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Crack Chicken Soup Recipe – Best Creamy Dinner with Garlic Butter Croutons

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This creamy crack chicken soup is packed with juicy chicken, ranch seasoning, melted cheese, and crispy bacon, all topped with irresistible homemade garlic butter croutons. It’s the ultimate comfort food for cozy dinners or feeding a crowd, and comes together in about 40 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 ribs celery, diced
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill (or 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley (or 1 tablespoon fresh parsley)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ranch seasoning mix
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 6 strips bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1/4 cup fresh chives or green onions, chopped
  • 4 cups day-old bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine bread cubes, melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, Italian herbs, and a pinch of salt. Toss until bread is well-coated.
  3. Spread bread cubes on a lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 12-15 minutes, stirring halfway, until golden brown and crisp. Set aside to cool.
  4. Dice onion, carrots, and celery. Mince garlic. Trim and cut chicken into large chunks or leave whole for shredding after cooking.
  5. In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring often, until softened.
  6. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  7. Add chicken pieces, chicken broth, dill, parsley, ranch seasoning, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt to the pot.
  8. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and veggies are tender. Skim off any foam.
  9. Remove chicken and shred with two forks or chop. Return chicken to the pot. (Optional: Blend 1 cup of the broth/veggie mixture and stir it back in for a smoother soup.)
  10. Lower heat to medium-low. Add cream cheese cubes and stir until melted and blended, about 3-4 minutes.
  11. Pour in heavy cream, cheddar, and mozzarella. Stir until cheese is fully melted and soup is velvety.
  12. Stir in crumbled bacon and most of the chives or green onions, reserving some for garnish.
  13. Taste and adjust salt or pepper as needed. Ladle soup into bowls, top with garlic butter croutons, and sprinkle with extra chives or bacon.
  14. Enjoy immediately. (Add croutons just before serving to keep them crispy.)

Notes

For best results, use boneless chicken thighs for juicier meat. Always soften cream cheese before adding to avoid clumping. Shred your own cheese for the smoothest melt. Only add croutons right before serving to keep them crunchy. Soup thickens as it sits; add a splash of broth or milk when reheating. Easily adapted for gluten-free or dairy-free diets with substitutions.

Nutrition

Keywords: crack chicken soup, creamy chicken soup, garlic butter croutons, comfort food, easy dinner, ranch chicken soup, cheesy soup, bacon soup, one pot meal, family dinner

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/crack-chicken-soup-recipe-best-creamy-dinner-with-garlic-butter-croutons/