The Store-Bought Panera Bread Soup That's Lackluster In More Ways Than One - Tasting Table

"First and foremost, Panera's Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup deeply lacked in flavor. The promised creamy texture was certainly present - but there wasn't much to back it up. The problems didn't end there either. While the chicken added some nice contrast, it was equally flavorless, and though they were able to locate some grains of the wild rice amidst the creamy base, they reported that the texture was much firmer than one hopes for in a soup."

"Yes, some bite is nice - mushy rice only belongs in a classic congee recipe - but too-firm grains floating in a silky soup is not a great combination. Despite these profound negatives, however, our taste tester was clear in their assessment that they didn't necessarily dislike any of the store-boughht Panera soup offerings. Even the lowest ranked, Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice was passable - it's just not one they'd pick up again."

The store-bought Panera Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup exhibits a creamy base but lacks flavor. Chicken pieces are present yet largely flavorless. Wild rice grains are noticeably firmer than expected, creating an unpleasant contrast with the silky soup. Many consumers report hard, undercooked rice and insufficient seasoning. The texture issue—too-firm rice floating in a smooth broth—reduces overall enjoyment. Despite these shortcomings, the product remains passable for some shoppers, though it rarely motivates repeat purchases. Suggestions for improvement imply better rice cooking and stronger seasoning to deliver the restaurant-like experience.

Read at Tasting Table