Description
Crack Chicken Soup with Bacon & Cream Cheese is a creamy, savory comfort food combining tender chicken, crispy smoky bacon, rich cream cheese, and sharp cheddar cheese in a luscious broth. Easy to prepare and perfect for any meal, this soup warms the soul with its indulgent texture and balanced flavors, making it an ideal family favorite that’s quick to whip up on weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into pieces
- 6–8 bacon strips
Dairy
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup heavy cream or milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Liquids
- 4 cups chicken broth
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Spices & Herbs
- 1 tsp salt (to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: Fry bacon strips in a large pot over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot to enhance the soup’s flavor base.
- Sauté the aromatics: Add diced onions and minced garlic to the bacon fat. Cook until soft and fragrant to build a savory foundation for the soup.
- Add chicken and broth: Place cut chicken pieces into the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Incorporate cream cheese and cream: Lower the heat and stir in softened cream cheese and heavy cream or milk. Stir until the cream cheese is completely melted and the soup is smooth and creamy.
- Season and finish: Add shredded cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir until the cheese melts and the seasonings blend well. Return the crispy bacon to the pot and stir gently to combine flavors.
- Serve and enjoy: Once heated through and blended, ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired, and enjoy your comforting Crack Chicken Soup with Bacon & Cream Cheese.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth melting without clumps.
- Reserve bacon grease to sauté aromatics for extra smoky flavor.
- Do not overcook chicken; remove from heat once tender to avoid dryness.
- Sharp cheddar cheese melts better and adds deeper flavor.
- Adjust soup thickness by adding more broth or cream as preferred.
- Add fresh herbs right before serving for best freshness and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soups
- Method: Stovetop cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: crack chicken soup, bacon soup, cream cheese soup, comforting soup, easy chicken soup, creamy chicken soup, gluten free soup, weeknight dinner
