Serve up a bowl of this hearty and flavorful crack chicken soup. Tender shredded chicken, bacon, a mix of veggies, cheese, ranch flavoring, cream cheese, green onions, and more. This is a flavor-packed chicken crack soup that will soothe the soul.
While this soup is ultra flavorful it is low carb and keto friendly which makes it a great soup to whip up for grab-and-go lunches, meal prep, and easy weeknight dinners where you are craving comfort without the carbs.
If you are a lover of the crack chicken flavor, then you have to try my crack chicken sliders! Or for a low-carb option try my crack chicken smothered chicken, it is a game changer for that weeknight chicken.
What is Crack Chicken Soup?
Crack chicken soup is a chicken soup that is paired with ranch seasoning, chicken, bacon, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese. This flavor duo is so delicious and known to be addictive, hence the name. This flavorful and addicting soup is one recipe you can make all year round.
Why You Will Love This Soup Recipe
- A hearty soup that is loaded with flavor and protein to leave you feeling full and satisfied.
- This is a low-carb and keto-friendly soup that is great for those who are living a lower-carb lifestyle.
- Kids and adults both enjoy this flavorful chicken soup.
- You can meal prep this soup or whip it up for dinner for a tasty dish the whole family can enjoy.
- Easy everyday ingredients are needed for this soup.
Ingredients Needed For Soup
Bacon: The bacon adds that smoky and salty flavor to the soup that gives it that richness you know and love in a crack chicken recipe.
Chicken: You will use boneless chicken that you will shred or chop up for this recipe.
Butter: Reach for real butter that you will saute the vegetables in. This is going to deepen the flavor of the vegetables and add a rich flavor to the soup.
Vegetables: Onion, celery, carrots, and garlic are all you will use for flavoring the soup. This will add fresh and flavorful enhancement to the soup.
Broth: For the base, you will use chicken broth to add even more flavor to your soup.
Dry Ranch Seasoning: You will use the mix of spices and herbs to give this soup that incredible flavoring you know and love.
Spices: Black pepper, and parsley, are added spices that will give even more flavor to the soup.
Dairy Products: Sour cream, cream cheese, and shredded cheese are all added to create a cheesy and creamy base for the soup.
Spinach: This is going to add an earthy flavor to the soup, that will add freshness and flavor.
Green Onions: Slice up some onions and sprinkle on top of the soup for a gorgeous presentation value.
Variations To Recipe
Vegetarian Option: Leave out the bacon and the chicken, and reach for a vegetable broth. Then add additional veggies for added flavor. Mushrooms, zucchini, or even white beans add more flavor and texture to replace the meat.
Spice it Up: Want to add some spice? Slice up a jalapeno, cayenne, red pepper flakes, or even hot sauce to add more spice flavor to the soup.
Potato Soup: Dice up some potatoes to add to the soup, this is going to give you a loaded potato soup vibe. I do recommend peeling and dicing potatoes smaller in size.
Slow Cooker: Want to make in the slow cooker? Add ingredients all but cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar cheese. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. If your chicken is fully cooked, you can do low 4-6 hours. Then the last 30 minutes add in the sour cream, spinach, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese. Mix and let cook to combine.
Tips For Success
Fully Cook Bacon
Make sure the bacon is crispy and fully cooked. Then chop or break up into pieces to mix in soup and additional for topping.
Saute Vegetables
It is a must to saute the onions, garlic, celery, etc. If you do not do this, your soup will lack a lot of flavor. Tenderizing the vegetables helps with the texture but also really brings out the mellow and incredible flavor of the vegetables.
Don’t Overcook
Make sure to not overcook your soup, as it can affect the texture. Once you are close to done, just stir and once the dairy is melted in and the meats are fully cooked and ready, then ladle up and serve.
Add Spinach At The End
Don’t add in the spinach till the end of cooking. You just want to wilt the soup just a bit and not overcook it. If you overcook it will make it ultra mushy, and that is not as appealing.
Storing
Refrigerate: Refrigerate the soup you do not plan to eat right away. Just place in airtight containers for 3-4 days. Keep the soup chilled until you are ready to eat.
Freezing: If you want to extend the shelf life you can freeze it in a freezer container or freezer-safe bag. Just leave space for the soup to expand as it freezes. The soup will freeze for 2-4 months.
Defrost: If you freeze your soup simply store it in the fridge overnight for a slow thaw. Or you can warm it up in the microwave on the defrost setting.
Reheating: Warm it up in the microwave, or on the stovetop. Feel free to warm up the soup as you would like. Once it is warmed through serve and top with additional bacon, green onions, extra cheese, etc.
What to Serve With Crack Soup
This soup is easily a meal in one. But if you want to change up what to serve with it, consider breadsticks, homemade bread, dinner rolls, salad, or even soup with a half sandwich. This is a versatile soup and you can essentially serve it with any of your favorite sides.
I love making bread and then dipping it in the soup for that creaminess on the roll when you go to eat it.
FAQs
Can I make Crack Chicken Soup ahead of time?
Go right ahead and make this soup a day ahead of when you plan to serve it up. Just whip it up and store it in the fridge until you are ready. Then heat it on low, stirring occasionally. You will find it will burn on the bottom if you do not stir. I do also recommend leaving out the spinach until you are close to serving for the best texture.
Does this recipe double?
Feel free to reach for a larger pot to cook up the soup for a larger batch. This is a great soup that can be made to serve up a crowd for sure.
Craving More Soups
Crack chicken soup
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked bacon diced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 onion diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 2 large carrots diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 package dry ranch seasoning/dressing
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 teaspoons parsley
- 4 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup sour cream
- 8 oz cream cheese cubed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese more for garish, optional ● 2 cups baby spinach
- Green onion chopped for garnish optional
- Extra chopped bacon for garnish optional
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat add butter, onion, celery and carrots. Cook the vegetables until they are softened, 10-15 minutes. Add your garlic and saute for about 1 minute.
- Add the chicken broth, ranch packet, pepper, parsley, shredded chicken, sour cream, cream cheese, and cooked bacon. Cook and stir constantly until the cream cheese has completely melted into the soup.
- Add the cheddar cheese and spinach. Cook until the spinach has wilted and the cheese is melted.
- Garnish with additional cheese, chopped bacon and chopped green onions. Serve and enjoy!
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