Description

Copycat Panera Chicken & Wild Rice Soup delivers comforting, creamy richness in every spoonful. This stovetop version recreates Panera’s cozy flavors with tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and vegetables in a velvety broth. Perfect for chilly days, family dinners, or meal prep, it brings restaurant warmth home with easy steps, hearty texture, and soul-satisfying flavor in every bite. Make ahead and reheat for consistent, delicious results.

Ingredients

Scale

2 tbsp butter
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, chopped
½ cup cooked wild rice blend
3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp black pepper
Salt, to taste
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery and sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened.
Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir well, cooking for 1 minute.
Slowly whisk in chicken broth until smooth.
Add cooked wild rice, shredded chicken, thyme, pepper, and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Reduce heat and stir in milk and heavy cream.
Simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and creamy.
Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot.

Notes

Tip: Use leftover cooked chicken to save time.
For a gluten-free version, substitute gluten-free flour or cornstarch slurry.
To make lighter, use 2 cups broth and 1 cup milk instead of 4 cups broth and 1 cup milk.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days; reheat gently.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Soups
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 380
Sugar: 5
Sodium: 780
Fat: 26
Saturated Fat: 14
Unsaturated Fat: 8
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 24
Fiber: 2
Protein: 24
Cholesterol: 120

Keywords: Copycat Panera Chicken & Wild Rice Soup, Panera copycat, chicken wild rice soup, creamy soup, comforting soup, stovetop soup, easy soup recipe, weeknight dinner, Panera inspired