Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice
Try this Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice recipe, or contribute your own.
Try this Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice recipe, or contribute your own.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 2 cups fat free half and half
- 4 cups (32 oz) less sodium fat free chicken broth
- 1 lb raw boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (6 oz) box of long grain and wild rice (i used unc do not prepare
- 1 cup sliced or diced carrots
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) light butter (i used land o'
- Carbohydrate 11.5961123333333 g
- Cholesterol 2.24 mg
- Fat 0.630850666666667 g
- Fiber 0.0333833337386449 g
- Protein 1.179085 g
- Saturated Fat 0.377710666666667 g
- Serving Size 1 1 (1 cup) serving (147g)
- Sodium 67.7782666682695 mg
- Sugar 11.5627289995947 g
- Trans Fat 0.0554256666666667 g
- Calories 56 calories
Step-by-step
- Bring the water and chicken broth to a boil in a large pot or dutch oven.
- Add the chicken, rice (with seasoning packet), carrots and celery and reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cover the pot and simmer for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and easy to shred.
- Remove the cooked chicken breasts to a plate and shred with two forks.
- Replace the lid and continue to simmer the rest.
- Mix together the flour, salt and pepper in a bowl until combined.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Stir in flour a spoonful at a time to make a roux.
- Pour the half and half in a little at a time, stirring continuously with a whisk to allow the roux to combine with the cream.
- Continue whisking and adding half and half until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add the shredded chicken and the cream mixture back into the soup pot and stir to combine.
- Bring back to a simmer and simmer for 5-10 minutes to allow soup to thicken and flavors to combine.
Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice: A Weeknight Winner
As a busy working mom, finding time to cook healthy and delicious meals can feel like a Herculean task. But I've discovered that even on the busiest of days, a hearty and flavorful dinner doesn't have to be complicated. This Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice recipe is my go-to when I need a comforting meal that's quick to prepare and satisfying to eat. The blend of tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and a luscious creamy sauce is a perfect balance of textures and flavors, something the entire family enjoys. It’s a dish that screams comfort food, but without the extra work or guilt often associated with it.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. It’s all about building layers of flavor without unnecessary fuss. Starting with a flavorful base of chicken broth and water, I add in the chicken, wild rice, carrots, and celery. The rice provides a pleasant nutty earthiness, and the carrots and celery add a touch of sweetness and crunch. The slow simmering process allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, creating a depth of taste that you wouldn't expect from such a straightforward recipe. While the chicken simmers, I whip up a simple roux, which is essentially a mixture of flour and butter. This forms the base of the creamy sauce, which then gets enriched with fat-free half-and-half. The result is a luxuriously smooth and creamy sauce that's surprisingly light, a perfect complement to the hearty chicken and rice.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is its versatility. Feel free to experiment with different vegetables; broccoli florets, peas, or even spinach would be delicious additions. You could also use different types of rice, although I prefer the nuttiness of wild rice. The key is to find a balance of textures and flavors that work for your taste. The chicken itself can be swapped out for turkey or even shredded rotisserie chicken for an even quicker meal. This makes it a perfect weeknight meal, easily adapted to suit your needs and preferences. The leftovers are equally delicious, making it a great option for meal prepping.
Beyond the Recipe: Comfort on a Plate
This dish isn’t just about the ingredients or the method; it's about the feeling of coming home to a warm, inviting meal. It's about the satisfaction of creating something nourishing and delicious for your family, even when time is tight. It’s the perfect antidote to a long day, a way to unwind and reconnect with those you love over a shared meal.
The comforting aroma of simmering chicken and rice fills the kitchen, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The process of cooking itself is therapeutic, a time to de-stress and focus on something positive. And ultimately, the shared meal is a celebration of family, connection, and the simple pleasures of life. This recipe is a testament to that: a simple yet satisfying meal that nourishes both the body and the soul. It's a recipe that I’ll continue to turn to for years to come – a weeknight staple that never fails to bring a smile to my face, and to the faces of my family.
So next time you’re short on time but craving a comforting and delicious dinner, give this Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice recipe a try. It’s a weeknight winner that's sure to become a regular in your kitchen rotation.
