Description
Crack chicken noodle soup brings comfort and excitement to classic comfort food, combining creamy, cheesy goodness with tender chicken and hearty noodles. Creamy, rich flavors and simple ingredients make this soup a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Noodles:
- 2 lbs chicken breast, boneless and skinless
- 8 oz egg noodles
- 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Optional Toppings:
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
- 1/4 cup crispy bacon bits
Instructions
- Preheat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot to medium-high heat, adding olive oil to create a sizzling surface for searing chicken breasts.
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then carefully sear each piece for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and developing a rich exterior crust.
- Remove chicken and set aside, then introduce diced onions, carrots, and celery into the same pot, sautéing for 5-6 minutes until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Mince garlic and stir into the vegetable mixture, cooking for an additional 30 seconds to release aromatic oils without burning.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot, scraping any browned bits from the bottom to infuse deep flavor into the liquid base.
- Slice seared chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and return to the pot along with shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Add dried thyme, parsley, and ranch seasoning mix, stirring to distribute herbs and spices evenly throughout the soup.
- Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to become tender.
- Introduce egg noodles and cook for 6-8 minutes until perfectly al dente, maintaining a slight resistance when bitten.
- Reduce heat to low and incorporate cream cheese and heavy cream, stirring continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and creates a luxuriously creamy texture.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Ladle soup into serving bowls and garnish with fresh chives and crispy bacon bits for added crunch and flavor complexity.
- Serve immediately while piping hot, enjoying the rich, comforting blend of creamy broth, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked noodles.
Notes
- Swap chicken breasts with rotisserie chicken for a quicker preparation and deeper flavor profile.
- Substitute egg noodles with gluten-free alternatives like zucchini noodles or rice noodles for those with dietary restrictions.
- Create a lighter version by using low-fat cream cheese and half-and-half instead of heavy cream to reduce overall calorie content.
- Enhance meal prep by cooking the soup in advance and storing in airtight containers for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to develop even more intensely.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg