🍜 Crack Chicken Soup
Serves 4–6 | Prep: 5 min | Cook: 20–25 min | Total: ~30 min
🛒 Ingredients
8 oz (225g) angel hair pasta (or thin spaghetti, broken in half)
1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (8 oz / 225g) block cream cheese, cubed
4 cups (950ml) chicken broth
1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix (or homemade blend – see tip)
1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese, plus more for topping
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp paprika (optional, for warmth)
Salt & black pepper to taste
Optional add-ins:
1 cup frozen broccoli or peas
½ cup cooked bacon bits
Green onions or parsley for garnish
🧀 Pro Tip: Use low-sodium broth if sensitive to salt — ranch mix adds quite a bit!
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Sauté Chicken & Garlic
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
Add chicken pieces, season with salt & pepper, and cook 5–6 mins until lightly browned.
Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
2️⃣ Add Liquids & Pasta
Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil.
Add angel hair pasta, breaking it if needed to fit.
Simmer 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
3️⃣ Melt in Creaminess
Reduce heat to low.
Stir in cream cheese and ranch seasoning until fully melted and smooth.
Add cheddar cheese and stir until gooey and blended.
4️⃣ Season & Serve
Stir in onion powder, paprika, and any optional add-ins (like broccoli).
Taste and adjust seasoning — maybe more pepper or a splash of lemon juice?
5️⃣ Ladle & Garnish
Serve hot in bowls.
Top with extra cheddar, green onions, or crispy bacon.
🍽️ Serving Ideas:
With garlic bread or crackers
Pair with a crisp green salad
Store leftovers for next-day comfort
🌈 Variations & Pro Hacks
🌱 Gluten-Free? Use GF pasta or spiralized zucchini noodles
🌾 Dairy-Free? Swap cream cheese for cashew cream, use dairy-free cheese
🌶️ Spicy Kick: Add ½ tsp cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce
🧊 Make-Ahead Magic: Reheats beautifully — add a splash of broth when warming
❄️ Freeze It? Freeze uncooked — best fresh due to dairy separation
🥦 More Veggies? Stir in spinach at the end or add diced carrots early
🧠 Why This Works So Well
Ranch + cheddar = flavor explosion — tangy, savory, nostalgic
Angel hair cooks fast — no pre-cooking needed
Cream cheese melts smoothly — creates silky texture without flour or roux
One-pot method = less mess, more flavor infusion
It’s not magic — it’s smart comfort cooking. ✨
❤️ Final Thought: Sometimes, the Best Meals Are Simple & Soul-Warming
You don’t need rare ingredients or hours in the kitchen to make something truly special.
Just good chicken, real cheese, and love.
This Crack Chicken Soup proves that the most memorable meals are often the simplest — vanishing fast from every bowl they touch.
So next time you’re craving something creamy, cheesy, and deeply satisfying…
Grab that pot.
Turn on the stove.
And let your kitchen fill with the scent of garlic, ranch, and home-baked joy.
Because great food doesn’t have to be hard —
It just has to taste like it came from the heart. 💛