Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Craving Panera’s famous Chicken and Wild Rice Soup? Now you can make it at home with this easy and delicious copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup recipe. Warm, creamy, and full of flavor, it’s the perfect comfort food for any cozy night in.

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Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Now that soup season is officially in full swing, I have been adding so many varieties to our weekly meal plan. This copycat Panera chicken wild rice soup is definitely a favorite we make often due to how easy it is to prepare! Loaded with easy ingredients, I almost always have everything needed already on hand! Not only does this copycat recipe allow you to control each amount of ingredient added, but it is made at a fraction of the cost fitting into any budget! Serve with some warm bread or a tasty panini and you have a meal everyone will enjoy!

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What is in Copycat Panera Bread Chicken and Wild Rice Soup?

This creamy soup consists of savory chicken broth, shredded chicken, wild rice, and lots of fresh vegetables. However, the ingredient that really enhances the flavor and brings this to the next level is Rice a Roni, long grain and wild rice. You will use the seasoning packet and rice in this and the flavor it brings is incredible. You can find this at your local grocery store near the rice and pasta products.

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Panera Bread Copycat Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Ingredient Notes

Below is a brief overview of each ingredient needed to make this recipe.

• Celery– freshly chopped into smaller pieces
• Corn– fresh, frozen, or canned works great
• Onion– I use a yellow or white onion and dice it into small pieces
• Olive Oil– you will use this to saute your vegetables
• Garlic– freshly minced is best, however, jarred works too
• Chicken Broth– any type works, I use low sodium to control the amount of salt added. Chicken stock works great too
• Water– if you want to use additional chicken broth in place of the water, that works too
• Milk– any type works, for a thicker, creamier soup, you can also use heavy whipping cream or half and half.
• Oregano/ Bay Leaf– these spices add great flavor throughout
• Chicken– you will want to add cooked chicken breasts that are shredded. Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut too.
• Flour– you will combine this with the milk to thicken the soup up perfectly. I use all purpose flour.
• Rice a Roni– look for the long grain and wild rice flavor, it will be a 4.3 ounce box
• Salt/Pepper– to taste

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Substitutions

• Feel free to increase the amount of chicken broth to use in place of the 1 cup water added to the soup. You will still need water for the flour mixture, but using broth always adds more flavor.
• Heavy Cream or Half and Half can be used in place of the milk to make the consistency a bit thicker and creamier.
• Additional vegetables can be added. Chopped carrots and/or mushrooms are great additions.
• Uncle Ben’s brand makes a wild rice that can be used if you prefer it over the Rice a Roni brand.
• If you don’t have pre-cooked chicken on hand or Rotisserie chicken, you can cook a few boneless skinless chicken breasts in the slow cooker with some broth for about 5-8 hours and shred once tender. If using the Instant Pot, add chicken breasts, 1 cup chicken broth, and some seasonings on high pressure cook for 10 minutes followed by a 5 minute natural release.
• Cornstarch can be used in place of the flour to thicken the soup up.

How to make Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

1. In a large pot (I use a Dutch Oven), add the celery, corn, onion, and olive oil.
2. Allow to saute over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until tender.
3. Add in the minced garlic, chicken broth, water, and 1 cup milk. Mix to combine.
4. Add in the pepper, oregano, bay leaf, and shredded chicken. Allow mixture to simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes.
5. In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup milk with the flour. Whisk until free of clumps.
6. Pour mixture into the soup and whisk until combined.
7. Add the box of rice, including the flavor packet, and stir well.
8. Let simmer for about 20 minutes, or until rice is tender.
9. Adjust flavor with desired amount of salt and pepper. Serve!

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Storing Panera Wild Rice Soup

• If you have leftovers, allow the soup to fully cool before moving it to an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 day. When you want to reheat, you can pour into a pot over the stove to heat through evenly or place into the microwave.
• If freezing, place in a freezer safe container up to 3 months. Allow to thaw in fridge overnight before reheating over stove or in microwave.

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Exact Ingredients

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• 1/2 cup celery, diced
• 1/2 cup corn
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 32 oz chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups milk, divided
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried Oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 lb chicken breasts, cooked/shredded
• 1/2 cup flour
• 4.3 oz box Rice a Roni, long grain and wild rice (plus seasoning packet included in box)
• salt/pepper, to taste