Autumn Wild Rice Soup Recipe
A comforting and hearty Autumn Wild Rice Soup featuring tender wild rice, savory chicken, earthy mushrooms, and aromatic herbs, finished with a creamy touch and garnished with toasted nuts and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for cozy fall evenings.
- Author: Rico
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering and Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Rice and Broth
- 1 cup wild rice, rinsed
- 8 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Herbs and Spices
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Protein and Dairy
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Optional Enhancements and Garnishes
- 1/4 cup dry sherry (optional, but adds a lovely depth of flavor)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted (for garnish)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)
- Cook the Wild Rice: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed wild rice with 4 cups of the chicken broth. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45-50 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the grains have split open. Check periodically and add more broth if needed. Drain any excess liquid and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until softened and the onion is translucent. Add the sliced cremini mushrooms and cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until tender and have released their moisture. Add the minced garlic, dried thyme, dried sage, dried rosemary, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.
- Simmer the Soup: Pour the remaining 4 cups of chicken broth into the pot with the sautéed vegetables. Add the cooked wild rice and shredded cooked chicken. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour, stirring occasionally.
- Finishing Touches: Stir in the heavy cream (or coconut milk) and dry sherry (if using). Add the chopped fresh parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat through gently, being careful not to boil the soup after adding the cream.
- Serving: Ladle the Autumn Wild Rice Soup into bowls. Garnish with toasted pecans or walnuts and grated Parmesan cheese (if using). Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use low sodium chicken broth to control the salt level in the soup.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk.
- The dry sherry is optional but adds a rich depth of flavor.
- To toast nuts, heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be frozen for longer storage.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice tolerance or omit for milder flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approximate)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: thirty-five g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: autumn soup, wild rice soup, chicken soup, creamy soup, fall recipe, hearty soup, mushroom soup