Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

This hearty Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup blends tender chicken, wild rice, creamy broth, and aromatic herbs for the ultimate cozy meal.

this Recipe

There’s something special about a bowl of warm soup on a chilly day. And if you’ve ever cozied up in a Panera Bread booth with a bowl of their Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, you know exactly what I’m talking about. That creamy broth, the tender chicken, the hearty wild rice—it’s basically a hug in a bowl. But let’s be real: running to Panera every time the craving hits? Not always doable. That’s when I thought, why not bring Panera to my kitchen?

The first time I made this Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup was on a cold, drizzly Sunday. You know the kind—when all you want is something warm, something filling, and preferably something that makes your house smell like a cozy café. The result? It was so spot on that my family swore I’d grabbed takeout. (Nope—just me, my stockpot, and a lot of love.)

And here’s the kicker—it’s not even hard to make. One big pot. Simple ingredients. Big, bold flavor. Plus, you can make enough for leftovers, and honestly, it tastes even better the next day.

Why You’ll Love This Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe?

• Panera flavor, homemade love. That creamy, herby, hearty goodness—right from your own kitchen.
• One-pot magic. Fewer dishes = a happy cook.
• Meal prep dream. Make a big batch and enjoy cozy lunches all week.
• Customizable. Dairy-free? Gluten-free? Extra veggies? You can tweak it to fit you.
• It’s straight-up comfort food. Like a warm blanket in food form.

Ingredient Notes:

Let’s break it down—because yes, you probably have most of this on hand already.

• Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless, cooked, and shredded. Or go rogue and grab a rotisserie chicken—no shame here.
• Rice-A-Roni Long Grain & Wild Rice (and the seasoning packet): The shortcut that gives this soup its signature flavor.
• Carrots, Celery, & Onion: AKA, the classic “soup trio” that builds the flavor base.
• Minced Garlic: Adds that warm, garlicky depth.
• Chicken Stock: The liquid gold that makes the broth rich and savory.
• Whole Milk & Heavy Cream: Because this is creamy wild rice soup, after all.
• All-Purpose Flour: To thicken it up perfectly.
• Herbs & Seasonings: Dried oregano, black pepper, bay leaf—simple but powerful.
• Scallions: For a fresh, bright finish.
• Salt & Pepper: Always to taste. Because you know best.

How To Make Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup?

Step 1. Get Those Veggies Going

Grab your biggest soup pot and drizzle in some olive oil. Toss in diced carrots, celery, and onion. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and everything smells like cozy. (Seriously, your kitchen’s gonna smell like you’ve been cooking all day—when really, it’s only been five minutes.)

Step 2. Build the Broth

Add in the minced garlic and stir it around for about 30 seconds. Then pour in the chicken stock, water, 1 cup of milk, and ½ cup of heavy cream. Stir it all together. Add black pepper, dried oregano, and the bay leaf. Things are starting to look (and smell) real good.

Step 3. Time for Chicken

Toss in that shredded chicken—homemade, rotisserie, leftover grilled, whatever you’ve got. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes so all those flavors can mingle and get friendly.

Step 4. Thicken That Goodness

In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining milk, heavy cream, and flour until smooth. Slowly pour this into your soup pot while stirring constantly. You’ll feel it thicken right before your eyes—it’s like magic.

Step 5. Wild Rice, Baby

Add in the Rice-A-Roni (and don’t forget the seasoning packet—that’s where the flavor bomb is hiding). Let it simmer for another 20 minutes, or until the rice is perfectly cooked and tender.

Step 6. Taste, Season, Garnish, Serve

Give it a taste—need more salt? Pepper? Maybe a dash of hot sauce if you’re feeling wild? When it’s just right, ladle it into bowls and top with sliced scallions. Then dive in.

Storage Options:

• Fridge: Leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Yep, it freezes like a champ—just leave out the dairy before freezing and stir it in when you reheat.
• Reheating: Warm it gently on the stove, adding a splash of milk or broth if it’s thickened too much.

Variations and Substitutions:

• Dairy-Free: Use unsweetened coconut milk or almond milk, and skip the heavy cream.
• Gluten-Free: Swap the flour for a gluten-free alternative and use a wild rice blend without the seasoning packet.
• Bulk It Up: Throw in spinach, mushrooms, or corn for extra texture and flavor.
• Spicy Kick: A little crushed red pepper or hot sauce adds a nice zing.
• Protein Swap: Turkey, shredded pork, even tofu if you’re vegetarian. The world’s your oyster.

What to Serve with Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup?

• Crusty Bread: Perfect for dipping and soaking up that creamy broth.
• Garlic Breadsticks: Because garlic + creamy soup = a love story.
• Simple Side Salad: For a bit of crunch and freshness.
• Cranberry Walnut Salad: If you’re feeling fancy.
• Crackers: Sometimes simple is best.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Oh, absolutely. It’s a total time-saver and still tastes amazing.

Can I make this in the slow cooker?
Yep! Toss everything (except the cream, milk, and flour) into the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours. Stir in the cream/milk/flour mixture in the last 30 minutes.

Is there a way to make it less creamy?
Sure! Just use more chicken broth and less cream/milk, or swap in half-and-half.

This Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is the ultimate cozy comfort food. It’s creamy, hearty, and bursting with flavor—and it’s honestly so easy to make at home. You’ll feel like a soup wizard.

So next time you’re craving something warm and soul-soothing, skip the takeout and make this instead. And if you try it out, I need to know—drop a comment below or tag me in your pics. Let’s talk soup.

Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:

Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

Southern Fried Potatoes And Sausage Recipe

Delicious Brown Sugar-Glazed Italian Pork Chops

5 from 4 votes

Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Indulge, in the Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, a creation that beautifully combines tender chicken and the rustic allure of wild rice. With every spoonful you'll experience a blend of flavors from the broth infused with aromatic herbs to the finely diced vegetables that provide texture and richness. This isn't any soup; it's a heartwarming voyage that brings back memories of evenings and treasured moments shared around the dining table.

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Servings

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• 1 small carrot finely diced
• 1 stalk celery finely diced
• 1 large white onion finely diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 c chicken stock
• 1 c heavy cream divided
• 2 c water
• 2 c whole milk divided
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked and shredded
• 1/2 c all-purpose flour
• 1 box 4.3 ounces of Rice a Roni Long Grain and Wild Rice + seasoning packet
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Scallions for garnish

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Instructions

 

1. In a pot heat some olive oil, over medium heat. Sauté the carrot, celery and onion until the onions become tender.
2. Next add in the garlic, chicken stock, water, 1 cup of milk and 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Give everything a stir.
3. Now it's time to introduce the pepper oregano, bay leaf and shredded chicken. Let it all simmer for 15 minutes.
4. In a bowl mix together the remaining milk, cream and flour until you get a smooth mixture. Add this mixture to the pot.
5. Incorporate the Rice a Roni along with its seasoning packet into the pot. Allow it to simmer for another 20 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked.
6. Finally season, with salt and pepper according to your taste preference. To add some freshness and color to your dish garnish it with some chopped scallions before serving it warm.

Notes

For those looking to savor the comfort of our Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup without the gluten, fret not! Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or use cornstarch as a thickener. Make sure to whisk it well with cold milk to prevent lumps. Additionally, be cautious while choosing the wild rice mix—some may contain gluten or be processed in facilities with gluten products. Opt for a certified gluten-free brand. The result? A bowl filled with the same rich, comforting flavors, but tailored to suit your gluten-free lifestyle.

Audrey

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Bitty

I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!

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