Description
Comfort meets culinary magic in this creamy crack chicken noodle soup, where rich flavors meld perfectly. Hearty ingredients and irresistible seasonings promise a soul-warming experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or other)
- 12 slices thick-cut bacon (chopped)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
Dairy and Pantry Ingredients:
- 8 cups chicken stock
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ounce ranch dressing mix (1 envelope)
- 3 cups egg noodles
Instructions
- Render bacon pieces in a spacious pot over medium flame until golden and crunchy. Transfer crisp fragments to a paper towel-lined plate, preserving the rendered fat.
- Introduce diced onions, sliced celery, and chopped carrots into the bacon-infused pan. Sauté until vegetables soften and become translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes. Incorporate minced garlic and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds.
- Dust vegetables with ranch seasoning and flour, continuously stirring to create a uniform coating. Toast the mixture briefly to eliminate raw flour’s distinctive taste.
- Gradually stream chicken stock into the vegetable mixture, whisking consistently to prevent lumps. Allow liquid to reach a gentle simmer, then incorporate shredded chicken.
- Submerge egg noodles into the simmering broth, cooking until pasta reaches an al dente texture, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Reduce heat and integrate softened cream cheese, stirring until completely dissolved. Stream heavy cream into the soup, creating a luxurious consistency.
- Gradually fold in shredded cheddar and grated Parmesan, ensuring complete melting and smooth integration.
- Evaluate seasoning, adjusting salt and pepper as needed. Ladle soup into serving bowls, garnishing with reserved bacon crumbles and fresh parsley.
Notes
- Optimize bacon crispiness by starting with cold pan and cooking slowly, allowing fat to render gradually for maximum crunch.
- Prevent cream cheese from clumping by softening at room temperature and whisking vigorously when adding to soup.
- Swap traditional egg noodles with gluten-free alternatives for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining soup’s rich texture.
- Reduce sodium content by using low-sodium chicken stock and homemade ranch seasoning blend, controlling salt levels while preserving robust flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 564
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1342 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 121 mg