Description
Rich Crack Chicken Soup delivers comfort through creamy, savory goodness packed with tender chicken and ranch seasoning. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, promising satisfaction that will warm souls seeking delicious nourishment.
Ingredients
- 2 cups/280 g cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 2 cups/200 g shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 oz/225 g cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 2 cups/480 ml milk or heavy cream
- 4 cups/950 ml chicken broth
- 1 packet/1 oz ranch seasoning mix
- 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups/150 g frozen or fresh spinach (optional)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- Chopped green onions or parsley (optional)
- Extra crumbled bacon (optional)
Instructions
- Flavor Foundation: Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat, sautéing diced onions until translucent and softened.
- Aromatic Layering: Add minced garlic and quickly toast, releasing its intense flavor profile within moments, creating a robust base for the soup.
- Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth into the pot, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer that will marry the upcoming ingredients.
- Protein and Seasoning Fusion: Introduce shredded chicken and ranch seasoning, stirring thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly throughout the broth.
- Creamy Transformation: Fold in cream cheese, continuously stirring to create a smooth, velvety texture while allowing the cheese to melt completely into the soup.
- Cheese Incorporation: Reduce heat and blend milk and cheddar cheese, maintaining constant movement until the mixture achieves a rich, creamy consistency.
- Final Embellishment: Incorporate crumbled bacon and fresh spinach, allowing these elements to infuse the soup with additional depth and complexity during a brief 5-10 minute simmer.
- Flavor Refinement: Conduct a final taste test, adjusting seasonings with black pepper and salt to elevate the overall flavor profile.
- Serving Presentation: Transfer the hot soup into serving bowls, crowning with a sprinkle of chopped green onions or extra crispy bacon crumbles for a perfect finishing flourish.
Notes
Optimize Chicken Selection: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken for maximum tenderness and easier shredding, ensuring a more delectable soup texture.
Control Cheese Melting: Add cream cheese and cheddar gradually while stirring constantly to prevent clumping and achieve a silky, smooth consistency without unwanted cheese lumps.
Adjust Soup Thickness: Modify liquid ratios by adding more broth for a thinner soup or reducing liquid for a heartier, more concentrated flavor profile that suits personal preference.
Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular dairy products with low-fat alternatives or use lactose-free cheese for a lighter version, and substitute ranch seasoning with homemade herb blend for reduced sodium content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg