Crock Pot Panera Chicken And Wild Rice Soup

This Crock Pot Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is creamy and hearty, which includes tender chicken and wild rice. It’s a copycat comfort food recipe, ready in about 7 hours and 45 minutes.

Crock Pot Panera Chicken And Wild Rice Soup Ingredients

• ½ cup finely diced carrots
• ½ cup finely diced celery
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 32 oz chicken stock
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups milk, divided
• ½ tsp pepper
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 large chicken breasts, cooked and shredded or finely diced
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 4.3 oz box of Rice a Roni Long Grain and Wild Rice + seasoning packet
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Scallions, to garnish

How To Make Crock Pot Panera Chicken And Wild Rice Soup

1. Add vegetables and chicken to slow cooker: Place raw chicken breasts, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic into the crock pot.
2. Pour in liquids and seasonings: Add chicken stock, water, 1 cup milk, pepper, oregano, bay leaf, and rice (with seasoning packet). Stir to combine.
3. Cook on LOW: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours (or HIGH for 3-4 hours) until chicken and rice are tender.
4. Shred the chicken: Remove chicken breasts, shred or dice, and return to the slow cooker.
5. Make cream mixture: In a small bowl, whisk remaining 1 cup milk with flour until smooth. Stir into the soup.
6. Thicken the soup: Cover and cook on HIGH for another 20-30 minutes until slightly thickened.
7. Season and serve: Adjust salt and pepper to taste, remove bay leaf, and garnish with scallions before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
  Yes, add cooked shredded chicken during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• What if the soup is too thick?
  Stir in extra milk or chicken stock until it reaches your preferred consistency.
• Can I make it dairy-free?
  Substitute unsweetened almond milk or oat milk, though the soup will be less creamy.
• How do I make it richer?
  Add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

What To Serve With Panera Chicken And Wild Rice Soup

This soup pairs perfectly with cozy, bakery-style sides:

• Crusty French bread or sourdough
• Panera-style green salad
• Garlic butter breadsticks
• Roasted vegetables like carrots or Brussels sprouts

How To Store Panera Chicken And Wild Rice Soup

Refrigerate: Store cooled soup in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Freeze in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Panera Chicken And Wild Rice Soup Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 186 kcal
• Fat: 2.9g
• Cholesterol: 15mg
• Sodium: 407.5mg
• Carbohydrates: 29.1g
• Fiber: 1.5g
• Sugar: 5.3g
• Protein: 10.9g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I use a different rice mix?
Yes, any long grain and wild rice mix will work; just adjust seasoning as needed.

Why is my soup too thick?
Add extra broth or water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.

Can I add mushrooms or spinach?
Yes, both make great additions—add mushrooms early in cooking and spinach at the end.

Try More Recipes:

• Crock Pot Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
• Crock Pot No-Peek Chicken
• Crock Pot Million Dollar Chicken