A satisfying, creamy chicken soup with tender rice and veggies.
Prep: 15 minutesminutes
Cook: 1 hourhour
Total: 1 hourhour15 minutesminutes
Yield:8people
Ingredients
1tablespoonoil
2chicken legs, or other portion of chicken (2 breasts would work, or 2 legs/thighs for a meatier soup)
½onion, chopped
1carrot, chopped
2stalkscelery, bottoms and tops trimmed, sliced
6 - 8ouncesmushrooms, sliced
3clovesgarlic
7cupslow-salt chicken stock
6ounceswild rice blend
¼cupbutter(1/2 stick)
½cupflour
1cuphalf-and-half, cream, or milk
1tbspfresh chopped parsley, if desired, for garnish
Instructions
Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and freshly ground pepper (watch the salt if you brined your chicken). When hot, place chicken in pot and brown on each side, about 4 minutes each side.
Remove the chicken and set aside. Add your mirepoix (celery, onions, and carrots) and mushrooms and cook about 10 minutes, or until quite soft. Add your garlic and cook for about 1 minutes, or until fragrant.
Add 7 cups chicken stock and replace your chicken thighs back in the pot. Bring the a bare boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, make your rice per package directions. Set aside. About 10 minutes before the soup is done simmering, make your roux. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter and whisk well. Let cook for 2-3 minutes, to cook out the flour taste. Add in half-and-half, cream, or milk and whisk until very smooth. Raise the heat a tad, to allow the mixture to come to a boil, whisking constantly. Immediately lower the heat to medium and cook for about 1 minute, or until thickened.
Remove the chicken legs and allow to cool for just a few minutes. Add the flour and cream mixture to the pot of soup and whisk well to blend. When the chicken is cool enough, remove meat from the bone and shred or chop. Add back to the soup.
Add in the rice and taste for seasonings. Add the seasoning package if you like, or more salt or freshly ground pepper.
Notes
Spoon into individual bowls and serve with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.