Creamy Crack Chicken Soup Recipe
This Creamy Crack Chicken Soup is a rich and comforting dish loaded with tender shredded chicken, crispy beef bacon, vibrant baby spinach, and a luscious blend of cream cheese and cheddar. Infused with aromatic herbs and spices, this hearty soup is perfect for chilly days or when you crave a cozy, flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 4 slices beef bacon, diced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
- 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 white onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups baby spinach
Liquids and Broth
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Herbs and Spices
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon dried chives
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the bacon and sauté aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, render the diced beef bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving about 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pot. Add butter to the pot and sauté the diced onion until softened. Then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add broth and spices: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the bay leaves, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, and dried chives. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer to infuse flavors: Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and cook for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.
- Add chicken and cheeses: Remove and discard the bay leaves. Add the shredded cooked chicken to the pot and heat through for about 5 minutes. Turn heat to low and add cubed cream cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese is melted and the soup is smooth. Then stir in the grated cheddar cheese until fully melted.
- Finish with spinach and bacon: Stir in the baby spinach and cook just until wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each serving with the reserved crispy beef bacon bits.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken for convenience; rotisserie chicken works well.
- Low-sodium chicken broth helps control the saltiness in the soup.
- Beef bacon adds a robust flavor but can be substituted with regular pork bacon if preferred.
- For a dairy-free version, consider using dairy-free cream cheese and cheese substitutes.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: creamy chicken soup, crack chicken soup, beef bacon soup, cheesy chicken soup, hearty chicken soup, spinach chicken soup, easy chicken soup recipe
Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/creamy-crack-chicken-soup-recipe/
