Crack chicken soup is one of my favorite easy dinner recipes because it’s so addictive! Filled with ingredients like shredded chicken, ranch, bacon, cream cheese, spinach, and a super creamy broth, this soup is the ultimate comfort meal. Quick and delicious, this 30-minute creamy crack chicken soup recipe always gets my family running to the table for dinner. Consider making a large batch of this soup, because people tend to want seconds!
This one-pot soup recipe has everything I love about crack chicken–ranch, bacon, cream cheese, shredded chicken, garlic–cooked up into a creamy soup, and it’s just so easy to make. With ingredients this mouthwatering on their own, it’s no surprise that the soup is heavenly when they’re all combined!
What’s in Creamy Crack Chicken Soup?
- Shredded Chicken: It’s easiest to use pre-cooked and shredded chicken in this soup recipe. Shred up some rotisserie chicken, or make this Instant Pot shredded chicken.
- Bacon: Cook up diced pieces of bacon to add savory flavor and texture.
- Ranch: Use a dry ranch seasoning mix (individual herbs & spices are listed in the recipe notes if you need to make your own).
- Chicken Broth: This is the base of the soup broth. Low-sodium is a good way to cut down on saltiness.
- Cream Cheese: Let it come to room temperature and cut into cubes, so that it melts easily into the soup.
- Heavy Cream: This creates a super silky and creamy soup broth.
- Spinach: Use fresh baby spinach, or kale chopped into smaller pieces.
- Cheddar Cheese: This adds an extra kick of sharp, cheesy flavor! Freshly shredded cheese melts best.
- Celery & Onion: Diced and sautéed, these add more texture and flavor to the soup.
- Butter: This helps cook the celery and onion. I recommend using unsalted butter.
- Garlic: Minced garlic adds an aromatic, earthy kick.
Add Noodles
Turn this recipe into crack chicken noodle soup by adding egg noodles! Simply toss them in dry in Step 3, along with the chicken broth and other ingredients.
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How to Store and Reheat
Store crack chicken soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring regularly until fully heated through. I recommend adding a splash of heavy cream as the soup warms up to help make it creamy again.
How to Freeze
Let this shredded chicken soup cool completely before storing. Pour it into a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Let it thaw before reheating. Keep in mind that because this soup contains cream cheese and heavy cream, the texture may become grainy upon reheating.
Notes and Tips
- If you don’t have pre-cooked chicken, you can make this crack chicken soup with chicken breasts. Cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, and stir in 4 cups of chicken in Step 3. Simmer until cooked through, then continue with the recipe.
5 Star Reviews
“Just made this last night and my family ate every last drop! I made extra too!! I added egg noodles and topped with the soup and it was sooooo good! This was seriously one of my fav new meals I’ve made!” – Heather
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“I love this soup so much! My daughter and son-in-law introduced me to it one evening. I immediately fell in love with it. I can eat it breakfast, lunch & supper! I try to have a pot made and ready to eat!” – Melvin
Crack Chicken Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon diced
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 2 ribs celery diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 8 ounces cream cheese cut into squares
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese plus more for garnish
- 3 cups chopped baby spinach or kale
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- fresh parsley optional for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the diced bacon and cook until crisp. Set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.4 slices bacon
- Add the butter to the pot. Once melted, add the onion and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.1 tablespoon unsalted butter, 1 yellow onion, 2 ribs celery, 2 cloves garlic
- Stir in the chicken broth, ranch seasoning, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, add the chicken, and cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes.6 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 4 cups cooked shredded chicken
- Stir in the cream cheese and cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.8 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Add the spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes, until wilted.3 cups chopped baby spinach
- Stir in the cream and cook until warm. Serve and top each bowl with the cooked bacon, shredded cheese, and fresh parsley.⅓ cup heavy cream, fresh parsley
Notes
- Chicken: Instead of using pre-cooked chicken, stir in 4 cups of diced raw chicken breast in step 3. Simmer until cooked through and continue with the recipe.
- Ranch: Instead of using ranch seasoning mix, make your own! Combine ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried dill, ½ teaspoon dried chives, and ½-1 teaspoon salt together. Add to the recipe in step 3.
How to Make Crack Chicken Soup Step by Step
Cook the Bacon: Heat a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add 4 slices of bacon (diced) and cook until crisp. Then remove from the pot and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
Cook the Aromatics: Add 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter to the same pot. Once melted, add 1 diced yellow onion and 2 diced ribs of celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until everything is softened. Then add 2 cloves of minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Add Ingredients and Simmer: Stir in 6 cups of low-sodium chicken broth, 2 tablespoons of ranch seasoning mix, and ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then add 4 cups of cooked shredded chicken. Let it simmer until the chicken is warmed through, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the Cheese: Stir in 8 ounces of cream cheese (cut into cubes) and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and keep stirring until everything is melted and smooth.
Add Spinach and Cream: Add 3 cups of chopped baby spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes, until wilted. Then stir in ⅓ cup of heavy cream and cook until warm.
Serve: Serve warm and top bowls of creamy crack chicken soup with the cooked bacon, more shredded cheese, and fresh parsley.
GREAT SOUP w COSTCO rotisserie’s chicken! Since I had more chicken I added more of everything ( incl 1 lb bacon ) ! I did not increase crème cheese and it was good but a lil rich ; next time I might use 4oz vs 8 oz or even leave out completely?Definately “a keeper” tho !!!
Thanks so much for sharing, Denise!
Absolutely delicious. I used kale instead of spinach. We loved it. It was a nice rainy day to enjoy this !!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Karen!
Are you supposed to empty the bacon grease after you cook the bacon?
We left the bacon fat to cook the veggies in!
Delicious. We love soups, and this will be one in the rotation. I added a few noodles, but will leave them out next time. I also added carrots with the other vegetables. Pretty presentation
Thanks for sharing your modifications, Linda, and glad you enjoyed it!
I loved this recipe. I made mine as a slow cooker recipe and tweaked the ingredients a bit. I used uncooked chicken and halved the cream and cheeses as well as used Kale instead of spinach. It was yummy!
That sounds delicious, Iris. Thanks for sharing your modifications!
Just made this last night and my family ate every last drop!! I made extra too!! I added egg noodles and topped with the soup and it was sooooo good! This was seriously one of my fav new meals I’ve Made!
So glad it was a hit!
This was really good. I used 4 oz of cream cheese, black, pinto and great northern beans 1 can each. And some cayenne pepper. And kale since it holds texture better. Served with tortilla chips.
Thanks so much for sharing what worked for you, CaMillia!
Just curious if anyone has subbed mascarpone cheese in place of the creamed cheese. I live a low sodium life & it is much lower. I also use a homemade no salt added ranch seasoning.
While I haven’t personally tried that, I think it could work. You could also try using a bit more heavy cream and leaving the cream cheese out!
Absolutely the most perfect soup on a cold day! It’s easy delicious,appetizing to the eye,and filling!My family,and friends love it! They can’t get enough! I can’t ever make enough!
I’m so happy to hear your fam loves this soup, Teresa!
This is a great base recipe. I had some boneless skinless chicken thighs I cut up and cooked in the broth. I added a large, peeled potato, diced and frozen corn. I only used 4oz of cream cheese because it was all I had and it was delicious. This soup will definitely be in rotation this winter.
We’re so glad you love it, Lindsay!
I love this soup so much! My daughter and son-in-law introduced me to it one evening. I immediately fell in love with it. I can eat it breakfast, lunch & supper! I try to have a pot made and ready to eat!