From Taste of Home · · 3m
Chicken bacon ranch soup is creamy comfort in a bowl
The beloved flavor trio gets a cozy soup makeover that's perfect for game day, rainy afternoons, or chilly fall nights.
In brief
The beloved flavor trio gets a cozy soup makeover that's perfect for game day, rainy afternoons, or chilly fall nights. This creamy soup combines chicken, bacon, and ranch seasoning with cheddar and cream cheese for a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal. Originally reported by Taste of Home.
The winning trio becomes soup
Chicken, bacon, and ranch have starred in sandwiches, dips, and casseroles. Now the Test Kitchen turned this crowd-pleaser into a creamy, cheesy soup.
Perfect for cozy occasions
This hearty soup works for warming up rainy days, serving at game-day spreads, or filling up before trick-or-treating on chilly nights.
Bacon builds the base
Regular-cut bacon crisps up for topping. Use kitchen shears to snip it directly into the hot pan to reduce dishes.
Aromatics add depth
Carrots, celery, onion, and garlic create a savory base while adding color and texture to the broth.
Flour thickens it up
All-purpose flour dissolves into bacon drippings and coats the veggies, forming a simple roux that thickens the broth.
Ranch seasoning does the work
A packet of ranch seasoning adds herbs, garlic, onion, and spices all at once without measuring multiple ingredients.
Rotisserie chicken saves time
Grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and shred what you need instead of cooking chicken from scratch.
Room temperature cream cheese melts better
Cut cream cheese into cubes and let them warm up while prepping. Small, soft pieces melt quickly without leaving pockets behind.
Grate your own cheddar
Shred cheddar from a block yourself. Bagged cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
Start with crispy bacon
Cook chopped bacon until crisp, then transfer to paper towels. Leave the drippings in the pan for sautéing vegetables.
Sauté veggies in bacon fat
Cook carrots, celery, and onion in the bacon drippings until tender. Add garlic and cook one minute longer.
Build the creamy broth
Coat vegetables with flour and ranch seasoning, then gradually stir in broth. Boil and stir until thickened, about two minutes.
Melt in the dairy
Stir in chicken, cream cheese, cheddar, and milk. Reduce heat and stir until cheeses melt completely for a creamy soup.
Make it spicy or hearty
Add diced jalapeños or pepper jack for heat. Toss in mushrooms, bell peppers, corn, or peas for extra vegetables.
Storage tips for leftovers
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to four days. Store bacon crumbles separately to keep them crisp.
Slow cooker version works too
Place raw chicken and vegetables in a slow cooker with seasonings and broth. Cook on high two to three hours, then stir in dairy.
Prevent clumpy cheese disasters
Use room temperature cream cheese and freshly grated cheddar. Add cheese gradually over low heat and don't let the soup boil.
Serve with simple sides
The soup stands alone but pairs well with buttery crackers, crusty bread for dunking, or a crisp green salad.
The bottom line
This creamy soup combines chicken, bacon, and ranch seasoning with cheddar and cream cheese for a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal.
