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The coziest bowl of Wild Rice and Orzo Chicken Soup to welcome these long, cold December nights. Made with wild rice, herbs, orzo pasta, and chicken. It’s a hearty warming meal to enjoy any night of the week. Just throw everything into the instant pot or slow cooker, set it, and walk away. Add a little browned sage butter just before serving. The browned butter takes just minutes to make but adds a wonderful layer of deliciousness to this creamy soup. Every spoonful is so delicious with a side of bread.
I don’t know how it happened so fast, but winter has officially hit us and all I have to say is brrr. Granted today was just an especially chilly, snowy day, it feels exceptionally cold out as I sit and type this cozied up inside.
Lately, I’ve been doing crazy simple recipes. Sometimes they have a mix of flavors going on. Hearty dishes from Asian cuisine, to creamy spiced Indian curries. I’m all over the place flavor-wise, but the one thing each recipe has in common? They’re all cozy.
Short cold days just put me in a cozy state of mind. I want to spend zero time on cooking dinner and all my time baking cookies. What can I say, tis’ the season!
Anyway, both my mom and I love wild rice. We would make the Uncle Ben’s wild rice blends all the time when I was growing up. And while I don’t use those ingredients when cooking now, I still love wild rice. Especially with herbs and butter. Such a cozy yet still wholesome combination.
I’ve made a few wild rice soups in the past, but never one like this. Today’s is special. It’s made with orzo pasta and golden sage butter.
Two simple additions that make all the difference.
Here is how I make this soup
Whenever I’m cooking wild rice, I almost always use the instant pot or crockpot. But usually just the instant pot since it works so fast. For whatever reason, I have a hard time with wild rice, but using the instant pot or crockpot always works so perfectly.
If you’re in a hurry though, stick with the instant pot!
Simply add almost all the ingredients – the chicken, onion, garlic, wild rice, poultry seasoning, paprika, and broth, right to the bowl of the instant pot or crockpot. You can make this on the stove too. Use the method that works for you!
Now lock the lid and set it for 12 minutes. I find this to be the perfect amount of time to cook the rice and chicken. If making this in the crockpot, cook low and slow, all day long.
Once the rice is cooked, I mix in the orzo and cook for a few minutes to allow time for the orzo to cook.
Add cream for extra creaminess.
While that’s cooking, I like to take the cloves of garlic and mix them together with the butter and sage on the stove. What happens is that the garlic gets crispy and the butter browns around both the garlic and sage.
This is so delicious and really adds a layer of freshness to a very creamy soup.
Finish the bowls of soup off with the sage butter, then parmesan, and fresh thyme.
I recommend serving this soup with a side of crusty bread. If you own the HBH Super Simple cookbook, there’s an easy, no-knead bread recipe that’s perfect to pair with this soup.
If you’re planning to enjoy this soup leftover, the rice and orzo will soak up all the broth. The taste is still incredible, but you will no longer have soup, you’ll have super creamy rice. You can either warm the rice and enjoy it as is or just add a little broth to make the rice and chicken soupy again.
Hope you all enjoy!
Looking for other winter meals? Here are a few ideas:
Crockpot Herb Butter Chicken and Wild Rice
Sweet Potato Cheddar Pierogi with Bacon Bits
Mustard Herb Chicken and Creamy Orzo
Crockpot Crispy Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Jalapeño Ranch
Lastly, if you make this Cozy Wild Rice and Orzo Chicken Soup, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Cozy Wild Rice and Orzo Chicken Soup
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 528 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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Ingredients
- 3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 4 whole cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 cup dry wild rice blend
- 1 1/2 cups carrots, chopped
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 rounded tablespoon poultry seasoning (see note)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach or kale
- 3/4 cup dry orzo pasta
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 8 fresh sage leaves
- shaved parmesan, for serving
Instructions
Instant Pot
- 1. In the bowl of your instant pot, combine the chicken, onion, garlic, wild rice, carrots, celery, poultry seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour over the broth and add 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes. Quick release the steam.2. Switch the instant pot to sauté. Remove the garlic cloves and set aside. Shred the chicken with 2 forks. Stir in the spinach and orzo. Cover and cook 6-8 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente. Stir in the cream and parsley. If the soup needs more liquid, add additional water. 3. Add the butter, garlic, and sage to a skillet set over medium heat. Mash the garlic into the butter, allowing the butter to brown and some of the garlic to get crispy. Remove from the heat.4. Ladle the soup into bowls and spoon over the sage butter. Top with parmesan and parsley. Enjoy!
Crockpot
- 1. In the bowl of your slow cooker, combine the chicken, onion, garlic, wild rice, carrots, celery, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour over the broth and add 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. 2. Crank the heat on the slow cooker to high. Remove the garlic cloves and set aside. Shred the chicken with 2 forks. Stir in the spinach and orzo. Cover and cook 20-30 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente. Stir in the cream and parsley. If the soup needs more liquid, add additional water. 3. Add the butter, garlic, and sage to a skillet set over medium heat. Mash the garlic into the butter, allowing the butter to brown and some of the garlic to get crispy. Remove from the heat.4. Ladle the soup into bowls and spoon over the sage butter. Top with parmesan and parsley. Enjoy!
Stove
- 1. In a large soup pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until fragrant and softened, about 5 minutes. Pour over the broth. Add the chicken and wild rice, and season with salt and pepper. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, cover and reduce the heat to low, cook 35-45 minutes, until the rice is tender.2. Remove the garlic cloves and set aside. Shred the chicken with 2 forks. Stir in the spinach and orzo. Cook another 6-8 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente. Stir in the cream and parsley. If the soup needs more liquid, add additional water. 3. Add the butter, garlic, and sage to a skillet set over medium heat. Mash the garlic into the butter, allowing the butter to brown and some of the garlic to get crispy. Remove from the heat.4. Ladle the soup into bowls and spoon over the sage butter. Top with parmesan and parsley. Enjoy!
Notes
Leftovers: If eating this leftover, the rice will soak up a good amount of liquid. It will still taste great, but if you’d like for it to be soup again, you will need to add broth. Or just eat this as deliciously flavored rice!
Poultry Seasoning: 1 tablespoon dried parsley, 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 2 teaspoons dried sage, 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon pepper. Mix to combine.
Slow Cooker: slow cookers can vary. I recommend to start checking for doneness at around 5 hours on low. If the soup gets too thick, add water to thin.
Hey! Can you make this with regular rice and another small pasta? Forgot orzo and wild rice at the store and still want to make this!
Hi Maddie,
It depends what kind of rice you use, but the cook times could vary! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
So delicious! I made it on the stove vs crockpot or instapot. So easy to make , one of our favorite soups!
Hey Jamie,
Happy Wednesday! ❄️ I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xT
Amazing soup-perfect for a rainy cold evening. I used the instant pot and followed the recipe to a T. After reading through reviews I added quite a bit of salt at the end and made sure to add a hearty sprinkle of Parmesan in each bowl-everyone loved it-I would definitely make it again
Hey Katie,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and thanks so much for trying it out! xx
If heavy cream/milk upsets your belly, what would be a good non-dairy alternative? I was wondering if coconut cream would work? Thanks!! Excited to make this today.
Hey Nicole,
Sure, you could do coconut cream here! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
I just made this on the stove top. This soup is fantastic. It is in the winter soup rotation. I am completely stuffed and all I can think about is a bowl of this soup tomorrow.
Hey Linda,
Happy Sunday!!🪷 I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you making it! xT
This soup was AMAZING! Full of flavor (I think it was the sage garlic butter that put it over the top)! The only thing missing was a hearty baguette! Wow!! And so easy to make too!
Hey Jennifer,
Happy Sunday!!🪷 I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you making it! xT
Can I make this gluten free by just eliminating the orzo?
Hi Micaleen,
You’re going to need to use something in place of the orzo like arborio rice! Let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
I made this last night in my instant pot and it is so yummy and flavourful! Everyone enjoyed it! Will definitely be making it again!
Hey Leanne,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xT
I have been following you for years and have told countless people about your site! I have tried numerous recipes and have never been disappointed in one. This soup was outstanding! Loved the sage and garlic finishing touch! You have a gift,thank you for sharing!
Hey Vanessa,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Thanks so much for your kind message and making so many recipes! xT
A family favorite. My 18 month old had thirds. We loved it!
Hey there,
Amazing!! I appreciate you making this dish and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was a winner! xT
Do you think the wild rice could be substituted for quinoa?
Hey Margaret,
I’ve not tested this, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work for you! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
I love this recipe! I did notice that paprika is left out of both the crock pot and stove top instructions so I’ve forgotten it both times. It would be helpful if that was updated. Sooo good though. 🙂
Hi Cassie,
Happy Monday!!☃️ Thanks a lot for making this recipe and sharing your review, I love to hear that it was a winner! Thanks for letting me know about the paprika, I’ll update that! xx
Delicious! Thanks for a great recipe. This will be a go to in our house.
Hey Lindsay,
I am delighted to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and appreciate you giving it a try! Have a great weekend:)
This was delicious! I couldn’t get the orzo to cook with the sauté mode on the instant pot so I transferred it to a pot on the stove and it cooked right up. Definitely will make this one again!
Hey Rachel,
Happy Friday!! I appreciate you trying this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was a hit!⛄️ xT
Absolutely delicious!
Just needed more broth.
I will make again, perfect for a cold day.
Hey Mat,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xT
Hi Tieghan,
Does the paprika go into the recipes in the slow cooker and stovetop versions? Thanks!
Hi Kim,
Yes, you are going to add the paprika in step 1:) Let me know if you have any other questions! xT
OH.MY.GAWWW….new favorite HBH recipe! I cannot say enough about how delicious this soup is. The leftovers thicken so nice and were perfect to put on top of a warm piece of fresh sourdough bread the next day. Do yourself a favor and make this tonight!
Hey Christie,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xT