Description
Comfort meets convenience in this creamy crack chicken soup, delivering a hearty bowl of pure satisfaction. Packed with tender chicken, rich flavors, and simple ingredients, you’ll savor every spoonful of this irresistible one-pot wonder.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 cup (120g) shredded cheddar cheese
Dairy and Cream Base:
- 1 (8 ounces/225g) block cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups (1 liter) chicken broth
- 1 cup baby spinach or kale (optional, for extra greens)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Extra shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Render the bacon in a spacious pot over medium heat until it transforms into crispy golden bits. Extract the bacon with a perforated utensil, preserving approximately one tablespoon of rendered fat within the cooking vessel.
- Infuse the remaining bacon fat with a touch of olive oil, then introduce diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté these aromatics until they become translucent and release their fragrant essence.
- Cascade chicken broth into the pot and submerge whole chicken pieces. Allow the liquid to reach a vigorous boil, then reduce the temperature to a gentle simmer. Cover and let the chicken poach until it becomes fork-tender and fully cooked.
- Transfer the cooked chicken onto a cutting board and methodically shred the meat using two forks. Return the pulled chicken back into the simmering broth.
- Incorporate cream cheese, whisking continuously until it dissolves completely into a silky texture. Pour in heavy cream and blend thoroughly. Sprinkle shredded cheddar, ranch seasoning, and smoked paprika into the mixture.
- Introduce chopped spinach or kale, stirring until the greens wilt and the cheese melts seamlessly. Season with salt and pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
- Allow the soup to gently simmer for an additional few minutes, enabling the ingredients to harmonize. Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with reserved crispy bacon, fresh parsley, and an extra sprinkle of cheddar cheese.
Notes
- Customize bacon texture by cooking longer for extra crispiness or shorter for a softer bite, ensuring maximum flavor without burning.
- Choose chicken thighs for richer taste and more tender meat compared to chicken breasts, which can dry out more easily during cooking.
- Enhance dairy-free version by replacing cream cheese and heavy cream with coconut milk and nutritional yeast for similar creamy consistency and tangy flavor.
- Reduce sodium content by using low-sodium chicken broth and selecting a reduced-sodium ranch seasoning mix to control salt levels without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 466
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg