Description
Crack chicken soup blends shredded chicken, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning into a comforting one-pot meal. Rich flavors and simple ingredients make this hearty dish a quick weeknight favorite for home cooks who crave something satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 (8 oz/225g) block cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 cup (120g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 cups (1 l) chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 2 tbsps ranch seasoning mix
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 cup baby spinach or kale (optional, for extra greens)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Extra shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in a large pot, achieving a golden-brown hue. Transfer crackling pieces to a side plate, reserving approximately one tablespoon of rendered fat.
- Aromatic Foundation: Introduce olive oil or butter to the bacon drippings. Sauté diced onions and minced garlic until they become translucent and release their fragrant essence.
- Chicken Poaching: Submerge whole chicken pieces in chicken broth. Bring to a robust boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Remove chicken and meticulously shred using two forks, then return the tender meat to the simmering liquid.
- Creamy Transformation: Whisk cream cheese into the broth until smooth, creating a silky base. Pour in heavy cream to elevate the soup’s luxurious consistency. Integrate shredded cheddar, ranch seasoning, smoked paprika, and leafy greens, stirring until cheese melts and vegetables soften.
- Flavor Refinement: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Allow the soup to simmer briefly, enabling flavors to meld and intensify.
- Serving Flourish: Ladle the creamy soup into serving bowls. Garnish with reserved crispy bacon fragments, freshly chopped parsley, and an additional sprinkle of cheese. Serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Optimize Bacon Crispiness: Render bacon slowly over medium-low heat to achieve maximum crunchiness without burning, ensuring golden-brown texture and rich flavor throughout the soup.
- Balance Cream Base Smoothness: Soften cream cheese at room temperature before whisking to prevent lumps, creating a silky-smooth consistency that integrates perfectly with other ingredients.
- Control Soup Thickness: Adjust liquid content by adding extra broth or simmering longer to reach desired soup density, preventing overly thick or thin textures.
- Enhance Protein Tenderness: Poach chicken gently and avoid overcooking to maintain succulent, easily shredded meat that remains moist and flavorful within the creamy soup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 487
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1020 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 142 mg