Crack Chicken Noodle Soup
This easy Crack Chicken Noodle Soup is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender shredded chicken, hearty egg noodles, smoky bacon, and a rich, velvety broth infused with ranch seasoning and melted cheddar cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for cozy weeknight meals and customizable to fit dietary preferences.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with noodle substitution)
Proteins
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 slices bacon
Pasta
Dairy
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Liquids & Broth
Seasonings & Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh Herbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Cook the Bacon: Start by frying the bacon in a large pot until crispy, then remove and set aside on a paper towel to drain. Leave the bacon fat in the pot to add incredible flavor to the soup.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot with bacon fat, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until soft and fragrant, releasing their sweet and savory aromas that form the base of the soup.
- Add Chicken and Broth: Place the boneless chicken breasts into the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the chicken is fully cooked through, about 15 minutes.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken from the broth and shred it using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot to soak in the flavorful broth.
- Introduce Cream Cheese and Seasoning: Add the softened cream cheese and ranch seasoning to the pot, stirring until the cream cheese melts completely, creating a smooth, creamy broth.
- Cook Noodles: Pour in the egg noodles and let them cook for about 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but not mushy.
- Add Cheddar and Bacon: Mix in the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon, stirring until the cheese fully melts into the soup. This amplifies the richness and adds depth of flavor.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish the soup with chopped fresh parsley for a bright, fresh contrast and serve hot for maximum comfort.
Notes
- Don’t overcook noodles to prevent mushiness in the soup.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for a smooth and velvety texture.
- Reserve some crispy bacon for topping to add extra crunch.
- If the broth is too thick, add extra chicken broth or water to reach desired consistency.
- Always add fresh parsley or chives at the end to keep their flavor vibrant.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: crack chicken, noodle soup, creamy chicken soup, bacon soup, easy dinner, comforting soup, ranch chicken soup