This creamy, dairy-free Chicken and Wild Rice Soup recipe combines tender chicken breast, earthy wild rice, and vibrant vegetables in a rich coconut milk broth. It’s the kind of wholesome, feel-good soup you’ll want to make again and again.
This creamy chicken and wild rice soup is the kind of meal that makes you slow down and savour every bite. It’s creamy (without the cream), cosy, and full of nourishing ingredients. Tender chicken, hearty wild rice, and a mix of carrots, celery, and mushrooms simmer together in a light coconut milk broth that feels both wholesome and satisfying. The lemon juice at the end brightens everything up, making each spoonful taste fresh and balanced. It’s simple, feel-good comfort food that’s perfect for chilly evenings or easy meal prep for the week ahead.
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Ingredients
You’ll love how simple and wholesome this creamy chicken and wild rice soup is to make. With just a few everyday ingredients you can create a deeply satisfying and healthy chicken soup.
- Chicken breasts: I simply toss 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4 halves) straight into the soup. They poach gently while the wild rice cooks, then shred beautifully at the end.
- Wild rice: Nutty and earthy. Make sure to use 100% wild rice — not black rice which can darken the broth! A wild rice blend also works well.
- Vegetables: Onion, carrot, celery (or celeriac), and mushrooms create a flavourful base.
- Coconut milk: Adds richness and a velvety, dairy-free creaminess.
- Flour: I use all-purpose flour to thicken the soup. For a gluten-free option, replace it with cornstarch.
- Broth: Use good-quality chicken broth or vegetable broth. Either homemade or store-bought, whichever you prefer.
- Italian seasoning & garlic: Bring warmth and aromatic depth.
- Lemon juice: Finishes the soup with a hint of brightness.
- Optional add-in: Stir in a handful of baby spinach at the end for colour and extra greens.
Tip: If using leftover roast chicken, add it near the end of cooking so it stays tender.
How to Make Chicken and Wild Rice Soup (Step-by-Step)
This easy wild rice soup comes together in just a few steps. It’s perfect for easy-going slow cooking while you get on with your evening.
1) Sauté the vegetables.
Start with olive oil, onion, celery, and carrot — your classic mirepoix. Cook in a large pot or Dutch Oven until the onions turn translucent — this is your flavour base.
2) Build the flavour.
Add mushrooms, garlic, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in the wild rice, chicken breasts, chicken broth, and water.
3) Simmer.
Cover and cook gently until the rice is nearly tender and the chicken is cooked through. Slow simmering builds a rich, savoury depth.
4) Shred the chicken.
Remove, shred or dice, then return the chicken to the pot.
5) Make the roux.
Whisk olive oil, flour, and coconut milk into a smooth, creamy sauce. Add it back into the soup to thicken beautifully.
6) Finish and serve.
Add spinach if you like, stir in lemon juice, and adjust seasoning. Serve warm and enjoy the comfort in every spoonful.
Full quantities are listed below in the printable recipe card.
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Variations
One of the best things about this creamy dairy-free chicken and wild rice soup is how easy it is to customise. You can mix things up with whatever you have on hand or tailor it to your family’s favourites! Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
- Swap the greens: Fresh baby spinach is lovely, but Tuscan kale, curly kale, or even Swiss chard make delicious, hearty alternatives.
- Change up the grains: Try brown rice, basmati, or even wild rice blends. Or for a quicker option, stir in orzo pasta instead. Just remember to adjust the cooking time based on what you use.
- Add extra vegetables: Diced zucchini, leeks, or sweetcorn add a nice pop of colour and texture.
- Boost the flavour: A splash of white wine or a sprinkle of fresh herbs can elevate the broth beautifully.
- Make it creamy your way: While this recipe uses coconut milk for a dairy-free twist, you can swap in single cream or half-and-half if preferred.
If you enjoyed this chicken soup recipe, you might also like a few of these other comforting soup recipes:
- Chicken Potato Soup – creamy, hearty, and full of classic, homestyle flavour.
- Asian Chicken Noodle Soup – a light, fragrant broth with tender chicken and udon noodles.
- Easy Chicken Gnocchi Soup – A fresh twist on classic chicken soup, made with pillowy gnocchi in place of potatoes.
- Mushroom and Wild Rice Soup (vegetarian) – another favourite recipe made with wild rice; It’s earthy, deeply savoury, and just as creamy (without the dairy) and every bit as satisfying as its chicken counterpart.
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Creamy yet dairy-free chicken and wild rice soup made with tender chicken, wild rice, and mushrooms in a silky coconut milk broth — comforting, wholesome, and perfect for cosy weeknight dinners.
I’d love your feedback – just click on the stars to rate this recipe! ⭐
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 small yellow onions, peeled and finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced (or 150 g celeriac, peeled and finely diced)
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 600-700 g chicken breasts halves (preferably sustainably sourced)
- 300 g cremini mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 3/4 cup uncooked wild rice (125 g)
- 3 cups chicken broth, good quality (750 ml)
- 1/2 cup water (125 ml)
- 1/3 cup flour (35 g)
- 1 x 400 ml can coconut milk (full-fat)
- Freshly squeezed juice from 1/2 lemon
Optional add-in:
- 2 large handfuls fresh baby spinach
Method
-
Sauté the vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, carrots, and cook, stirring often, until the onions are softened (4-5 minutes).
-
Build the flavour: Add the mushrooms, garlic, and Italian seasoning; stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the garlic is fragrant (1 minute). Then stir in the wild rice, whole chicken breasts, vegetable broth and water.
-
Simmer: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover with a lid and let it simmer gently for about 45 minutes, or until the rice is almost tender.
-
Shred or dice the chicken: Use tongs to transfer the chicken breasts to a cutting board. Either dice or use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then return it to the soup.
-
Prepare the roux: During the final 5 minutes of cooking, prepare the roux. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a small saucepan. Stir in the flour using a wooden spoon or whisk until fully blended. Gradually pour in the coconut milk while whisking continuously until the mixture thickens into a smooth sauce-like consistency.
-
Finish the soup: Transfer the coconut milk mixture to the pot with the soup, stir to combine, and simmer for 5 more minutes. If using, add the spinach in the final minutes and cook until wilted.
-
Season and serve: Stir in the lemon juice, taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper as desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to use 100% wild rice — not black rice (it will tint your soup). A wild rice blend also works nicely. Wild rice typically takes about 45 to 60 minutes to cook. However, the exact cooking time can vary based on factors like the type of wild rice, its age, and how it’s processed. It’s essential to follow the cooking instructions on the package and periodically check the rice for doneness.
- I use wild rice from Rapunzel which has a cooking time of 45 minutes. The slow cooking allows the flavours to deepen and develop.
- Alternatively, you can soak the wild rice for a few hours before cooking, which can help reduce the cooking time.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
For a relaxing atmosphere in the kitchen I recommend my personal Elle Republic: Chilled Out Kitchen Tunes Playlist on Spotify.
Did you try this Chicken and Wild Rice Soup recipe?
Did you try this Chicken and Wild Rice Soup recipe?Then tag @ellerepublic on Instagram and hashtag it #ellerepublic
How did you like it?
Please let me know how this Chicken and Wild Rice Soup recipe turned out for you! I would love to hear how you liked it. Simply rate it with the stars above ⭐ or leave me a comment and rate it below.
Did you make any changes to this recipe?
If you have tips for other readers, let me know! It helps me and other readers so much. Sharing is Caring :-).
This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through my link, Amazon will pay me a commission for it. This doesn’t cost you anything additional and the price remains the same.
