Chicken Bacon And Wild Rice Soup
Fall is here, and that means one thing in our house — soup season. There’s just something about a pot of soup simmering on the stove that makes everything feel cozier. Add a loaf of bread on the side, and that’s my kind of meal.
This chicken bacon wild rice soup is rich, comforting, and absolutely not what anyone would call “skinny.” It’s full of butter, half and half, and bacon — and honestly, that’s exactly why it’s so good. This is one of those soups that feels indulgent, filling, and completely satisfying, especially on a chilly fall or winter day.
This is a recipe we use in our home when the weather turns cool and we want something hearty and comforting that will feed the whole family and still taste just as good the next day.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Bacon Wild Rice Soup
There are so many reasons this chicken bacon wild rice soup has stood the test of time and remains a favorite.
-
Rich, creamy, and comforting
-
Hearty enough to be a full meal
-
Perfect for fall and winter nights
-
Great for leftovers and make-ahead meals
-
Feels nostalgic and cozy
The combination of tender chicken, smoky bacon, and chewy wild rice creates the most comforting texture. Add the creamy base, and you have a soup that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.
Ingredients for Chicken Bacon Wild Rice Soup
This chicken bacon wild rice soup uses simple, familiar ingredients that come together in the best way.
-
3 (10¾ oz) cans chicken broth
-
2 cups water
-
1/2 cup uncooked wild rice, rinsed
-
1/2 cup finely chopped green onions
-
1/2 cup butter or margarine
-
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
-
1/2 teaspoon salt
-
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
-
1/8 teaspoon pepper
-
2 cups half and half
-
1 1/2 cups cubed or shredded cooked chicken or turkey
-
8 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
Tip: Rotisserie chicken works beautifully here and saves time.
How to Make
This chicken bacon wild rice soup comes together in stages, but each step is simple and straightforward.
Step 1: Cook the Wild Rice
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine the chicken broth and water. Add the rinsed wild rice and chopped green onions. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30–45 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
Do not drain the liquid — the extra broth is exactly what you want.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Base
In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour, salt, poultry seasoning, and pepper. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly.
Gradually whisk in the half and half, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken slightly.
Step 3: Combine
Pour the creamy mixture into the pot with the rice and broth. Stir well to combine.
Add the cooked chicken and crumbled bacon, then reduce the heat to low.
Step 4: Simmer
Let the chicken bacon wild rice soup gently heat for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not let it boil.
At first, the soup may look thin, but the longer it gently simmers, the thicker and more flavorful it becomes. This soup is even better if allowed to heat slowly for a longer period of time or served the next day.
Chicken Bacon Wild Rice Soup Tips
This is one of those soups that rewards patience.
-
Low and slow heating gives the best texture
-
The soup thickens as it sits
-
Flavors deepen over time
-
Leftovers taste even better
For extra flavor, you can add a bit more poultry seasoning or reserve some bacon to sprinkle on top just before serving.
Make-Ahead Tips
This chicken bacon wild rice soup is an excellent make-ahead meal.
-
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
-
Reheat gently on the stove
-
Add a splash of broth or half and half if it thickens too much
Because of the dairy, this soup is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated rather than frozen.
What to Serve with This Soup
This chicken bacon wild rice soup is hearty enough to stand on its own, but it pairs beautifully with simple sides.
-
A crusty loaf of bread
-
Sourdough or French bread
-
Simple green salad
-
Crackers or biscuits
This is the kind of meal that feels complete without much else on the table.
Amazon Kitchen Store
If you’re looking for the kitchen tools I use to make soups like this chicken bacon wild rice recipe, I’ve linked my favorite everyday essentials in my Amazon kitchen store. It’s where I keep the pots, wooden spoons, ladles, and tools we use in our home all season long — all in one place if you’re looking to simplify your kitchen or upgrade a few basics.
Chicken Bacon Wild Rice Soup
Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Inactive Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Short Description:
A rich and comforting chicken bacon wild rice soup made with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a creamy base. This hearty soup is perfect for cozy fall and winter meals.
Ingredients
-
3 cans chicken broth
-
2 cups water
-
1/2 cup wild rice
-
1/2 cup green onions
-
1/2 cup butter
-
3/4 cup flour
-
1/2 tsp salt
-
1/4 tsp poultry seasoning
-
1/8 tsp pepper
-
2 cups half and half
-
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken
-
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
-
Combine broth, water, wild rice, and green onions. Simmer until rice is tender.
-
Melt butter and stir in flour and seasonings. Cook until bubbly.
-
Slowly whisk in half and half until slightly thickened.
-
Add creamy mixture to rice pot.
-
Stir in chicken and bacon.
-
Heat gently on low for at least 30 minutes. Do not boil.
Final Thoughts
This chicken bacon wild rice soup is one of those recipes that never goes out of style. It’s rich, comforting, and perfect for cozy nights at home when you want something filling and familiar.
If you’re planning to make this later, be sure to pin the images from this post to your favorite soup or comfort food boards so you can easily find it again. I’ll also be linking to more of my favorite soup recipes here on the blog to help you build a full menu for fall and winter meals.
Another one of my favorite soups is my Butternut Squash soup. Click here for the recipe!
This looks so yummy. How much pimento and how much sherry do I need to use.
Can't wait to try it!
Thanks,
Lucinda
Oh you and all your talents! Lol! Now a delicious soup?! Looks yummy, can't wait to try it.
Also, you were one of my fav pins this week…you're on my blog this morning. ;o)
Mary
Oh yum! This looks so good!! I love soup season! 🙂 Have a great day! xo Holly
I omitted the sherry and pimento! 🙂
I am head over heels in love with your china- where did you find it/who makes it? I've been in hot pursuit of something just like this for over two years now!
I probably wouldn't put the pimentos in either but you'd be amazed what a little splash of sherry does for a soup! Can't wait to try!
Do you not know I am on a diet????? I am drooling on my computer right now…..
xo~Jill
Appreciate your honesty about the "not so skinny" soup. Still looks so very yummy! oxox
This looks amazing! Wish I had some right now. 🙂
~FringeGirl
I am going to try both of these! Thanks!
This is what's for dinner tonight! Love it, thank you for sharing : o )
Sometimes a skinny recipe is boring…this one looks very good and especially with a loaf of bread 🙂
This looks amazing! I'm so excited for soup season and this is being added to my rotation.
Stephanie @ My Messmerized Life
oh my goodness…I can't wait to try it!
How would you do this in a cockpot?
This sounds so yummy. Gonna have to try!
Thanks for sharing
Oh my gosh, thank you for this recipe and your pumpkin coffee bundt cake recipe too! We had friends over this last week end, 2 different sets on on Saturday and another on Sunday. On Saturday we bar b qued the last days of summer here in far Northern California, and my wife made the pumpkin coffee bundt cake for dessert, it was a HUGE hit everyone loved it! On to Sunday this was a impromtu gathering of old friends, and I had planned on making your soup recipe so I did, and since the pumpkin coffee bundt cake was such a hit on Saturday night my wife made it again for Sunday. Let me tell you that the soup was a HUGE hit also. It was so creamy and yummy, and delicious! Everyone wanted the recipe! The only thing I did different was I added 2 cups of sliced fresh mushrooms. It was a cool cloudy day on Sunday and the soup just hit the spot. We will definitly be making both recipes again!! Thanks for sharing them!
Blessings to you and yours
Curtis & Sherrie.
Oh my gosh, thank you for this recipe and your pumpkin coffee bundt cake recipe too! We had friends over this last week end, 2 different sets on on Saturday and another on Sunday. On Saturday we bar b qued the last days of summer here in far Northern California, and my wife made the pumpkin coffee bundt cake for dessert, it was a HUGE hit everyone loved it! On to Sunday this was a impromtu gathering of old friends, and I had planned on making your soup recipe so I did, and since the pumpkin coffee bundt cake was such a hit on Saturday night my wife made it again for Sunday. Let me tell you that the soup was a HUGE hit also. It was so creamy and yummy, and delicious! Everyone wanted the recipe! The only thing I did different was I added 2 cups of sliced fresh mushrooms. It was a cool cloudy day on Sunday and the soup just hit the spot. We will definitly be making both recipes again!! Thanks for sharing them!
Blessings to you and yours
Curtis & Sherrie.
This soup looks absolutely nothing like mine!! I made it tonight and it turned out SUPER thick! The flour and butter mixture wasn't bubbly at all! From the moment I put the flour into the butter it started getting really thick. It was looking more like polenta then a creamy sauce. I thought that it would eventually thin out, but it didn't! Now my soup looks like pilaf, or the condensed soup you buy in a can from the store! I was so disappointed!!
(Don't worry, I will still end up eating the entire pot because its actually pretty freaking good…)
This sounds amazing and I can't wait to make it. Just as a response to a previous comment — if you are concerned about calories, you can shave some off by using fat free half and half. and if it doesn't seem creamy enough, add some dry coffee creamer to the hot soup. Adds creamyish without the extra liquid. I know, it sounds weird, but it works.
The flavor is amazing. But it was way too thick will be thinning it next time.
Oh, this is SO good! I read the comments first, so I added probably an extra cup or two of broth. I also added some Better Than Boullion to up the flavor since I was using homemade stock. I added chopped celery and carrots to the rice/broth mix and boiled it all together. This turned out fabulous, thank you! Definitely moving from my pinterest "to try" board to my "soups" board!
SO good! I added a couple of extra cups of broth as well as some celery and carrots to the rice/broth mixture. I added a couple of tsp of Better Than Boullion since I was using homemade stock. I used rice flour since we're gluten free and it took a bit of whisking to get smooth, but turned out fabulous. Thank you!
I tried this and wow the roux was like play dough! Are the measurements for the flour, broth and half and half correct? It tasted good but it was like a thick stew when it was done and I added a lot more broth. Would love to make it again with the correct measurements. Thanks for sharing.
I've been surfing online greater than three hours these days, yet I by no means found any interesting article like yours. It is lovely value sufficient for me. In my view, if all site owners and bloggers made good content material as you probably did, the net can be a lot more useful than ever before.
my site – Life insurance quote
Hаve you evеr thought about іncluding
а little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you ѕay is valuable and all.
However just imagine if you addеԁ some gгeat рhοtoѕ or videо clips to give your pοsts more, "pop"!
Your content is еxcellеnt but with pics and cliρs, this
blog cоuld ceгtainly be оne of thе bеst
in itѕ niсhе. Greаt blοg!
Mу site … raspberry ketones
Chicken bacon and wild rice soup~ I made a double batch today for a group of friends and am amazed at how delicious it is. Thank you for sharing.
Chicken bacon and wild rice soup~ I made a double batch today for a group of friends and am amazed at how delicious it is. Thank you for sharing.
Love the soup. I used only 1/4 C of flour and it turned out great.
Pimiento?? Sherry?? Did I miss something?? Coz I see neither mentioned in either the Ingredients, nor in the Directions…?? I do think Curtis' idea of adding mushrooms is an excellent one, but only because we REALLY like mushrooms!! Have not really cooked with sherry much, so…
I found this on Pinterest and just made it tonight. It was great. My picky 4 and 5-year-olds both loved it as well. It did come out super thick though, so I added an extra can of broth! Will definitely be making this again.
Made this soup yesterday, turned out really well, i did make some changes as i went though.
I used a box of Uncle Bens wild and long grain rice mix instead of just regular wild rice. I couldn't make myself buy the expensive stuff, but it turned out really well. I picked out most of the seasoning, but i think it was complimentary anyway.
I used a 30 oz box of chicken broth instead of the multiple cans for similar cost reasons.
I also used less flour, i would say a little over 2/3 of a cup. Also added a dash extra poultry seasoning, i was worried it would taste too bland.
Im not sure how the original version would have tasted, but my adapted version was really really good!
I'll be keeping this recipe around as a great winter soup.
I made this today, and cut the flour/butter/half-and-half in half.
That made it a bit thinner, but still it was nice and creamy. I also added some sliced mushrooms. This is definitely a keeper!
The lovefest shop is blocking half the recipe ! How do I get rid of it?
I had to add more cups of chicken broth, as another reader commented as well- the amount of flour is way too much. Luckily it had extra chicken and bacon! Thank you for the recipe! It turned out delicious.
this was a such very nice blog and providing to much information on this blog.chowringhee satya niketan
Rice soup is my sweety dream. I like cooking and I very careful in choosing my kitchen devices. When purchasing a fuzzy logic rice cooker or something else, you need to know more about it. Good kitchen devices and my tasty food are ready for a half.
it is an awesome blog if anyone looking for some nice recipes and soup I just love it thank you for sharing it !!
Pintar paredes não é tão simples quanto parece. Bom seria se fosse apenas jogar a tinta, mas não é. O Morar Bem contrate nossas pintura de apartamento
This soup is delicious! It is our annual Christmas Eve soup!!! We are having a chilly day here in Kansas so am making it for our dinner tonigh. Our family just loves it!