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Cozy Panera-Style Chicken and Wild Rice Soup: Easy Copycat Recipe

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This creamy, brothy, deeply savory soup captures the comfort of Panera’s chicken and wild rice soup without the drive-thru line or price tag. Made in one pot with real ingredients, it’s the perfect cozy meal for cold days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 cup wild rice blend
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
  • Extra black pepper (optional garnish)
  • Crusty bread or bread bowls for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stockpot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and onions are translucent.
  2. Add the minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the wild rice blend to the pot and stir. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the rice smells nutty and toasty.
  4. Sprinkle the flour over the rice and vegetables, stirring to coat evenly. Cook for 1 minute to cook off the raw flour taste.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and water, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until the rice is tender with a slight chew.
  6. Stir in the shredded chicken and heavy cream. Simmer uncovered for 5-10 minutes until the soup thickens slightly and the chicken is heated through.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Remove the bay leaf.
  8. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately with crusty bread or in bread bowls.

Notes

Toast the rice and aromatics before adding liquid for deeper flavor. Season in layers with salt at each stage. Avoid boiling after adding cream to prevent curdling. The soup thickens as it sits; add a splash of broth when reheating. For a dairy-free version, use olive oil and full-fat coconut milk. For a vegetarian version, omit chicken and use vegetable broth with chickpeas or white beans.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken and wild rice soup, Panera copycat, creamy chicken soup, one-pot soup, comfort food, wild rice soup

Find it online: https://grubella.com/cozy-panera-style-chicken-and-wild-rice-soup-easy-copycat-recipe/