Herb-Infused Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
A hearty, aromatic soup featuring tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and a blend of fresh herbs simmered in a rich chicken broth base. This american-inspired soups ready in about 70 minutes pairs olive oil, large, diced onion, diced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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 lb, boneless and skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup wild rice
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh dill
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken pieces and cook for 5 minutes until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp dried rosemary, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp salt. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Return chicken to pot, add 1 cup wild rice, 4 cups chicken broth, and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes until rice is tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup fresh parsley and 1/4 cup fresh dill. Cook for 2 minutes until herbs are fragrant and soup is heated through.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Infused Chicken and Wild Rice Soup take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 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 Herb-Infused Chicken and 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Infused Chicken and 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 Herb-Infused Chicken and Wild Rice Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Herb-Infused Chicken and 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.