Panera Chicken And Wild Rice Soup Recipe Crock Pot
If you're a fan of Panera's chicken and wild rice soup, you're not alone! This soup is one of the most popular items on the menu, and for good reason. It's hearty, flavorful, and perfect for a chilly day. But did you know that you can make this soup at home in your crock pot? That's right! With a few simple ingredients and some time in the crock pot, you can have delicious Panera-style chicken and wild rice soup in the comfort of your own home.
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups milk
Instructions
- Rinse the wild rice in a fine mesh strainer and add it to the crock pot.
- Add the chicken breasts, chicken broth, water, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, rosemary, sage, salt, and pepper to the crock pot. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
- Remove the chicken from the crock pot and shred it with two forks. Return the chicken to the crock pot.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the mixture is smooth and bubbly.
- Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly, until the mixture is smooth and thickened.
- Add the milk mixture to the crock pot and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes, or until the soup is heated through and thickened to your liking.
- Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed, and serve hot.
This recipe makes a large batch of soup, so you can enjoy it for several meals or freeze the leftovers for later. It's a great recipe to make on a weekend and enjoy throughout the week.
Tips for Success
- Rinse the wild rice before adding it to the crock pot to remove any excess starch and prevent it from getting too sticky.
- For a creamier soup, use half-and-half or heavy cream instead of milk.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add more flour/butter mixture to the crock pot and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- Feel free to add other vegetables or herbs to the soup, such as mushrooms or parsley.
- If you're short on time, you can skip the butter/flour mixture and use a can of condensed cream of chicken soup instead.
- If you're using frozen chicken breasts, be sure to add an extra hour of cooking time to ensure that they are cooked through.
Conclusion
There's nothing quite like a warm bowl of chicken and wild rice soup on a cold day. And with this crock pot recipe, you can enjoy the delicious flavors of Panera's soup in the comfort of your own home. It's easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for a cozy night in. So why not give it a try?