Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Soup is a delicious comfort food, that combines tender chicken, creamy cheese, savory bacon, and zesty ranch seasoning for a bowl of pure comfort.
It’s incredibly easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep work, you can have a delicious and comforting dinner ready to enjoy in no time.
Plus, it cooks low and slow in the slow cooker, allowing you to go about your day while it simmers away, filling your home with delicious aromas.
Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or meal prepping for the week, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household.
Serving Suggestions for Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Soup
- Crusty Bread or Breadsticks:
- Serve the soup with slices of crusty bread, breadsticks, or garlic bread for dipping and soaking up the delicious broth.
- Side Salad:
- Pair the soup with a simple side salad tossed with vinaigrette dressing for a light and refreshing accompaniment.
- Cornbread:
- Enjoy the soup alongside warm cornbread or corn muffins for a comforting and hearty meal.
- Garnishes:
- Offer a variety of garnishes such as chopped fresh parsley, sliced green onions, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, or diced avocado for added flavor and texture.
- Tortilla Chips:
- Serve the soup with a side of crispy tortilla chips for a fun and crunchy contrast.
- Steamed Vegetables:
- Steam some broccoli, green beans, or carrots as a nutritious side dish to complement the creamy soup.
- Baked Potato:
- Enjoy the soup poured over a baked potato for a hearty twist on a classic comfort food dish.
- Coleslaw:
- Serve the soup with a side of creamy coleslaw for a refreshing and crunchy addition to the meal.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches:
- Pair the soup with classic grilled cheese sandwiches or quesadillas for a comforting and satisfying meal.
- Fresh Fruit:
- Enjoy a bowl of fresh fruit such as sliced strawberries, pineapple chunks, or grapes for a sweet and refreshing dessert-like finish to your meal.
These serving suggestions will complement the flavors of the Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Soup and enhance your dining experience with a variety of textures and flavors.
Cooking Tips
- Use Chicken Thighs for Extra Flavor:
- Substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for chicken breasts for a richer flavor and more tender texture.
- Low and Slow for Best Results:
- Cooking the soup on low heat for a longer time allows the flavors to meld together and the chicken to become tender. However, if you’re short on time, you can cook it on high heat for a shorter duration.
- Add Cream Cheese at the End:
- To prevent the cream cheese from curdling, add it to the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking and stir until fully melted and incorporated.
- Customize Seasonings to Taste:
- Adjust the amount of ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder according to your preference for saltiness and flavor intensity.
- Precook Bacon for Crispiness:
- For extra crispy bacon, cook it separately in a skillet until golden brown and crispy before adding it to the soup. This will prevent the bacon from becoming soggy in the broth.
- Thicken Soup if Desired:
- If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mix a slurry of cornstarch and water and stir it into the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Shred Chicken Easily:
- To shred the chicken easily, use two forks to pull it apart while it’s still hot. Alternatively, you can use a hand mixer to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker.
- Add Vegetables at the End:
- Add delicate vegetables like baby spinach or frozen corn during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking to prevent them from becoming overcooked and mushy.
- Adjust Consistency as Needed:
- If the soup is too thick, you can thin it out by adding a little more chicken broth until you reach your desired consistency.
- Reheat Gently:
- When reheating leftovers, do so gently over low heat to prevent the cream cheese from separating and the soup from becoming too thick.
Following these cooking tips will help you create a delicious and flavorful Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Soup every time!
Recipe FAQ’s
How long does it take to cook crack chicken soup in a slow cooker?
Cooking times can vary depending on your slow cooker, but generally, crack chicken soup takes 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.
Can I make crack chicken soup in an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for the Instant Pot by following the same instructions but cooking on high pressure for 10-15 minutes instead of using a slow cooker.
What can I substitute for certain ingredients?
Feel free to get creative and substitute ingredients based on your preferences or dietary restrictions. For example, you can use turkey bacon instead of pork bacon, or swap out the cream cheese for a dairy-free alternative like cashew cream or coconut milk.
Additionally, if you’re watching your sodium intake, you can use low-sodium chicken broth and ranch seasoning mix to reduce the overall salt content of the soup.
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, cut into cubes
- 1 10.5-ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 1-ounce packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 slices cooked bacon chopped
- 2 cups frozen corn
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves optional
- ½ cup chopped green onions optional
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker:Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Add Ingredients:Add the cubed cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cook the Soup:Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred the Chicken:Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
- Add Cheese and Bacon:Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, chopped bacon, and frozen corn. Let the soup cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the corn is heated through.
- Optional Add-Ins:If using, stir in the baby spinach leaves and chopped green onions during the last 10 minutes of cooking. The spinach will wilt, and the green onions will add a fresh flavor.
- Serve:Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.Serve hot with crusty bread or a side salad.Enjoy!
Notes
- For extra creaminess, you can add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half towards the end of the cooking time.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.