Crack Chicken Noodle Soup

Creamy, cheesy, and rich, this crack chicken noodle soup is sure to be a winner with your entire family.

Table of Contents

Why You Will Love This Crack Chicken Noodle Soup
Crack Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe Ingredients
Crack Chicken Soup Substitutions And Additions
How To Make Creamy Cheesy Chicken Noodle Soup
Cheesy Chicken Soup Recipe Serving Suggestions
How To Store Chicken Crack Soup
Why Crack Chicken Noodle Soup is the Best
Crack Chicken Soup FAQs
More Recipes You’ll Love
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This amazingly addictive crack chicken noodle soup has tons of flavor that you won’t be able to get enough of. It has all the deliciousness of classic chicken noodle soup but is so much more beyond that.

a pot of Chicken Noodle Soup with a large wooden spoon

Why You Will Love This Crack Chicken Noodle Soup

Everyone agrees that chicken noodle soup is the ultimate comfort food. This crack chicken noodle soup takes it a giant leap further by adding bacon, cheese, and cream cheese to make it even more decadent and cozy.

Crack Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe Ingredients

Crack Chicken Noodle Soup raw ingredients that are labeled

This soup is a rich and creamy comfort dish that combines tender chunks of chicken, crispy bacon, and fresh vegetables.

The cream cheese and cheddar cheese provide a luxurious, tangy creaminess, while ranch seasoning adds a flavorful kick.

You’ll need:

1 tablespoon of salted butter
1 medium carrot, diced into thin half slices (about ½ cup)
1 stalk of celery, finely chopped (¼ cup)
½ small yellow onion, finely minced (about ¼ cup)
9 cups of water
8 ounces of thin spaghetti, vermicelli, or angel hair pasta
4 ounces of cream cheese, cut into chunks
½ cup of heavy cream
2 cups of cheddar cheese
1 ounce of packet Ranch seasoning
1 packet of top ramen seasoning
2 cups of chopped rotisserie or cooked chicken
1 pound of bacon (cooked and crumbled)
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Salt and black pepper (to taste)

PRO TIP:

You could use leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken you pick up at the grocery store for an even quicker prep time.

Crack Chicken Soup Substitutions And Additions

NOODLES: We recommend long noodles of some sort, but egg noodles would also be yummy in this easy recipe.

CHICKEN: You can use a rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken breasts that have been chopped or shredded for this recipe.

BACON: You can cook bacon and chop it into small pieces yourself or use store-bought bacon bits instead.

VEGETABLES: You can add other vegetables to your soup if you’d like. Any veggies that you have hanging around in your fridge would taste delicious.

CHEDDAR CHEESE: If you’re looking to experiment with different cheese flavors, try using Monterey Jack or Swiss cheese instead of cheddar.

These alternatives will bring a slightly different creamy and melty texture to your chicken noodle soup while offering a unique twist on the taste.

RANCH SEASONING: If you’re out of ranch seasoning, create your own seasoning mix by combining garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, dried parsley, and a pinch of salt.

Adjust the quantities to your taste to achieve that classic ranch flavor.

TOP RAMEN SEASONING: In case you don’t have top ramen seasoning on hand, you can use a chicken or vegetable bouillon cube or powder to add savory depth to your soup.

Crush the bouillon and stir it into the soup until it dissolves.

How To Make Creamy Cheesy Chicken Noodle Soup

Let’s dive in and take a classic chicken noodle soup recipe to the next level with our step-by-step instructions.

STEP ONE: Melt butter in a large stockpot or large Dutch oven over medium heat.

STEP TWO: Add diced carrots, celery, and chopped onion. Saute for two to three minutes until the onion softens.

STEP THREE: Add eight cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

For a richer soup, you can use less water.

STEP FOUR: As soon as the mixture is boiling, add pasta. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the pasta is tender.

Stir frequently to prevent noodles from sticking to one another and encourage the pasta starch to blend into the broth mixture.

STEP FIVE: When the noodles are cooked, stir in the cream cheese pieces and heavy cream.

Continue cooking over low, stirring until cream cheese is melted.

STEP SIX: Add cheddar cheese and stir until melted and combined. Add the ranch seasoning packet and a packet of top ramen seasoning. Stir to combine.

STEP SEVEN: Add in the chicken, crumbled bacon, and finely chopped parsley, if desired.

PRO TIP:

Reserve some of the bacon to sprinkle over the top for an added crunch.

STEP EIGHT: Taste the soup and add the remaining cup of water if needed for a thinner or less rich soup.

Continue simmering to the desired consistency. Please note the soup will thicken as it cools or after lengthy simmering. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

STEP NINE: Serve immediately.

PRO TIP:

Soup thickens substantially after being cooked as the starch from the noodles works into the broth. You can add water to thin out the broth but may need to compensate with additional top ramen seasoning if you add too much.

Additionally, the dry ranch mix and the top ramen seasoning and bacon add quite a bit of salt to the soup, so water can be added to balance the seasoning.

Cheesy Chicken Soup Recipe Serving Suggestions

Serve big bowls of this creamy soup with a little bit of extra cheese on top.

It is a meal by itself, but you can also serve it with cheesy pull-apart bread and Caesar salad on the side.

Even the picky eaters in your family will be hooked on this fantastic soup!

Check out our chicken pot pie soup and chicken and rice soup for two more delicious soup recipes.

Our crockpot crack chicken is another fantastic recipe that you will love.

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How To Store Chicken Crack Soup

Once you’ve savored every comforting spoonful of your soup, you might wonder how to store any leftovers or prepare it in advance for future enjoyment.

MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare the soup up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

Simply follow the recipe’s instructions until the soup is cooked but without the pasta.

Allow it to cool to room temperature, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container.

Refrigerate the soup base and the cooked pasta separately.

When you’re ready to enjoy, reheat the soup on the stovetop, add the pasta, and simmer until the pasta is tender, adjusting the seasoning if needed.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days.

IN THE FREEZER: Crack chicken noodle soup will keep in the freezer for two to three months.

REHEATING: Several options exist when it’s time to reheat your frozen or refrigerated soup.

On the stovetop, thaw the soup in the fridge if frozen, then gently reheat it over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally.

If you’re in a hurry, heat in the microwave by transferring a serving to a microwave-safe bowl and heating it in one to two-minute intervals, stirring in between to ensure even heating.

Why Crack Chicken Noodle Soup is the Best

IRRESISTIBLY CREAMY: The combination of cream cheese, heavy cream, and cheddar cheese creates an incredibly creamy and luxurious texture.

SAVORY AND FLAVORFUL: With ranch seasoning and top ramen seasoning, this soup is full of savory flavors.

CRUNCHY BACON: The crispy bacon crumbles provide a satisfying crunch and a delightful smoky flavor that complements the creamy soup and tender chicken.

a bowl of Chicken Noodle Soup with a large wooden spoon

The whole family will agree that this crack chicken noodle soup recipe is the best thing ever. It’s an easy dinner and a great way to fill everyone’s tummies on a cold day. You’ll be obsessed with its ridiculous creaminess.

Crack Chicken Soup FAQs

Can I make crack chicken noodle soup in the slow cooker?

This creamy chicken noodle soup recipe could be made in the slow cooker, although we haven’t tried it with this recipe.

Can I freeze chicken noodle crack soup?

This great recipe will keep in the freezer for two to three months in an airtight container.

Do the noodles have to be cooked before adding to the soup?

You can toss the noodles into the pot uncooked as they will cook as they simmer in the soup.

Why is it called crack chicken?

Crack chicken was originally named for a delicious seasoning blend used to flavor chicken. The name has evolved to refer to chicken dishes that include bacon, cheese, ranch seasoning, and cream cheese along with the chicken, for an addictive dish that you won’t be able to resist.

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Chicken Noodle Crack Soup

5 from 2 votes

Creamy, cheesy, and rich, this crack chicken noodle soup is sure to be a winner with your entire family.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Servings

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon salted butter
1 medium carrot, diced into thin half slices (about ½ cup)
1 stalk celery, finely chopped (¼ cup)
½ small yellow onion, finely minced (about ¼ cup)
9 cups water
8 ounces thin spaghetti, vermicelli or angel hair pasta
4 ounces cream cheese, cut into chunks
½ cup heavy cream
2 cups cheddar cheese
1 ounce Ranch seasoning
1 packet top ramen seasoning
2 cups rotisserie or cooked chicken, chopped
1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
fresh parsley, for optional garnish
salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Melt butter in a stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add diced carrots, celery, and onions. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion softens.
Add 8 cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil.
As soon as the mixture is boiling, add pasta. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the pasta is tender. Stir frequently to prevent noodles from sticking to one another and encourage the pasta starch to blend into the broth mixture.
When noodles are cooked, stir in cream cheese pieces and heavy cream. Continue cooking over low, stirring until cream cheese is melted.
Add cheddar cheese and stir until melted and combined. Add Ranch seasoning and a packet of top ramen seasoning. Stir to combine.
Add in chicken, crumbled bacon, and finely chopped parsley if desired.
Taste the soup and add the remaining cup of water if needed for a thinner or less rich soup. Continue simmering to desired consistency. Please note, the soup will thicken as it cools or after lengthy simmering. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

You could use leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken you pick up at the grocery store for an even quicker prep time.
For a richer soup, you can use less water.
Reserve some of the bacon to sprinkle over the top for an added crunch.
The soup thickens substantially after being cooked as the starch from the noodles works into the broth. You can add water to thin out the broth but may need to compensate with additional top ramen seasoning if you add too much. Additionally, the dry ranch mix and the top ramen seasoning (not to mention the bacon) add quite a bit of salt to the soup, so water can be added to balance the seasoning.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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Crack Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Why You Will Love This Crack Chicken Noodle Soup

Crack Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe Ingredients

Crack Chicken Soup Substitutions And Additions

How To Make Creamy Cheesy Chicken Noodle Soup

Cheesy Chicken Soup Recipe Serving Suggestions

Hamburger Soup

Lasagna Soup

How To Store Chicken Crack Soup

Why Crack Chicken Noodle Soup is the Best

Crack Chicken Soup FAQs

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