Description
Comfort meets culinary magic in this creamy crack chicken soup, where tender chicken and rich flavors dance together. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, promising warmth and satisfaction that brings smiles to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz cream cheese
Dairy and Liquids:
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Seasonings and Add-ins:
- 2 tsp ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
- 1/4 cup crumbled bacon
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot and set the heat to medium-high, ensuring a clean cooking surface for your soup preparation.
- Dice the chicken breasts into uniform, bite-sized cubes to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
- Transfer the chicken pieces into the heated pot, cooking thoroughly until they turn opaque and reach an internal temperature of 165°F, which typically takes 6-8 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and introduce cream cheese, stirring continuously to help it melt smoothly and integrate with the chicken.
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, whisking gently to create a harmonious, creamy base that prevents any potential clumping.
- Sprinkle ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper directly into the liquid, stirring to distribute the seasonings evenly and develop a robust flavor profile.
- Incorporate sour cream, mixing carefully to maintain the soup’s silky consistency and enhance its tangy undertones.
- Allow the soup to simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and ensure all ingredients meld together perfectly.
- Fold in shredded cheddar cheese, letting it melt gently and contribute additional richness to the soup.
- Garnish with crispy crumbled bacon and freshly chopped chives just before serving, adding textural contrast and vibrant visual appeal.
- Ladle the soup into warm bowls, ensuring each serving receives an equal distribution of chicken, cheese, and aromatic toppings.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the most tender and lean protein option in this comforting soup.
- Dice chicken into consistent small cubes to ensure even cooking and prevent any raw spots in the meat.
- Consider using low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and customize the seasoning to your taste preferences.
- Swap out heavy cream for half-and-half or whole milk to create a lighter version of the soup without sacrificing creaminess.
- Enhance protein content by adding cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken as a time-saving alternative to fresh chicken breasts.
- Make this soup keto-friendly by replacing ranch seasoning with homemade low-carb seasoning blend and using full-fat dairy products.
- Prep ingredients in advance and store in airtight containers for quick weeknight meal assembly, saving precious cooking time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 614
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 186 mg