Dreamy Creamy Crack Chicken Soup Recipe for Pure Comfort

Comfort cascades through every spoonful of this crack chicken soup, a hearty dish that warms from the inside out.

Rich, velvety broth cradles tender chicken pieces in a luxurious embrace.

The simple ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Loaded with creamy goodness and subtle spices, this soup promises to become a weeknight favorite.

Each bite tells a story of home-cooked warmth and satisfaction.

Dive into this soul-soothing recipe that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 540 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients Used In Creamy Crack Chicken Soup

• Bacon: Adds smoky depth and crispy texture, choose thick-cut for maximum flavor crunch.
• Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Select fresh, high-quality cuts for tender, juicy meat that absorbs surrounding flavors perfectly.

• Onion: Provides sweet, foundational base note that enhances overall soup complexity.
• Garlic: Delivers robust, pungent undertone that elevates the entire dish's taste profile.
• Ranch Seasoning: Brings zesty, herbal kick that transforms ordinary soup into extraordinary comfort food.
• Smoked Paprika: Introduces subtle smokiness and warm color to the soup's character.

• Olive Oil or Butter: Creates rich cooking foundation and prevents sticking.
• Chicken Broth: Builds liquid base with savory depth, select low-sodium for better control.
• Cream Cheese: Delivers luxurious, velvety texture and tangy undertone.
• Heavy Cream: Ensures silky smooth consistency and adds decadent richness.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, contributing sharp, sharp flavor and creamy texture.
• Spinach or Kale: Introduces nutrient-packed greenery, lending color and subtle earthiness.

• Parsley: Provides fresh, bright finishing touch with clean herbal notes.

Cooking Tools For Creamy Crack Chicken Soup

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for cooking bacon, sautéing aromatics, and preparing the entire soup base.
• Slotted Spoon: Perfect for removing crispy bacon from the pot without excess grease.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping bacon, onions, and garlic.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise ingredient preparation.
• Forks: Ideal for shredding cooked chicken quickly and easily.
• Whisk: Great for smoothly blending cream cheese and creating a silky soup texture.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for adding precise amounts of seasonings.
• Ladle: Excellent for serving the soup into individual bowls.

Steps To Make Creamy Crack Chicken Soup

• Bacon Prep

Crisp up bacon in a large pot until golden and crunchy. Pull out the bacon pieces, leaving behind those delicious drippings for extra flavor.

• Aromatic Foundation

Sizzle onions and garlic in the bacon fat, creating a rich base that’ll make your kitchen smell amazing. Let them dance around until they’re soft and fragrant.

• Chicken Comfort

Drop chicken into the pot with broth, letting it simmer gently until perfectly tender. Shred the meat into soft, juicy pieces that’ll melt in your mouth.

• Creamy Magic

Blend in cream cheese and cream, whisking until silky smooth. Sprinkle in ranch seasoning and a hint of smoky paprika. Toss in some leafy greens for a pop of color and nutrition.

• Final Flourish

Give the soup a quick taste, adjusting seasonings to your liking. Ladle into warm bowls, crown with crispy bacon bits, and shower with fresh herbs. Enjoy your soul-warming creation!

Tips To Improve Creamy Crack Chicken Soup

• Low-Carb Swap: Replace potatoes with cauliflower rice or chopped cauliflower for a keto-friendly version that keeps the creamy texture without adding extra carbohydrates.
• Protein Power Boost: Use rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken to cut down cooking time, or swap chicken with turkey or shredded rotisserie turkey for a different protein profile.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Substitute dairy ingredients with coconut cream, nutritional yeast, and dairy-free cream cheese alternatives to make the soup suitable for lactose-intolerant or vegan diners.
• Spice Adventure: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for a spicy kick, or stir in chipotle powder for a smoky heat that transforms the soup's flavor profile without overwhelming the creamy base.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat gently, stirring occasionally to maintain the smooth, creamy consistency.

Serving Creamy Crack Chicken Soup Suggestions

• Cozy Comfort Bowl: Serve this hearty soup in deep ceramic bowls to keep it warm and inviting, perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a soul-warming meal.
• Protein Power Lunch: Pack the soup in a thermos for a filling midday meal at work or school, ensuring you stay energized and satisfied throughout the day.
• Bread Buddy Pairing: Accompany the soup with crispy garlic bread, toasted sourdough, or cheesy croutons to add delightful crunch and soak up the rich, creamy broth.
• Movie Night Feast: Transform your soup into a movie marathon companion by serving in oversized mugs, adding extra bacon bits, and enjoying with soft blankets and your favorite film.

How To Store Creamy Crack Chicken Soup

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep this delightful soup in an airtight container for 35 days, ensuring maximum flavor and safety. Cold temperatures help maintain the creamy texture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezer Friendly Technique: Carefully transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight expansion room. Freeze up to 3 months for quick future meals. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before gently reheating.
• Smart Reheating Strategy: Warm soup slowly on stovetop, stirring occasionally to restore creamy consistency. Add splash of chicken broth if soup seems too thick after refrigeration. Avoid microwave to prevent cheese separation.
• Portioning Power: Divide soup into individual meal-sized containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Label containers with date and contents for organized meal planning. Perfect for busy professionals and meal preppers seeking convenient, nutritious options.

Hearty Crack Chicken Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired creamy crack chicken soup delivers comfort in a bowl. Spicy, cheesy goodness combines with tender chicken for an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 cup (120 g) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 (8 oz/225 g) block cream cheese, softened and cubed
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
• 4 cups (1 L) chicken broth
• 2 tbsps ranch seasoning mix
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1 cup baby spinach or kale (optional, for extra greens)
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Extra shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

1. Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in a large pot over medium heat until golden. Remove bacon, reserving one tablespoon of rendered fat in the pot.
2. Aromatic Foundation: Enhance bacon fat with olive oil, sautéing onions and garlic until they become translucent and release their rich fragrance.
3. Chicken Poaching: Pour chicken broth into the pot, add whole chicken pieces. Bring to a robust boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until chicken is thoroughly tender.
4. Protein Integration: Shred the cooked chicken on a cutting board, then return it to the simmering broth. Incorporate cream cheese, whisking until smooth and fully dissolved.
5. Flavor Enrichment: Stream in heavy cream, blending thoroughly. Add cheddar cheese, ranch seasoning, and smoked paprika. Fold in chopped spinach or kale, allowing greens to wilt and cheese to melt completely.
6. Final Refinement: Simmer the soup for an additional few minutes to meld flavors. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve in warm bowls, crowned with crispy bacon bits, fresh parsley, and an extra sprinkle of cheddar cheese.

Notes

• Optimize Bacon Crispiness: Slowly render bacon at medium-low heat to achieve maximum crunchiness without burning, ensuring each piece develops a perfect golden-brown texture.
• Control Chicken Tenderness: Poach chicken gently by maintaining a low simmer, preventing tough or rubbery meat and preserving moisture for a melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
• Balance Cream Incorporation: Gradually whisk cream cheese and heavy cream at low heat to prevent curdling, creating a smooth, velvety soup base without unwanted texture separation.
• Customize Dietary Adaptations: Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lighter versions, use turkey bacon for reduced fat, or replace chicken with plant-based protein for vegetarian alternatives.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 880mg
• Fat: 42g
• Saturated Fat: 20g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 36g
• Cholesterol: 150mg