CREAM OF CHICKEN AND WILD RICE SOUP

It is one of the several soups I love from Panera Bread. This and the Broccoli Cheddar are nice, hearty, full meal soups from Panera. Paired with a nice big slice of garlic bread and you are set on a Winter’s night. Afterall…it is soup season!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 large bone in chicken breast (boneless will work too)

• Olive oil

• Kosher salt and black pepper

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided

• 1/2 cup finely diced shallots or onions

• 2 small garlic cloves, peeled and minced

• 1 cup of celery, thin sliced

• 1 cup white mushrooms, thin sliced

• 1 cup carrots, thin coins

• 1 fresh thyme sprig

• 1 bay leaf

• 3 cups low sodium chicken stock or broth

• 1/2 cup dry sherry

• 1/4 tsp lemon zest

• 1/2 tsp Worcestershire

• 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

• 1/2 cup cream

• 3 tbsp flour

• 1/2 cup wild rice blend

• Chopped parsley

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat the chicken breast with olive oil then season with salt and pepper. Place in a small baking dish and roast in the oven until the internal temperature is 165 degrees, about 30-40 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temprature. When cooled, remove the skin then slice the chicken into 1/2 inch cubes. Set aside.

• Place a medium saucepan over medium low heat and add 1 tbsp of olive oil and 1 tbsp of butter. Add the shallots and celery and saute until the vegetables are translucent, 5-6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook another 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper.

• Add the carrots, thyme sprig, sherry, and stock and bring to a simmer. Lower the heat, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.

• Cook the wild rice blend in about 2 cups of water until done, about 30 minutes. Drain and set aside. You should have about 1 cup of cooked rice. Add the rice and cream to the soup.

• Place 3 tbsp of butter in a small saucepan and add 3 tbsp of flour. Cook this roux for about 1 minute. Bring the soup to a simmer and add the roux. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes to thicken. Add the cooked diced chicken and heat through another 2-3 minutes.

• Taste and reseason if necessary.