Cozy Collagen-Rich Chicken and Wild Rice Soup: A Time-Saving Meal Prep Recipe

There's nothing quite like a warming bowl of homemade chicken soup, especially one that's packed with nourishing ingredients and perfect for busy families. This veggie-loaded chicken and wild rice soup makes meal prep a breeze while delivering rich flavor and wholesome nutrition. With approximately 7-8 servings, it's ideal for weekly meal planning or feeding a crowd.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter, divided
• 96 oz chicken broth (3 containers)
• 6-7 large garlic cloves
• ½ rotisserie chicken
• 3 cups diced Vidalia onion
• 2 cups sliced peeled baby carrots
• 2-3 cups diced celery
• ½-1 cup wild rice
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
• 2 sprigs rosemary (optional)
• 1 tablespoon parsley (optional)
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• 1-2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
• 1-2 tablespoons organic cornstarch or arrowroot powder
• 1-2 tablespoons cool water
• 2-⅓ cups heavy whipping cream or canned full-fat coconut milk
• 2 scoops of Needed collagen protein (optional)

Instructions

1. Begin by thoroughly washing all vegetables and herbs. Set aside.
2. Remove skin and bones from the rotisserie chicken, separating them into a bowl if you plan to make bone broth later. Pull the chicken meat into small, soup-friendly pieces and store in an airtight container.
3. Prep your vegetables: dice onions, celery, and baby carrots into small-medium pieces, keeping them separate.
4. Heat a stock pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add half the butter and sauté the onions until they begin to caramelize. Add celery and continue cooking.
5. While the vegetables cook, mince the garlic cloves and remove thyme leaves from stems. Roughly chop the thyme and set aside.
6. Rinse the wild rice according to package directions.
7. Add carrots and minced garlic to the pot, cooking until garlic becomes fragrant. Add rice and broth. Cover, maintain medium heat, and cook for approximately 45 minutes or until rice is tender.
8. Once rice is cooked, add thyme and pulled chicken.
9. Create a slurry with cornstarch/arrowroot powder, and cool water. Stir into soup to thicken.
10. Gradually stir in cream or coconut milk. Finish with remaining butter and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Pro Tips

For Extra-Rich Bone Broth

If you'd like to make use of the rotisserie bones, roast them with your favorite seasonings at 400°F for 20 minutes before using them to make bone broth. Simply cover with water in a pot and simmer. Add two scoops of Needed Collagen Powder for an additional collagen boost.

Freezing Instructions

For best results when freezing, opt for coconut milk instead of heavy cream as it maintains better consistency. When reheating, always use low heat on the stovetop for optimal texture and flavor.

This soup is not only delicious but also nutrient-rich, featuring collagen-supporting ingredients from the chicken and bone broth. It's the perfect comfort food that's both practical for meal prep and satisfying for the whole family. The combination of tender chicken, wild rice, and fresh vegetables creates a balanced meal that's both healthy and heartwarming.

*Please note that one serving of our Collagen Protein contains 15g of collagen. Collagen has 8 of 9 essential amino acids your body needs to make protein and is an excellent addition to your daily routine to support joint, hair, nail and skin health, and more. Given collagen on its own does not include the amino acid tryptophan, it does not count toward the FDA recommended Percent Daily Value for protein.