Cross-Country Skiers’ Hearty Wild Rice Soup
A warming and nutritious soup with Minnesota wild rice, tender chicken, and root vegetables, perfect for cold winter days outdoors. This american-inspired soups ready in about 75 minutes pairs uncooked wild rice, chicken broth, medium (1 cup) carrots, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 (about 1 lb) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 medium (1 cup) carrots, diced
- 2 (1 cup) celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium (1 cup) yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup uncooked wild rice under cold water. In a large pot, bring 6 cups chicken broth to a boil, then add the rinsed wild rice. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes.
- Step 2: While the rice cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup diced yellow onion, 1 cup diced carrots, and 1 cup diced celery and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the sautéed vegetables, 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts whole, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves to the pot with wild rice. Simmer for another 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Step 4: Remove the chicken breasts from the soup and shred them with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot, stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, and heat through for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cross-Country Skiers’ Hearty Wild Rice Soup take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cross-Country Skiers’ Hearty Wild Rice Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep uncooked wild rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cross-Country Skiers’ Hearty Wild Rice Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cross-Country Skiers’ Hearty Wild Rice Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cross-Country Skiers’ Hearty Wild Rice Soup?
American soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
