Description
Recreate the beloved Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup at home with this comforting and flavorful copycat recipe. Packed with tender chicken, earthy wild rice, and creamy broth, it’s a hearty meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup cooked wild rice blend
- 1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Melt butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes.
- 2. Stir in sliced mushrooms and cook until they release moisture and brown, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 3. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to coat. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes.
- 4. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a simmer until thickened.
- 5. Stir in cooked chicken and cooked wild rice blend.
- 6. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Stir in half-and-half (or heavy cream), thyme, and rosemary (if using).
- 7. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Simmer gently, uncovered, for another 5-10 minutes until desired consistency is reached. Do not boil after adding dairy.
- 8. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
Allow soup to cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For freezing, omit dairy, freeze for up to 2-3 months, and stir in fresh dairy when reheating. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approx. 350-450
- Sugar: Approx. 5-8g
- Sodium: Approx. 800-1200mg (varies with broth)
- Fat: Approx. 18-25g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 25-30g
- Fiber: Approx. 3-5g
- Protein: Approx. 20-25g