a spoon.

This soup is a newer but solid favorite in our home. It’s simple but oh-so flavorful, is made from basic wholesome ingredients, and the seasoning, heartiness, and nutrition keep us coming back for more whenever I make it.

It’s so hearty, just one bowl makes a full meal, but having a side of salad or veggies or some crusty bread (or even this Focaccia Flax Bread) rounds it all out nicely. I guarantee this soup won’t last long in your home as it doesn’t in ours.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hearty and filling with chicken, wild rice, and vegetables.
Creamy without heavy cream or dairy but can be made with dairy as well.
Simple wholesome ingredients.
An easy recipe without a lot of prep.
Garlic and thyme add savory flavor without a long ingredient list.

Ingredients

Cooked chicken: Use cooked, shredded chicken breast. Rotisserie or leftover chicken also works.
Wild rice: Measure 2 cups after cooking, not dry. A wild rice blend will give a different texture.
Vegetables: Onion, celery, and shredded or diced carrots form the soup’s base.
Chicken broth: Use quality store-bought or homemade.
Milk: Can also be made with full-fat coconut milk for a delicious dairy-free option.
Butter: Butter as a nice richness, but it also tastes great using olive oil, coconut oil,or ghee.
Arrowroot: Adds body.
Garlic and thyme

How to Make Healthy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Sauté diced onion in butter or olive oil until softened, about 2–3 minutes.
Add celery and shredded carrots. Cook for another 2–3 minutes.
Add garlic powder and dried thyme. Stir briefly to distribute the seasonings.
Pour in the chicken broth, then add the cooked chicken and wild rice. Simmer gently for about 10–15 minutes.
Stir in the milk or coconut milk until well combined. Whisk the arrowroot with a little water, stir it into the soup, and heat gently for another minute or two until slightly thickened.
Add salt gradually and season with black pepper. Taste and adjust before serving.
Note that the soup will have a lightly creamy broth, not a thick chowder consistency.

Recipe Tips

Use already-cooked rice and chicken. The preparation and cooking times below do not include this time so plan accordingly.
Add salt gradually, especially if using salted packaged broth.
Do not boil hard after adding the arrowroot; prolonged boiling can reduce its thickening effect.
If the soup thickens after refrigeration, add broth or water a little at a time while reheating.
Faster Prep: Cook extra wild rice ahead of time and freeze it in 2-cup portions. This makes throwing together a batch of soup even easier. Cooking the chicken and/or wild rice in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot can speed both up even more.

A scoop of chicken and rice soup from the pot.

Substitutions and Variations

Dairy version: Replace 1 cup milk with 1 cup full-fat coconut milk and use 2 tablespoons olive oil instead of butter. I’ve made this recipe with all dairy but also with butter and some milk and some coconut milk and both versions were delicious
For a richer dairy version, substitute some of the whole milk with heavy cream if desired.
Use white rice or a wild rice blend instead of wild rice.

Storage

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of broth or water if needed. You can freeze it, but the creamy broth may change texture after thawing.

More Healthy Soup Recipes

Healthy Mushroom Soup: Rich in flavor this easy mushroom soup uses simple ingredients but yields superb taste.
Easy Creamy Butternut Squash Pear Soup: Creamy, easy to make, and packed with nutrients, butternut squash and pear soup blends rich nutty flavors with naturally sweet pears and warm seasonings.
Creamy Potato Leek Soup: This frugal, easy-to-make dairy-free potato leek soup is a creamy, comforting bowl.

Ingredients

3 cups cooked chicken breast (shredded)
2 cups cooked wild rice
2 tablespoons butter (or olive oil)
1 cup diced onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup shredded carrots
4 cups plain chicken broth
1 cup milk (or full-fat coconut milk)
2 teaspoons arrowroot powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried thyme
2½ teaspoons sea salt (or to taste. add gradually; less may be needed with salted broth)
1½ teaspoons ground black pepper (or to taste)

Instructions

Heat the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for 2–3 minutes, until softened.
Add the celery and carrots. Cook, stirring, for another 2–3 minutes.
Stir in the garlic powder and thyme. Add the chicken broth, cooked chicken, and cooked wild rice.
Reduce the heat to medium and simmer gently for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the milk. In a small bowl, whisk the arrowroot with 1 tablespoon cool water until smooth. Stir into the soup and heat gently for 1–2 minutes, until lightly thickened.
Add the salt gradually and season with the pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve warm.

Notes

• The 2 cups of wild rice and 3 cups of chicken are measured after cooking.

• For a dairy-free version, substitute 1 cup full-fat coconut milk for the milk and 2 tablespoons olive oil for the butter.

• Salt requirements depend on the broth; start with less and adjust to taste.

• The times listed assume the chicken and rice are already cooked.

• Add a little broth or water when reheating if needed.

Nutrition

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and preparation methods. Optional ingredients are not included. Net carbs are typically calculated by subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols (such as erythritol) from total carbohydrates. This information should not be relied upon for medical or nutritional purposes.