There’s something magical about soup season. The air turns crisp, the leaves start to crunch underfoot, and suddenly the idea of simmering something warm and hearty all day feels irresistible. That’s where Chicken and Wild Rice Soup comes in. Recently I shared 17 Cozy Crockpot Dishes for Fall and this recipe made the list!

This recipe is my go-to on those gray, chilly days when I want dinner to practically make itself. The slow cooker fills the kitchen with the comforting aroma of garlic, herbs, and broth, while the Instant Pot version makes it possible to have the same cozy bowl on the table in under an hour. So you can either have it marinate all day long in the flavors, or make a healthy “fast food” dinner that quickly cooks up in the pressure cooker.

Either way, you’ll end up with a soup that’s creamy, nourishing, and just the kind of meal you want to curl up with at the end of a long day.

This post is all about chicken and wild rice soup.

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Why This Soup is a Fall Favorite

When I think of fall food, I think of meals that don’t just feed us but take care of us, fills us up, and warms us up on a cold day. Wild rice is earthy and nutty, and when paired with tender chicken and vegetables, it becomes more than just soup — it’s comfort in a bowl! Not only that, but I’ve found myself really enjoying my pressure cooker and slow cooker because I don’t have to worry about keeping the stove on for long periods of time.

Here’s why this chicken and wild rice soup deserves a spot on your fall menu and to cook it this way:

It’s hands-off cooking: let the slow cooker or Instant Pot do the work.
It’s nutritious: wild rice is naturally rich in fiber, minerals, and protein.
It’s family-friendly: simple flavors kids enjoy, with enough depth for adults.
And maybe best of all — it’s leftover-friendly, and tastes even better the next day.

Tools You’ll Need for Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Slow Cooker or Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot) – the heart of this recipe; lets the soup simmer to perfection with minimal effort.
Cutting Board + Sharp Knife – for chopping veggies, chicken, and herbs.
Measuring Cups + Spoons – to portion out broth, rice, and seasonings accurately.
Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula – for stirring ingredients together.
Ladle – for serving soup into bowls without a mess.
Mixing Bowl (optional) – if you’d like to pre-mix any seasonings or whisk cream/milk before adding.
Storage Containers – airtight containers for storing leftovers in the fridge or freezer.

Gathering Your Ingredients

Before you start, imagine the layers of flavor we’re building: sweet carrots, savory onion, garlicky broth, tender shreds of chicken, and wild rice that soaks it all in. The ingredient list may look humble, but together, they create something special.

chicken and wild rice soup in crock pot — wild rice

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for extra flavor: We’ve been on a kick of using chicken thighs lately. There’s just so much more flavor in them than the breast. We used to use chicken breasts for everything but now we’re really going for more flavor with our meals.

Wild rice – this type of rice has a very distinct flavor in comparison to say, white or brown. It’s a healthier option compared to white rice and packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, protein, and fiber. This is also a better choice if you’re watching your sugar. Unlike other rices, wild rice has a low glycemic index.

Onion, carrots, celery, garlic – need I really say anything about these vegetables? These are the base of so many soups and I like to have them on hand as much as possible. Traditionally this is what’s included in a chicken and wild rice soup, however, feel free to add other veg. Like kale or spinach are great options.

Chicken broth – whether you grab this from the supermarket or make your own, this is another part of the base.

Thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper – season to taste! Thyme is one of the herbs I always have on hand out in the garden. If you’ve been following me and read my posts, I always encourage my readers to think about what herbs they use on a regular basis in their cooking. Those are what you should be considering growing in the garden if you want to grow your own herbs. This may come as a surprise but right now is actually a great time to get started with some herbs. Check out this post for herbs to plant this fall.

Milk or half-and-half for creaminess (optional but recommended) – this is totally customizable to your preferences. Are you team creamy chicken and wild rice soup, or do you like a more traditional soup that’s like a chicken soup?

Flour and butter if you prefer a thicker, chowder-like consistency

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

This comforting Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is a cozy one-pot meal packed with tender chicken, hearty wild rice, and vegetables simmered in savory broth. Perfect for chilly evenings, this recipe can be made in the slow cooker for a hands-off approach or in the Instant Pot for a faster weeknight option. Creamy or brothy, it’s flexible, nourishing, and always delicious.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 8

Total Time 8 15

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Equipment

Slow Cooker or Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot)
cutting board
Sharp Knife
Measuring cups & spoons
Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula
Ladle
Mixing Bowl (optional)
Storage Containers

Ingredients

1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
1 cup wild rice rinsed
2 medium carrots diced
2 ribs celery diced
1 medium yellow onion chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
6 cups chicken broth low-sodium preferred
1 cup milk or half-and-half for creaminess
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried parsley
1-2 bay leaves
1 tsp salt adjust to taste
½ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp all-purpose flour optional, for thickening
Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Slow Cooker Method (6–8 hours on Low / 4 hours on High)

Prep the Ingredients

Dice up the carrots, celery, onion. After dicing up those vegetables, mince the cloves of garlic.
Next, rinse 1 cup of wild rice under cold water to remove excess starch.

Layer the Base

Place the chicken breasts (about 1 ½ lbs) in the slow cooker.
Add the prepared carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and wild rice on top.

Season + Add Liquids

Sprinkle with 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp thyme, 1 tsp parsley.
Pour in 6 cups chicken broth.
Stir lightly to combine.

Cook

Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours until the chicken and rice are tender.

Shred the Chicken

Remove chicken breasts, shred with two forks, then return to the pot.
Finish with Creaminess (Optional)
Stir in 1 cup half-and-half or ½ cup heavy cream if you like a creamier soup.

Serve

Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm with bread or crackers.

Instant Pot Method (35–40 minutes + 10 minutes natural release)

Prep the Ingredients

Dice carrots, celery, onion, and mince garlic.
Rinse wild rice under cold water.

Sauté Aromatics

Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode.
Add 1 tbsp olive oil.
Cook onion, carrots, celery, and garlic for 3–4 minutes until softened.

Add Chicken + Seasonings

Place chicken breasts directly in the pot.
Add rinsed wild rice.
Sprinkle with salt, pepper, thyme, and parsley.

Pour in Broth

Add 6 cups chicken broth.
Stir well to combine.

Pressure Cook

Cancel Sauté mode.
Secure the lid, set valve to Sealing.
Cook on High Pressure for 35 minutes.

Natural Release

Let the Instant Pot release pressure naturally for 10 minutes.
Carefully turn valve to Venting to release any remaining pressure.

Shred + Finish

Remove chicken, shred, and return to the pot.
Stir in optional cream or half-and-half for a richer soup.

Serve

Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy warm.

Notes

Timing

Prep Time: 15 minutes (chopping vegetables, rinsing rice, mincing garlic, seasoning chicken)
Cook Time:
- Slow Cooker: 6–8 hours on low OR 4 hours on high
- Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker: 35–40 minutes on high pressure + 10 minutes natural release

Keyword chicken and wild rice soup

Tips & Variations of This Soup

This soup is flexible enough to match what you have on hand, which may be one of the reasons so many people love to make it. There are so many variations to choose from, including the one I mentioned above by adding in some green veggies. You can even make it dairy free and gluten free!

Here are some ways to put a twist on it:

Stir in kale or spinach for an extra nutrient boost.
Use coconut milk if you want it dairy-free but still creamy.
Add a squeeze of lemon juice or splash of white wine for brightness.
Freeze leftovers in single portions — just add extra broth when reheating since wild rice keeps soaking up liquid.

What to Serve It With

Whenever I make this soup, I try to pair it with something simple on the side. A slice of crusty sourdough, a pan of warm biscuits, or even a quick salad makes the meal feel complete. And if it’s a particularly chilly evening, roasted veggies alongside are always welcome.

I plan on sharing my sourdough recipe that I use all the time and is a constant in our home. It’s a super simple recipe that’s super flexible and can either rise out on the counter, or put in the fridge and then out on the counter.

Final Thoughts

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is more than just a recipe — it’s a ritual of slowing down, letting the pot do its work, and savoring something warm and nourishing. Whether you let it simmer all day in the slow cooker or whip it up in under an hour with the Instant Pot, this is one of those recipes that makes you grateful for soup season.

So the next time the weather turns chilly, set a pot going and let the cozy aroma fill your home. Dinner will be waiting when you are.

This post was all about chicken and wild rice soup.