Crack Chicken Soup is a creamy and flavorful dish inspired by the popular “crack chicken” recipe, which typically features chicken cooked with cream cheese, bacon, and ranch seasoning. Here’s a simple recipe to make Crack Chicken Soup:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 6 slices bacon, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh chives or green onions, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Cook the Bacon and Chicken:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the cooked bacon from the pot and set it aside, leaving the rendered bacon fat in the pot.
- Add the diced chicken to the pot with the bacon fat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook the chicken until it is browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the pot and set it aside with the cooked bacon.
- Saute the Onion and Garlic:
- In the same pot, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Make the Soup Base:
- Return the cooked bacon and chicken to the pot with the sautéed onion and garlic.
- Pour in the chicken broth and water, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
- Add the Cream Cheese and Ranch Seasoning:
- Cut the softened cream cheese into cubes and add it to the pot. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and incorporated into the soup.
- Sprinkle the ranch seasoning mix over the soup and stir until well combined.
- Simmer the Soup:
- Let the soup simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld and the soup to thicken slightly.
- Finish the Soup:
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and heavy cream until the cheese is melted and the soup is creamy.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve:
- Ladle the Crack Chicken Soup into bowls.
- Garnish with chopped fresh chives or green onions, if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy the creamy and flavorful goodness!
This Crack Chicken Soup is sure to be a hit with its rich and comforting flavors. Serve it with crusty bread, crackers, or a side salad for a complete and satisfying meal.