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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in a large pot over medium heat until golden. Remove bacon, reserving one tablespoon of rendered fat in the pot.
- Aromatic Foundation: Enhance bacon fat with olive oil, sautéing onions and garlic until they become translucent and release their rich fragrance.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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