Description
Best Crack Soup is the kind of easy dinner I make when I want something warm, creamy, and seriously comforting. This quick soup is packed with tender chicken, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, pasta, and vegetables in a rich ranch-seasoned broth, making it one of my favorite comfort food ideas for busy weeknights, cozy family dinners, and easy recipe nights.
Ingredients
6 slices bacon
2 tablespoons butter
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups whole milk
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 packet ranch seasoning mix
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
6 ounces thin spaghetti, broken into pieces
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Cook the bacon in a large pot over medium heat until crisp, then transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate and crumble it once cooled.
2. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings in the pot, add the butter, then cook the onion, carrots, and celery for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
4. Sprinkle in the flour and stir well for 1 minute to coat the vegetables and remove the raw flour taste.
5. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring, then add the milk, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning mix.
6. Stir until the cream cheese melts and the broth becomes smooth.
7. Add the shredded chicken and broken spaghetti, then simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the pasta is tender.
8. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar cheese until melted.
9. Add most of the crumbled bacon and the black pepper, then stir well.
10. Ladle into bowls and top with the remaining bacon and chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
Do not boil the soup after adding the cheese, or the broth can turn grainy instead of smooth and creamy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1180mg
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: best crack soup, creamy chicken soup, easy dinner, comfort food, quick soup, family dinner, cheesy soup, bacon chicken soup