Description

Crack Chicken Noodle Soup is a hearty and comforting dish combining tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, creamy cheese, and flavorful ranch seasoning in a rich chicken broth with pasta and fresh vegetables. This easy-to-make soup is perfect for chilly days and serves as a satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins & Dairy

3 cups cooked shredded or chopped chicken breast
12 slices of thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
3/4 cup cream cheese, softened
1 cup whole milk

Soup Base & Seasonings

6 cups low-sodium chicken stock
1 (10.5 oz.) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (1 oz.) packet Ranch dressing mix

Vegetables

2 medium carrots, sliced
1/2 cup chopped celery

Pasta

8 oz. Thin Spaghetti or Angel Hair pasta, uncooked

Other

Vegetable oil (for cooking bacon)

Instructions

Cook the Bacon: Heat a little vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon slices and cook until done or slightly crispy according to preference. Once cooked, remove from the skillet and set aside on paper towels to drain, then crumble.
Combine Soup Ingredients: In a large pot, combine the cooked shredded or chopped chicken, sliced carrots, chopped celery, condensed cream of chicken soup, low-sodium chicken stock, whole milk, softened cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, and crumbled bacon. Stir well to mix all ingredients evenly.
Boil and Simmer: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 20 to 25 minutes to allow flavors to meld and vegetables to soften.
Add Pasta and Cheese: Add the uncooked thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta directly into the simmering soup. Stir in the shredded mild cheddar cheese. Continue to simmer until the pasta is cooked al dente, usually about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent clumping.
Serve and Garnish: Once the pasta is tender and the soup is creamy and hot, remove from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately with crusty bread such as ciabatta on the side for dipping.

Notes

Using low-sodium chicken stock helps control the saltiness of the soup since bacon and condensed soup can be salty.
For a thicker soup, you can add an extra 2 oz of cream cheese or reduce the chicken stock slightly.
If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes when simmering.
The soup can be made ahead up to the simmering step; refrigerate, then add pasta and cheese before reheating and serving.
Substitute gluten-free pasta to make this soup gluten free.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Crack Chicken, Chicken Noodle Soup, Easy Chicken Soup, Creamy Chicken Soup, Ranch Soup, Bacon Soup, Comfort Food