Description
Comfort meets indulgence in this crack chicken noodle soup, where creamy ranch-infused broth mingles with tender chicken and hearty noodles. Irresistible flavors promise a soul-warming meal that’ll keep spoons diving back for more deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 3 cups cooked shredded or diced chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 12 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Base and Broth:
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 can (10.5 ounces/298 grams) condensed cream of chicken soup
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- ½ cup celery, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 1 packet (1 ounce/28 grams) ranch seasoning mix
Pasta and Garnish:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) thin spaghetti, angel hair pasta, or other noodles
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Render bacon in a large pot until golden and crisp, then extract and reserve, preserving a thin layer of rendered fat for subsequent cooking.
- Introduce diced celery and carrots into the bacon-infused pot, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and slightly tender.
- Pour chicken broth into the vegetable mixture, then incorporate cream of chicken soup and milk, creating a smooth liquid base.
- Integrate softened cream cheese and ranch seasoning, whisking continuously until the cream cheese dissolves completely and blends seamlessly with the liquid.
- Gently fold shredded chicken into the simmering liquid, allowing the mixture to reach a delicate bubbling point before reducing heat and letting flavors harmonize for approximately 12 minutes.
- Divide uncooked noodles in half and submerge into the soup, stirring periodically to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking until pasta reaches optimal tenderness.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the surface, stirring until the cheese melts and creates a rich, creamy texture throughout the soup.
- Reintroduce crispy bacon fragments, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance overall flavor profile, and optionally garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Swap bacon for turkey bacon or coconut bacon bits to create a lighter, healthier version with less saturated fat.
- Use gluten-free egg noodles or zucchini noodles to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or following low-carb diets.
- Consider reducing cream cheese and using Greek yogurt for a protein-packed, lower-calorie alternative that maintains creamy texture.
- Prep vegetables and chicken in advance to cut down on cooking time and simplify the recipe for busy weeknight meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg