Chicken Bacon & Wild Rice Soup

It's feeling like fall today - with temperatures barely in the 60s and the leaves are really starting to change colors. While I really love this season, there's been no transition from summer to fall. I made this soup last week when it was still warm, but I'm wishing I had made it again this weekend because it's definitely soup weather today!

The bacon adds just the right amount of flavor and saltiness and it's a lighter cream soup..not super heavy and goes perfect with a hunk of crusty bread. This is the kind of soup you make in the morning and let simmer all day and then it's ready for dinner. I would be great to start a dinner party or for lunch as leftovers!

1 quart chicken stock

2 cups water

1/2 cup uncooked wild rice, rinsed

1/2 cup finely chopped scallions

1/2 cup unsalted butter

3/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp poultry seasoning

dash of fresh ground pepper

2 cups half and half

2 cups chicken breast, cubed

8 slices of bacon, cooked until crispy and then crumbled

In a large saucepan, combine the chicken stock and water. Add the wild rice and scallions, bring to a boil and reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes or until the rice is tender. There will be liquid remaining, do not drain. 

In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Add in the flour, salt, pepper and poultry seasoning. Cook for one minute until the mixture is smooth and bubbly. Slowly add in the half and half, stirring continuously until the mixture has thickened. Add the thickened cream mixture to the rice and mix in the cubed chicken and bacon. Cook on low for at least a half an hour. The longer it cooks, the more the flavors combine and the soup thickens. 

Adapted Slightly from: My Sweet Savannah