If you’re craving something cozy, hearty, and packed with autumn flavors, look no further than this Creamy Fall Wild Rice Soup Recipe. It’s a comforting blend of tender wild rice, sweet butternut squash, savory chicken, and fresh herbs all simmered in a luscious, creamy broth that feels like a warm hug on chilly days. This soup hits all the right notes with its perfect balance of textures and rich flavors, making it a top pick to welcome the fall season right in your kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a metal tray holding different bowls and containers with ingredients. In the top left corner, a white bowl is filled with bright orange cubed sweet potatoes. To the right, another white bowl contains sliced orange carrots and chopped light green celery on top. Below the sweet potatoes, a small dark bowl has chopped white onions. In the center, a small metal measuring cup holds a mix of white and brown wild rice. Next to it, a small wooden bowl contains light ground spices. A white bowl on the bottom right is filled with chopped cooked chicken, placed next to fresh green sage and thyme sprigs. At the bottom left, a wooden bowl is full of dark green kale leaves. In the front center, a clear glass measuring cup holds a light golden broth. The tray sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering a handful of simple but essential ingredients is all you need to create this deliciously creamy, satisfying fall soup. Each item plays a vital role, whether it’s adding sweetness, earthiness, creaminess, or that irresistibly nutty wild rice texture.

Carrots: Provide natural sweetness and a lovely pop of orange color.
Celery: Adds subtle freshness and crunch to balance the creaminess.
Onion: The flavor base that deepens the overall taste.
Butternut Squash: Gives sweetness, creaminess, and beautiful fall vibes.
Olive Oil: Used for sautéing, adding richness without overpowering flavors.
Butter: Boosts the soup’s silky texture and toasts the garlic perfectly.
Garlic: Infuses the soup with aromatic notes that awaken your taste buds.
Flour: Helps create a roux that thickens the broth to a luscious creaminess.
Umami Mushroom Seasoning: Deepens umami flavors naturally and beautifully.
Onion Powder: Enhances overall savory taste, complementing fresh onions.
Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and brightening flavors as you cook.
Broth: The flavorful liquid that melds all ingredients into a comforting soup.
RiceSelect Royal Blend Wild Rice: Adds a nutty crunch and whole-grain goodness that’s utterly satisfying.
Fresh Thyme, Sage, and Bay Leaf: Bring fragrant herbal notes that evoke fall’s cozy spirit.
Heavy Cream: Creates the soup’s signature creamy texture and rich mouthfeel.
Kale: Adds a pop of green, vibrant nutrients, and slight earthiness.
Cooked Chicken: Turns this soup into a hearty, filling meal perfect for any chilly day.

TIP

You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.

How to Make Creamy Fall Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Veggies

Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Toss in the sliced carrots, diced celery, onion, and chopped butternut squash. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook them for about 6 to 8 minutes until they’ve softened just enough to release their natural sweetness but still hold some texture. Then stir in butter and garlic, letting the garlic become fragrant for about a minute – this step builds a flavorful foundation that’s impossible to resist.

Step 2: Make the Roux

Once your veggies are tender and your kitchen is smelling heavenly, sprinkle the flour over them. Stir well so the flour coats every piece and cooks for 1 to 2 minutes. This creates a roux, a classic thickening base that will give your soup that silky, creamy consistency we’re aiming for in this Creamy Fall Wild Rice Soup Recipe.

Step 3: Add Broth, Rice, and Herbs

Pour in the broth, then stir in the RiceSelect Royal Blend wild rice and fresh herbs—thyme tied with baker’s twine, sage leaves, and a bay leaf. Let everything simmer together for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the wild rice is perfectly cooked – tender but with a slight chew. Then remove the herb bundle so the flavors are infused without overpowering your soup.

Step 4: Finish with Cream, Chicken, and Kale

In the final stretch, pour in the heavy cream and add your cooked, shredded chicken along with the kale. Stir gently as the kale wilts and the chicken warms through. This step enriches the soup with creaminess and adds that extra dose of heartiness to turn this into a complete meal for those crisp fall evenings.

How to Serve Creamy Fall Wild Rice Soup Recipe

A large white pot filled with creamy soup that has visible layers including orange carrot slices, green kale leaves, and cooked rice, all mixed in a light yellow creamy broth. Fresh herbs like thyme and sage leaves float on top, adding texture and color contrast. A wooden spoon with a white handle rests inside the pot, slightly dipped in the soup. Next to the pot lies a small green-white bowl with extra herb sprigs and a container of mixed rice showing dark and light grains. The whole setup sits on a white marbled surface with a blue and white striped cloth nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To make your soup truly shine, think about sprinkling fresh herbs like chopped parsley or extra thyme leaves on top. A light drizzle of good-quality olive oil or a few grinds of black pepper can also elevate each spoonful with fresh aromatic bursts.

Side Dishes

Pair this soup with crusty artisan bread or warm dinner rolls to soak up every creamy, flavorful drop. A simple green salad dressed with a tangy vinaigrette makes a refreshing contrast to the rich soup, creating a balanced meal you and your guests will adore.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special touch, serve the soup in hollowed-out mini pumpkins or rustic bread bowls. Not only does it look gorgeous on any autumn table, but it also adds a fun interactive element to the meal that friends and family will remember and love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This Creamy Fall Wild Rice Soup Recipe stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It’s perfect for planning ahead or enjoying a second cozy meal with minimal effort. Just be sure to stir well before reheating.

Freezing

If you want to save some for a later date, freeze the soup in individual portions using freezer-safe containers. Keep in mind that kale can become a little softer after freezing, so you may want to add fresh greens when reheating to brighten things back up.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave, stirring frequently to prevent scorching and to evenly warm the soup. Adding a splash of broth or water can help loosen the consistency if it has thickened too much in the fridge or freezer.

FAQs

Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth and omit the chicken or replace it with hearty mushrooms or tofu for added texture. The umami mushroom seasoning helps maintain that savory depth.

What type of wild rice should I use?

Using a blend like RiceSelect Royal Blend is ideal as it features a mix of wild rice and other whole-grain rices, providing a great texture and nutty flavor that perfectly complements this soup.

How can I make this soup dairy-free?

Swap out the heavy cream for coconut cream or a creamy plant-based milk such as cashew or oat milk. These alternatives will still give you the luscious creamy texture without dairy.

Can I prepare this soup ahead of time?

Yes, in fact, this soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. Prepare it fully, refrigerate overnight, and reheat just before serving for maximum convenience and flavor.

What’s the best way to store fresh herbs used in the soup?

To keep fresh herbs like thyme and sage at their best until cooking time, wrap them in a damp paper towel and store them inside a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Using baker’s twine to tie herbs together helps with easy removal after cooking.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Fall Wild Rice Soup Recipe is one of those magical dishes that brings instant comfort, warmth, and satisfaction with every spoonful. It’s simple to make but boasts a complexity of flavors that only homemade cooking can deliver. I truly hope you give this recipe a try and find it becoming your go-to soup as the temperatures drop and the leaves start turning. Cozy up, grab a bowl, and enjoy the delicious taste of fall!

Creamy Fall Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need