Copy-Cat Panera Cream of Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Another wild rice soup! Our other one has curry and this is just creamy goodness!

INGREDIENTS

·    6cups chicken broth

·    2chicken breast halves(cooked, boneless and cubed)

·    1(6 ounce) package long grain and wild rice blend, quick cooking version (You will use the seasoning packet. I used Uncle Bens roasted chicken flavor) (best with alternative option)

·    1⁄2teaspoon ground black pepper

·    1⁄2cup all-purpose flour

·    3⁄4cup butter (12 tbsp. or a stick and a half)

·    1cup carrot, diced (double for us)

·    1cup celery, diced (double for us)

·    1cup onion, diced

·    3cups light cream (can lighten by substituting part or all of the cream with fat-free evaporated milk, or half-and-half, or 2%)

DIRECTIONS

1.      Open rice, pull out seasoning packet and set aside.

2.      In a small bowl, combine pepper and flour. Set aside.

3.      In a large pot over medium heat, combine broth and chicken. Bring to a boil, then stir in rice. Cover and remove from heat.

4.      In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add carrots, celery and onion and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in contents of seasoning packet, and continue cooking vegetables until softened, about 5 minutes more. Add seasoned flour gradually while constantly stirring, to form a roux. Saute roux for 3-4 minutes to cook out raw flour taste.

5.      Whisk in cream, a little at a time, until fully incorporated and smooth. Cook until thickened, 5 minutes.

6.      Stir cream mixture into broth and rice. Cook over medium heat until heated through and rice is done,15-20 minutes.

7.      Alternatively, for those who cannot get the quick-cooking version of the rice, I have put the broth on to boil and cooked the 25-minute version of long grain and wild rice blend according to the directions, while sauteeing the veggies in the butter. I tend to cook the veggies longer this way, and I like them quite soft. I then follow the rest of the directions above, adding the rice/broth to the cream mixture. I've also used fat-free half and half with no appreciable difference in flavor. Enjoy