This Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup really is the BEST! It is super easy to make and the flavors are out of this world. This soup is perfect for a fall with it’s warm and inviting flavors and textures. It can be served as a soup course, lunch, or since it is loaded with tender chicken, wholesome wild rice, and lots of veggies, it is hearty enough to be a filling dinner. Perfect for one or feeding a crowd, this has become our go-to chicken and rice soup recipe!
Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe
There is just something about that cool crisp air that makes you want nothing more than a warm bowl of soup.
I love soups, but it hasn’t always been that way. For many years of my life, I only knew soup from a can, and to be perfectly candid, I wasn’t a big fan. As I grew older and started to learn to cook for myself soups seemed intimidating. I like to stay busy and I need recipes that are quick and easy, not long with lists of ingredients, and special time consuming cooking methods.
But I was misguided. Misled. Misinformed. Soup wasn’t my foe. It was my friend for all of these reasons!
While there are soups that can be more time intensive out there, you know I have your back and would only bring you recipes that are equally quick and delicious!
This Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup is so quick and easy to make, and is made even faster by using the Instant Pot pressure cooker! You really won’t believe how easy it is to get so much flavor and goodness so easily!
So whether this is your first time making soup, or you are a seasoned pro, I will walk you through this so that you have a perfect bowl of soup that you can share with family and friends.
If you need some more easy soup recipes, make sure and check out my favorite Tomato Basil Soup, this epic Loaded Baked Potato Soup, or the lighter but every bit as delicious Loaded Cauliflower Soup, and this crazy easy (and delicious) Lemon Chicken Soup!
How to Serve Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
Once you have this soup ready to go, I promise they will all start coming, so here are my favorite ways to serve the Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup.
How much is a serving of soup?
If you are serving soup as an appetizer course or along with a sandwich, salad, or other meal, you might want to offer a cup of soup. Generally a cup of soup is just that measured at about 1 cup (or 7-8 oz).
When you are serving soup as a meal in itself, you would serve a bowl of soup which is usually about 1.5-2 cups (12-16 oz.)
What do I serve with Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup?
This soup has it all, meat, veggies, grains and dairy! If you want it can absolutely stand on its own without anything accompanying it. However, if you are like me and always like a little something extra there are a few great options.
- Bread- You can do a piece of baguette, biscuits, or garlic toast. There are very few common breads I can think of that wouldn’t go well with this soup.
- Salad- Make a green salad with some extra veggies. Both vinaigrette dressings and creamy dressings like ranch would be a good flavor match for this soup.
- Sandwiches- From a basic turkey or ham and cheese to something more fancy like a loaded veggie sandwich, a panini, or Italian hoagie, this soup will pair well with almost any sandwich.
- Chicken or Steak- If you are using this as an appetizer course, pair it with a meat that is classic like this Garlic Chicken or Homemade Steak.
These are some of my quick and easy go-to’s. You can pick one or do a couple to have a filling meal. If you have another dish you love to pair soup with let (and all of our readers) know in the comments so I can try it out!
How to Make Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
This soup will be just as easy to make as promised! You can find the full instructions and printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Before that though, I am going to go through a few tips, tricks and frequently asked questions to make sure that you have an answer should anything come up while you are cooking.
Q: My Instant Pot won’t pressurize. What am I doing wrong?
A: It is VERY important that there is nothing stuck to the bottom of the silver pot inside your Instant Pot when you turn it on to cook. Make sure after sauteeing the veggies that you scrape the bottom down. Then, equally as important, make sure that you mix the broth into the pot so that it gets all the way to the bottom when you add the ingredients after you sauté the veggies. If you don’t do this, the veggies and chicken can sometimes create a seal that doesn’t allow the liquid to circulate and results in the bottom burning and the pot not being able to pressurize.
Q: Can I make this Creamy Chicken Rice Soup in a Crock Pot instead of an Instant Pot?
A: Yes, this recipe can be made in a crock pot. A few modifications do need to be made like reducing the broth to 2 cups. I will have a full recipe up for cooking Creamy Chicken and Rice soup in the slow cooker soon.
Q: Can I use frozen chicken in this recipe?
A: Yes you can use frozen chicken in this recipe. You will need to raise the cooking time, and how much time will depend on how your chicken is frozen. If it is frozen in individual pieces or in one solid 2 lb chunk. Individual chicken breasts will cook more quickly than one solid frozen chunk of chicken. The time will probably range from 10- 14 minutes depending on how thick the frozen piece(s) is.
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
A: Yes, you can and it will come out really well. If you prefer chicken thighs or dark meat, you can use them easily as a substitution in this recipe.
Q: Can I use half and half or milk instead of heavy cream?
A: This recipe was created and tested with heavy cream and is absolutely delicious. If you would like to make a substitution, you can try and and report back in the comments on what you thought. I cannot guarantee results outside of what I have tested, although I think that you may be able to do this with good results. The thickness and richness of the soup will be affected though.
Q: Can I make this soup thicker?
A: Yes, you can add additional cornstarch in the same way you add the 1 tbsp called for in the recipe.
Q: The recipe says the cornstarch is optional. How do you usually do it?
A: I usually make it without the cornstarch. I think it is great either way, but I tend to go with the easiest route without sacrificing flavor and this gives you just that with one less ingredient and 10 minutes faster!
What to do with Leftover Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
This soup is delicious, so it is very possible that your friends and family will lick the bowl clean and ask for the recipe to take with them. If you do find yourself with some leftover or make an extra batch to have an easy meal on hand, then you are in luck because it saves beautifully!
How to store soup in the refrigerator
Place the soup in one or more air tight containers and label with the date. Place in the the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
How to Freeze Soup
This soup freezes exceptionally well so you can freeze leftovers or make a batch just to keep on hand in the freezer. To freeze, ladle soup in individual portions into zip top bags. Lay flat on a cookie sheet in the freezer. Once frozen stack to store.
How to reheat Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
To reheat this soup for another delicious meal, take out the portion that you want and heat it:
- In the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring between each one until it is heated through.
- On the stove top in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through.
I really hope that your friends are asking you for another bowl of this soup just like mine did! Nothing is better than a quick and easy meal that everyone loves!
If you do get a chance to try it, I would love it if you let me know! You can leave me a comment below, or if you post a picture on Instagram, make sure to tag me @easyfamilyrecipes so that I can see what you are cooking up! It makes my day to see others enjoying the recipes that I share!
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Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 4 oz baby bella mushrooms chopped
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2.5 cups chicken broth
- 1 box 6 oz Uncle Ben's Wild Rice (with seasonings)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2-1 tsp kosher salt
- Optional
- 1 tbsp cornstarch for thickening
Instructions
- Add the chopped onion, carrots, baby bella mushrooms, and butter to the Instant Pot. Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode and cook stirring frequently and scraping the bottom to remove any stuck on bits until the onions turn clear, about 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken breasts, chicken broth, rice and seasoning packet from the rice and stir well to make sure the liquid is distributed to the bottom of the pot and nothing is stuck on. Set on Manual- high pressure to cook for 8 minutes. Once it is done cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Remove the chicken carefully (it will be hot) from the soup and chop it into small bites. Stir the chicken back into the soup and then slowly add in the heavy cream while stirring constantly. Stir in 1/2 tsp salt, then add up to an additional 1/2 tsp to taste.
- Serve as is, or if you prefer a thicker broth, remove 1 cup of liquid from the soup and slowly mix it into 1 tbsp cornstarch. Once combined, stir the cornstarch mixture back into the soup, mix well, and replace the lid on the Instant Pot and let set for 10 minutes. Once set, stir well, serve, and enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
- You can use other cuts of chicken in this soup such as chicken thighs with a good result. Cooking time may vary.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator or in the freezer for up to a month.
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
Tiffanie says
Can I use flour instead of cornstarch?how could I cook the flour taste out?
Brenda says
I’m about to attempt making this in my crock pot. Any other modifications needed other than reducing the amount of broth?
Debbie Bullard says
I selected this recipe because it did NOT say “wild rice” in the title! LOL! But the ingredients sound great.
Any suggestions for using long grain white rice instead of the wild?
Kaytee says
The soup was delicious. I used leftover roasted chicken that I put in after the rice and veg is were done. I also added about 1 cup of half and half to the soup … it is a nice thick one! A great recipe. I will use again ?
Lisa says
Thank you for the idea to use cooked chicken. Making this tonight!
Monica Arbogast says
My family loved this soup. I did use more broth and less cream, because my husband doesn’t like a creamy soup. It was great!
BONNIE MCGHGHY says
This was the best, even the grand kids loved it, thank you for sharing
Lisa G says
Rich and tasty! I always try to make the recipe faithfully before reviewing, but I did make some changes out of preference and necessity. I doubled the amount of mushrooms because we love them. Couldn’t find a 6 oz box of the rice, so I used two 4.3 oz boxes, both seasoning packets and added a bit more water. We had cooked shredded chicken, so I added it after the 8 minute cook and 5 minute natural release. We had half and half, and with the added rice soaking up the broth, it didn’t need any cornstarch. The whole was impressed. Thanks for sharing!
Chelsea Clements says
This was amazing! We will definitely be making this again and again, it was so easy and delicious. And the leftovers disappeared so that always qualifies as a win.