Description

This Crack Chicken Noodle Soup is a creamy, comforting dish loaded with tender chicken, crispy bacon, mild cheddar cheese, and thin spaghetti noodles, all simmered together in a flavorful broth enriched with cream cheese and ranch seasoning. Perfect for chilly days, this soup offers a rich and hearty meal that combines textures and flavors harmoniously.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein & Dairy

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

Vegetables

2 medium carrots, sliced
1/2 cup chopped celery

Liquids & Broth

6 cups low-sodium chicken stock

Other Ingredients

8 oz thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta, uncooked
1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (1 oz) packet ranch dressing mix
Vegetable oil (for cooking bacon)

Instructions

Cook Bacon: Heat a little vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon slices and cook until they reach your desired level of crispiness. Remove the cooked bacon from the skillet, crumble it, and set aside.
Combine Ingredients and Boil: In a large pot, add shredded chicken, sliced carrots, chopped celery, condensed cream of chicken soup, low-sodium chicken stock, whole milk, softened cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, and the crumbled bacon. Stir gently to combine all ingredients. Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Simmer Soup: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for 20 to 25 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld together and the vegetables to soften perfectly.
Add Pasta and Cheese: Stir in the uncooked thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta along with the shredded mild cheddar cheese. Continue to simmer for another 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from clumping, until the pasta is tender but still has a slight bite.
Garnish and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for added freshness. Serve hot, ideally with crusty bread such as ciabatta for a comforting and complete meal.

Notes

Cooking bacon in vegetable oil prevents sticking and helps achieve even crispiness.
Using low-sodium chicken stock allows better control over the saltiness of the soup.
Thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta works best because it cooks quickly and has a delicate texture.
Adjust the simmer time if you prefer softer or firmer pasta.
To make the soup thicker, allow it to simmer a bit longer uncovered.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

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

Keywords: Crack Chicken Noodle Soup, creamy chicken soup, bacon chicken soup, ranch chicken soup, easy chicken soup, comforting soup recipe, chicken noodle soup with bacon