A Deliciously Tasty Crack Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

If you don’t know why this dish says that it’s “crack,” it’s because it’s so satisfyingly creamy, tasty, and comforting. It’s hard to stick with just a single serving of this soup because it’s just that good. Keep reading to discover how to make your own crack chicken noodle soup at home.

What Makes Crack Chicken So Good?

It all comes down to this soup’s ingredients. It’s meaty, salty, creamy, tangy, cheesy, and easy to make. It’s excellent as a winter comfort food and is also easy to make healthier.

Here’s How to Make Your Own Crack Chicken Noodle Soup

If this is your first time getting ready to eat crack chicken noodle soup, you’re in for a treat. Get ready to slurp down your new favorite soup when you make this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 4 slices of bacon, sliced
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 4-6 cups of chicken broth (may substitute vegetable broth)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp dill weed
• ½ tsp chives
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups of cooked chicken, shredded or cubed (canned is fine)
• 12 oz. egg noodles (or angel hair noodles broken into bite-sized pieces)
• 1 oz. package of cream cheese, room temperature, cubed
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 3 to 4 cups of baby spinach leaves
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cook the diced bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon grease in the pot.
2. Add the butter to the pot with the bacon grease and melt it over medium heat.
3. Add the diced onion and cook for three minutes. Push the onion around to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.
4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 20 seconds.
5. Carefully pour in the chicken broth (or vegetable broth) and use a spoon to scrape up any stuck bacon, onion, or garlic from the bottom.
6. Sprinkle in the garlic and onion powder, dill weed, chive, and salt and pepper. Start with ½ tsp of salt and pepper and adjust to taste.
7. Add the bay leaf and bring the soup to a full boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for five minutes.
8. Stir in your cooked chicken and noodles or pasta. Then cook for another five minutes.
9. Add your cubed cream cheese, whisking it into the soup until it melts.
10. Add your cheddar cheese and whisk until it’s fully incorporated into the soup.
11. Stir in your spinach and allow it to wilt for two minutes.
12. Stir in the heavy cream and cook for one minute.
13. Take a small spoon to taste the seasonings. Add any additional seasoning desired now.
14. Remove the bay leaf (the slotted spoon from the bacon is perfect for fishing it out)
15. Remove the soup from the heat at the top with the bacon pieces.
16. Spoon into serving bowls and top with additional cheese if desired.

Although this recipe has many steps, they’re all simple and easy. In fact, your soup should be ready in 30 minutes or less when you follow these directions.

Healthier Options to Still Be Able to Enjoy Your Crack Chicken Soup

Even though this soup is chock full of tender meat and broth, you can still make some changes if this is too rich or full of fat for you. Here are some suggestions to tweak this recipe for a lighter yet flavorful option:

• Turkey bacon isn’t close to the real thing, but it still brings that salty crunch you love in this soup. Prepare it the same as you would the bacon in the recipe, and go from there.
• If you remove the noodles, you’ve made this into a low-carb, keto-friendly soup. While noodles are a main ingredient, it’s not mandatory.
• Gluten-sensitive people can use gluten-free noodles Instead of adding uncooked noodles to the soup, prepare them according to the package and stir them in just before you remove the soup from the heat. If you try to cook them in the soup, they may become overcooked and gummy.
• Add as many vegetables as you like. If you have a garden or just want to load the soup with nutrients, add them during the last five minutes of cooking. A good, crunchy vegetable gives this creamy soup an enjoyable texture boost.
• Switch out your heavy cream for a lighter milk or milk alternative. You won’t have as creamy a broth, but your fat content will be much lower.
• Low-fat cream cheese can be used in place of regular cream cheese.

However you want to make this soup healthier is up to you. Switch out, replace, or omit anything you like to get you the dish you want to serve. While the final result won’t be like the original recipe, it’s sure to be delicious.

Making Changes to Make the Best Version of Your Crack Chicken Noodle Soup

Always try a recipe once before you brainstorm how to improve it. Here are some suggestions to get your creative juices flowing to help you get started:

• Switch out your cooked or canned chicken for rotisserie or roasted chicken at home. It gets you the already-cooked chicken you need, with some extra seasoning to boot.
• Omit the seasonings and replace them with powdered ranch seasoning.
• Amp up the seasoning by adding your favorites
• Buy cream cheese with chives to boost the flavor.
• Replace your heavy cream and cream cheese with a can of cheddar cheese soup. You can also switch out for cream of mushroom or chicken soup.
• For a spicier soup, dice some jalapenos or use spicy shredded cheese.

Now that you’ve got a place to start, you can switch up or add anything you’re inspired to try out

Slow Cooker Option

If you want this soup to simmer all day, add everything to the crock except for the spinach, cheddar cheese, and uncooked bacon. Cover and set to cook on LOW for six to eight hours.

When the soup is heated, you can fry or microwave the bacon and set it aside. Add the spinach and cheddar cheese to the soup and stir until the cheese is melted. Top with the crispy bacon, and serve

Now You’re Ready to Make Your Own Crack Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

This soup is so delicious and addictive that you might want to make it when no one else is around. Better yet, make a double batch so there’s plenty for everyone and leftovers. Either way, you can now enjoy making desirable and tasty crack chicken noodle soup in your own kitchen.

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• How to Make the Jamie Oliver Pumpkin Soup Recipe at Home