Chicken wild rice soup is the staple meal for all kinds of weather. It is deliciously good and also very satisfying. One of the perfect times to enjoy this meal is on cold days or nights. Chicken wild rice soup is soothing, filling, and healthy, as it is packed with a lot of health benefits.
With the reputation this soup recipe has, a lot of people have wondered if they can save and preserve leftover chicken wild rice soup in the freezer for a long while. While others would love to cook this meal ahead and store it in the freezer.
Whatever the case may be, it is important to find out if the chicken wild rice soup is one of those meals that can be kept in the freezer or not. This article provides you with these answers, make sure to stick around.
Is It Okay To Freeze Chicken Wild Rice Soup?
Chicken wild rice soup is one of those soothing soups that can provide your body with warmth and comfort on really cold days. It is also an ideal meal for moments when you are feeling under the weather.
Apart from the exciting flavors in this soup recipe, the fact that it is simply easy to prepare just makes it all better. However, the real question still remains; Can I freeze chicken wild rice soup?
Quick answer: Yes, you can freeze this soup recipe but there are several tips to take note of. For instance, if you want to cook it ahead, rest assured that you can freeze this meal. However, freezing leftover chicken wild soup is not recommended as the cream may become grainy and the vegetables soggy.
Chicken wild rice soup is not exactly freezer friendly but there are ways to make it work without actually sacrificing the texture and yumminess of the soup.
How To Freeze Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Freezing chicken wild rice soup must be done carefully, and just like other soup recipes, the chicken wild rice soup must be stored properly to prevent it from getting freezer-burnt and losing quality. You might also want to take note of some freezing tips for chicken wild rice soup to ensure that the soup remains intact in the freezer.
When cooking this soup recipe ahead with the intention of storing it in the freezer, it is best to;
- Exclude the cream to prevent it from getting grainy. You can add the cream while reheating the soup.
- Avoid overcooking the vegetables as they tend to get even soggier when frozen, undercooking it will help retain the firmness of the veggies.
That being said, these are the easy ways to store chicken wild rice soup in the freezer;
1. Allow Soup To Cool
Storing hot soup in the freezer is not a good idea, it can abruptly change the temperature of the freezer which can put other items in the freezer at risk of spoilage or bacterial growth. We recommend putting the pot of soup in an ice bath to speed up the cooling process, however, leaving it to cool at room temperature is still top-tier.
2. Store In Airtight Containers
Pouring or storing chicken wild rice soup in an airtight container or ziplock bag is also very important, however, we recommend that you store this meal in a ziplock freezer-safe bag as it is most preferred and occupy very limited space in the freezer.
Chicken wild rice soup will need space to expand in the process of freezing, you must ensure that the container or bag isn’t overfilled.
Do not forget to store this meal in portions to prevent reheating and refreezing the soup as this can affect the texture of the soup.
It is best to also label or tag the container or freezer-safe bag with the name of the soup as well as the storage date just in case you forget.
3. Arrange In The Freezer
This is the easiest part of freezing chicken wild rice soup, simply just arrange the containers or bags in the freezer. Make sure that you get out the excess air if you used ziplock bags to store the soup. Usually, it is best to lay ziplock bags flat to help the meal defrost faster.
Shelf Life Of Chicken Wild Rice Soup In The Freezer
The major point of storing any meal in the freezer is prolonging its shelf life. Chicken wild rice soup can as well have a prolonged shelf life in the freezer. This soup recipe can last in the freezer for as long as 3-4 months if stored properly.
However, it is not advisable to leave your soup in the freezer for that long, if possible it is best to consume this meal within a month as the flavor and texture of the meal are sure to still be intact within this timeframe.
Simple Ways To Reheat Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Reheating chicken wild rice soup can be a little bit tricky but with these reheating tips you will surely be on track;
- If you intend to reheat chicken wild rice soup, always ensure to thaw it overnight.
- Make sure to reheat this meal on low heat, especially for leftover chicken wild rice soup with cream. Reheating on low heat ensures that cream will adequately incorporate into the soup.
- For chicken wild rice soup without cream, slowly add the cream and stir continuously while the soup is boiling.
If you are wondering what reheating method you can adopt for chicken wild rice soup, the following are 3 major ways to reheat your soup;
1. StoveTop
The stovetop is a traditional way of reheating chicken wild rice soup, make sure to put the heat on low heat in order to give the cream enough time to incorporate into the soup. If need be you can add more fresh cream to the soup.
2. Microwave
This method comes with ease, however, you have to ensure to use microwaveable containers or plates. Microwave at 20-30 seconds intervals and stir after each circle. Depending on what you want, you can also add fresh cream to the soup.
3. Slow Cooker Or Crockpot
Putting your slow cooker on low heat can help bring chicken wild rice soup to the right and ideal consistency. Leave to reheat for some minutes and do not forget to constantly stir the soup to prevent it from getting burnt at the bottom.
Final Note
Chicken wild rice soup is freezable but it is best to know that the cream may end up getting grainy and vegetables soggy if extra care is not taken.
The best way to ensure that this medal stays intact in the freezer is by leaving out the cream then add it when reheating the soup and also undercooking the vegetables.
This article recommends that chicken wild rice soup should be thawed in the refrigerator overnight before reheating it.
