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Cozy Panera-Style Chicken Wild Rice Soup: Budget-Friendly

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A creamy, hearty chicken and wild rice soup inspired by Panera, made budget-friendly with rotisserie chicken and simple pantry staples. Ready in about 45 minutes, this comforting soup is perfect for meal prep and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium rotisserie chicken (about 2–3 cups shredded)
  • 1 cup wild rice blend, uncooked
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the wild rice: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup wild rice blend with 2 cups water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes until tender. Drain any excess water and set aside.
  2. Shred the chicken: Remove meat from rotisserie chicken, discard skin and bones, and shred into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
  3. Sauté the vegetables: In a large pot, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until onions are translucent and carrots soften. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Make the roux: Sprinkle 3 tablespoons flour over the vegetables. Stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook out raw flour taste.
  5. Add the broth: Slowly pour in 4 cups chicken broth while stirring continuously. Bring to a gentle simmer, then add dried thyme, bay leaf, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
  6. Combine everything: Stir in cooked wild rice and shredded chicken. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
  7. Finish with cream: Remove bay leaf. Stir in 1 cup half-and-half. Heat gently for 2-3 minutes without boiling. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Serve and garnish: Ladle into bowls and top with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread or crackers.

Notes

For best results, cook the wild rice separately to avoid a starchy mess. The soup thickens as it sits; add extra broth when reheating. For dairy-free, use olive oil and full-fat coconut milk. For gluten-free, use cornstarch or arrowroot powder instead of flour. The soup tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken wild rice soup, Panera copycat, creamy chicken soup, budget-friendly soup, rotisserie chicken soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/cozy-panera-style-chicken-wild-rice-soup-budget-friendly/