There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm bowl of soup, especially when it’s packed with creamy, cheesy goodness and tender chicken. Enter the famous Crack Chicken Soup—a delightful twist on the beloved “crack chicken” flavor, made effortlessly in the crock pot.
This recipe combines the ease of slow cooking with bold flavors from cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and crispy bacon, creating a hearty soup perfect for chilly evenings or anytime you crave a cozy meal.
Whether you’re a busy parent, a meal-prep enthusiast, or simply a fan of rich, savory dishes, this crock pot crack chicken soup is bound to become a staple in your recipe rotation.
Slow cooker recipes like this are fantastic because they allow flavors to meld beautifully over time, resulting in tender chicken and a luscious broth with minimal hands-on effort. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile, so you can customize it with your favorite veggies or spices.
Ready to dive into a bowl of creamy, cheesy, bacon-infused bliss? Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crack Chicken Soup is a game-changer for anyone who loves comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen. Here’s why this recipe stands out:
- Simple Ingredients: Most of the ingredients are pantry staples and easy to find.
- Hands-Off Cooking: Just toss everything in your crock pot, set it, and forget it until dinner time.
- Rich and Creamy: The blend of cream cheese and ranch seasoning creates a decadent, flavorful broth.
- Customizable: Add your favorite veggies or spice it up for a personalized twist.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Makes great leftovers and freezes well for busy weeks.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Equipment
- Crock pot or slow cooker (at least 6-quart capacity recommended)
- Cutting board and knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing spoon or spatula
- Cheese grater (if shredding cheese from block)
- Bacon cooker or skillet (for crisping bacon)
- Serving bowls and ladle
Instructions
- Prepare the bacon: Cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer to paper towels to drain and crumble once cooled. Set aside.
- Prep the vegetables: Dice the onion, chop the celery and carrots, and mince the garlic cloves. These will add a subtle sweetness and texture to your soup.
- Add ingredients to crock pot: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the crock pot. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning evenly over the chicken.
- Layer the vegetables: Add the diced onion, celery, carrots, and minced garlic on top of the chicken.
- Add cream cheese and chicken broth: Cube or dollop the softened cream cheese evenly across the top. Pour in the chicken broth, making sure the cream cheese is submerged to help it melt smoothly during cooking.
- Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred the chicken: Remove the chicken breasts and shred them using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the crock pot and stir well to combine.
- Add cheese and bacon: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon, reserving a small amount of bacon for garnish.
- Season and finish: Taste the soup and add salt and pepper as needed. Let it cook an additional 10-15 minutes to melt the cheese completely.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with reserved bacon and chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Tips & Variations
“For an extra creamy texture, you can add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half just before serving.”
- Vegetable Boost: Toss in a handful of spinach or kale during the last 30 minutes of cooking for added greens.
- Spicy Kick: Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to spice things up.
- Dairy-Free Option: Substitute cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative and use vegan cheddar for a lactose-free version.
- Make it Chunky: Add diced potatoes or corn for extra heartiness.
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: For quicker prep, use shredded rotisserie chicken and reduce cooking time to allow flavors to meld.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 380 kcal |
| Protein | 35 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Carbohydrates | 7 g |
| Fiber | 1.5 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
| Cholesterol | 95 mg |
Serving Suggestions
This crack chicken soup is rich and filling on its own, but pairing it with complementary sides can elevate your meal.
- Crusty Bread: A warm baguette or sourdough bread is perfect for dipping.
- Fresh Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette balances the richness of the soup.
- Rice or Quinoa: Serve the soup over cooked rice or quinoa for extra substance.
- Vegetable Sides: Roasted or steamed veggies such as broccoli or green beans add color and nutrients.
Conclusion
Making crack chicken soup in the crock pot is a wonderful way to enjoy a comforting, flavorful meal with minimal effort. This recipe is perfect for busy weekdays when you want something satisfying without complicated prep.
The creamy texture combined with smoky bacon, tender chicken, and fresh veggies makes every spoonful a delight. Plus, it’s versatile enough to suit your personal taste and dietary preferences.
Whether you’re serving it for family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this soup is sure to warm hearts and fill bellies.
If you love crock pot recipes that simplify dinner but don’t skimp on taste, be sure to check out our other favorites like Best Vegan Slowcooker Recipes for Easy Healthy Meals, All Recipes Chicken Rice and Vegetable Soup Ideas, and Chicken Pot Pie Easy Recipe With Veg and Soup Included.
Happy cooking and enjoy your delicious, cozy bowl of crack chicken soup!
📖 Recipe Card: Crack Chicken Soup Recipe Crock Pot
Description: A creamy, cheesy chicken soup loaded with bacon and ranch flavors, perfect for slow cooking. Easy to prepare and great for comforting meals.
Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT6H
Total Time: PT6H15M
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (1 oz) packet ranch seasoning mix
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped carrots
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the crock pot.
- Sprinkle ranch seasoning and garlic powder over the chicken.
- Add chicken broth, celery, and carrots to the crock pot.
- Cook on low for 6 hours.
- Remove chicken and shred with two forks.
- Return shredded chicken to the crock pot.
- Add cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions.
- Stir until cream cheese is melted and ingredients are well combined.
- Cook an additional 15 minutes on low before serving.
Nutrition: Calories: 350 kcal | Protein: 35 g | Fat: 22 g | Carbs: 6 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Crack Chicken Soup Recipe Crock Pot”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A creamy, cheesy chicken soup loaded with bacon and ranch flavors, perfect for slow cooking. Easy to prepare and great for comforting meals.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT6H”, “totalTime”: “PT6H15M”, “recipeYield”: “6 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts”, “1 (1 oz) packet ranch seasoning mix”, “4 oz cream cheese, softened”, “2 cups chicken broth”, “1 cup shredded cheddar cheese”, “6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled”, “1/2 cup chopped green onions”, “1/2 tsp garlic powder”, “1/2 tsp black pepper”, “1 cup chopped celery”, “1 cup chopped carrots”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Place chicken breasts in the crock pot.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Sprinkle ranch seasoning and garlic powder over the chicken.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add chicken broth, celery, and carrots to the crock pot.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cook on low for 6 hours.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Remove chicken and shred with two forks.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Return shredded chicken to the crock pot.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir until cream cheese is melted and ingredients are well combined.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cook an additional 15 minutes on low before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “350 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “35 g”, “fatContent”: “22 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “6 g”}}