Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 30 mins | Servings: 10
Winter is almost here, and I am excited to welcome it with my favorite soup. This creamy crack chicken soup is packed with amazing cheesy flavor. The ultimate comfort food that’s easily and quickly made with chicken, cheese, spinach, bacon, and ranch seasoning.
Ingredients
4 c. cooked shredded chicken
4 slices of bacon, diced
1 tablespoon butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small yellow onion, diced
4 to 6 c. low sodium chicken broth
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried dill weed
1/2 tsp dried chives
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 package (8 oz) softened cream cheese
3 to 4 c. baby spinach
1/4 c. heavy cream
1 bay leaf
sliced green scallions, for garnish
salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
How to make Creamy Crack Chicken Soup
Step 1: In a Dutch oven or soup pot, cook the diced bacon until crisp. Set the bacon aside when done, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.
Step 2: In the same pot with the bacon grease, add the butter. Let the butter melt over medium-high heat. Then, add the onions. Stir and cook for about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and continue to cook for another 20 seconds.
Step 3: To the pot, pour in the chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Then, season with garlic powder, onion powder, dill weed, chives, salt, and pepper. Next, add the bay leaf and bring everything to a boil. Once boiling, adjust the heat to medium-low and continue to cook for 5 minutes more.
Step 4: Add the shredded chicken to the pot and cook for additional 5 minutes before adding the cream cheese. Stir well until completely melted and blended. Then, whisk in the shredded cheese.
Step 5: Next, add the baby spinach and cook for 2 minutes more. Add in the heavy cream, stir, and cook for another minute. Adjust the salt and pepper according to taste.
Step 6: Take the bay leaf out of the pot and discard it. Remove the pot from the heat and garnish the soup with scallions and bacon. Serve hot. Enjoy!
Notes:
WW FREESTYLE POINTS: 8
Decrease the points by 3 by using fat-free cream cheese, fat-free cheddar cheese, and turkey bacon.
NET CARBS: 4 grams
Nutrition Facts:
Amount Per Serving (1 c.), Calories 309, Calories from Fat 207, Fat 23g35%, Saturated Fat 11g55%, Cholesterol 96mg32%, Sodium 292mg12%, Potassium 351mg10%, Carbohydrates 5g2%, Fiber 1g4%, Sugar 1g1%, Protein 22g44%, Vitamin A 1575IU32%, Vitamin C 5mg6%, Calcium 133mg13%, Iron 1mg6%