Crack Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Quick & Creamy Crack Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe for Cozy Comfort

Navigating chilly evenings becomes delightful with this crack chicken noodle soup that promises comfort in every spoonful.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with tender chicken and soft noodles.

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet satisfying solutions, and this recipe delivers precisely that.

Minimal ingredients create maximum flavor, making meal preparation a breeze.

Familiar kitchen staples transform into something extraordinary with just a few strategic steps.

Rich, hearty spoonfuls will warm you from the inside out.

Dive into this soul-soothing bowl and let the magic unfold.

What Makes Crack Chicken Noodle Soup Irresistible

  • Boost Kitchen Confidence: Perfect for home cooks wanting to master a delicious soup without complex techniques, this recipe guides you smoothly through each step with clear, straightforward instructions.
  • Comfort Food Champion: Packed with creamy textures, tender chicken, and crispy bacon, this soup delivers maximum satisfaction and warmth in every spoonful, making it an ultimate crowd-pleaser.
  • Quick Weeknight Wonder: Designed for busy families and individuals seeking a nutritious meal that comes together rapidly, requiring minimal prep and cooking skills to create a restaurant-quality dish.
  • Customizable Culinary Canvas: Easily adaptable with potential ingredient swaps like different proteins, noodle types, or vegetable additions, allowing personal creativity while maintaining the recipe's core deliciousness.

What You Need For Crack Chicken Noodle Soup

For the Core Ingredients:
  • Chicken Breasts: Fresh protein that forms the hearty base of the soup.
  • Egg Noodles: Classic pasta that adds comforting texture and substance to the dish.
For the Dairy and Cream Components:
  • Cream Cheese: Provides rich, smooth creaminess to the soup's base.
  • Heavy Cream: Enhances the soup's luxurious and velvety consistency.
For the Flavor Enhancers and Aromatics:
  • Chicken Broth, Onions, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup base that builds deep, savory flavor.
  • Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and robust flavor to the entire dish.
  • Ranch Seasoning Mix: Delivers a tangy and herbal flavor profile.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate the overall taste.
For the Garnish and Texture Elements:
  • Bacon: Introduces a crispy, smoky element to contrast the creamy soup.
  • Chives, Parsley: Fresh herbs that provide bright color and herbaceous notes.

How To Make Crack Chicken Noodle Soup

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Vessel

Grab a large pot and set it on the stove over medium-high heat to create a flavorful foundation for your soup.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Add diced vegetables and cook until they become soft and translucent, releasing their delightful flavors.

  • Onions
  • Carrots
  • Celery

Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Awaken the Garlic

Toss in minced garlic and let it sizzle for 30 seconds, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

Step 4: Build the Liquid Base

Pour in chicken broth and add whole chicken breasts. Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.

Step 5: Cook the Chicken

Allow chicken breasts to cook until they reach a safe internal temperature, typically 12-15 minutes.

Step 6: Shred the Chicken

Remove chicken from the broth and use two forks to pull it apart into bite-sized pieces. Keep the broth simmering.

Step 7: Create a Creamy Texture

Blend cream cheese and heavy cream into the broth, whisking until the mixture becomes smooth and luxurious.

Step 8: Season the Soup

Sprinkle in ranch seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly to distribute the flavors evenly.

Step 9: Add Noodles and Chicken

Return shredded chicken to the pot and introduce egg noodles. Cook until the noodles become perfectly tender, about 6-8 minutes.

Step 10: Introduce Crispy Bacon

Fold in crumbled bacon, adding a delightful crunch to the creamy soup.

Step 11: Finish with Fresh Herbs

Scatter fresh chives and parsley on top, bringing a pop of color and bright flavor to the dish.

Step 12: Serve and Savor

Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy while it’s piping hot, relishing every comforting spoonful.

Tips For Creamy Crack Chicken Noodle Soup

  • Shred Chicken Perfectly: Use two forks to pull apart chicken breasts while they're still warm for easy, uniform shredding.
  • Enhance Cream Base: Whisk cream cheese slowly to prevent lumps and create a silky, smooth texture in the soup.
  • Control Sodium Levels: Opt for low-sodium chicken broth and adjust salt content to manage overall saltiness.
  • Boost Flavor Depth: Toast ranch seasoning mix briefly in the pot before adding liquid to intensify its aromatic profile.
  • Prevent Noodle Overcooking: Add egg noodles toward the end of cooking and monitor closely to maintain ideal al dente texture.

Unique Twists On Crack Chicken Noodle Soup

  • Vegetarian Ranch Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Gluten-Free Ranch Chicken Soup: Substitute egg noodles with rice noodles or gluten-free pasta, ensure ranch seasoning mix is gluten-free, and maintain the creamy texture with alternative thickeners.
  • Low-Carb Keto Ranch Chicken Soup: Remove noodles entirely, replace with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice, use full-fat cream cheese, and add extra bacon for increased fat content.

What To Serve With Crack Chicken Noodle Soup

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the creamy, rich soup with a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, cutting through the heaviness and refreshing the palate.
  • Serve with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Offer warm, rustic sourdough slices to soak up the luxurious soup, providing delightful textural contrast and extra comfort.
  • Match with Fresh Garden Salad: Create a light side salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and add nutritional variety.
  • Select Craft Beer Companion: Choose a light wheat beer or blonde ale to enhance the bacon's smokiness and provide a crisp, effervescent counterpoint to the creamy soup.

Storing Crack Chicken Noodle Soup Made Simple

  • Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2-3 months, ensuring maximum flavor preservation.
  • Place portion in microwave-safe dish, cover with microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until soup reaches 165°F, preventing uneven heating.
  • Pour soup into saucepan, add splash of chicken broth to restore moisture.

Crack Chicken Noodle Soup Questions Answered

  • What ingredients make this chicken soup unique?

The combination of ranch seasoning, cream cheese, and bacon creates a rich, tangy flavor profile that elevates this from a traditional chicken noodle soup.

  • Is this recipe considered a comfort food?

Absolutely! With its creamy texture, tender chicken, and savory bacon, this soup provides ultimate comfort and warmth in every spoonful.

  • Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare this soup in advance and reheat gently on the stovetop, though the noodles may absorb more liquid as they sit.

  • How can I make this soup healthier?

Use low-fat cream cheese, reduced-sodium chicken broth, and turkey bacon as lighter alternatives without compromising the delicious flavor.

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Crack Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Crack Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Hearty Crack Chicken Noodle Soup delivers comfort in every spoonful, blending creamy ranch-infused chicken with tender noodles. Comfort seekers and flavor enthusiasts will find pure satisfaction in this irresistible one-pot wonder.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 2 lbs chicken breast, boneless and skinless
  • 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled

Vegetables and Aromatics:

  • 1 cup carrots, diced
  • 1 cup celery, diced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Soup Base and Additional Ingredients:

  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups egg noodles
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare a large pot and heat to medium-high, creating a foundation for your aromatic soup base.
  2. Sauté diced onions, carrots, and celery until they become translucent and release their fragrant essence, approximately 5 minutes.
  3. Introduce minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, allowing the aromatics to bloom.
  4. Add chicken broth and whole chicken breasts, bringing the liquid to a rolling boil before reducing heat to simmer.
  5. Cook chicken breasts until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F, approximately 12-15 minutes.
  6. Remove chicken from broth, shred using two forks, and set aside while maintaining the simmering liquid.
  7. Incorporate cream cheese and heavy cream into the broth, whisking until smooth and fully integrated.
  8. Sprinkle ranch seasoning mix, salt, and pepper into the creamy base, stirring to distribute evenly.
  9. Return shredded chicken to the pot and add egg noodles, cooking until noodles become tender, about 6-8 minutes.
  10. Stir in crumbled bacon, providing a crispy textural contrast to the creamy soup.
  11. Garnish with fresh chives and parsley just before serving, adding a burst of color and fresh herbaceous flavor.
  12. Ladle into bowls and enjoy this indulgent, comfort-laden soup while hot.

Notes

  • Ensure precise chicken cooking by using a meat thermometer to guarantee it reaches 165°F for safe consumption without overcooking.
  • Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for a lighter version that maintains creamy texture while reducing caloric content.
  • Customize soup for gluten-sensitive diets by replacing egg noodles with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
  • Maximize flavor development by allowing soup to simmer gently, which helps ingredients meld together and creates deeper, more complex taste profiles.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 688
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 1240 mg
  • Fat: 44 g
  • Saturated Fat: 24 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 180 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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