Description
A hearty and creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Soup combining crispy bacon, tender chicken, fresh spinach, and flavorful ranch seasoning with comforting pasta in a rich broth.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Dairy
- 6 strips bacon, cut into small pieces
- 8 ounces cream cheese (Philly block), softened
- 2 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie recommended)
Produce
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
Pantry Items
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning (e.g. Hidden Valley)
- 1.5 cups uncooked fusilli or rotini pasta
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: Cut the bacon into small pieces using kitchen shears. Place the bacon pieces in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Cook for about 10 minutes until crispy. Once cooked, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and leave 2 to 3 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pot.
- Sauté the Onion: Add the chopped onion to the pot with the reserved bacon fat. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Add Garlic and Flour: Stir in the minced garlic and flour. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to combine and cook out the raw flour taste.
- Add Broth and Seasoning: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and ranch seasoning. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
- Cook the Pasta: Once boiling, add the uncooked fusilli or rotini pasta. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar, and cook for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Incorporate Cream Cheese and Chicken: Stir in the softened cream cheese, cooked chicken, and about three-quarters of the crispy bacon. Continue stirring for about 5 minutes to fully melt and incorporate the cream cheese. If the soup is too thick, thin it with a splash of additional chicken broth or water. Increase heat slightly if needed to help melt the cheese.
- Add Spinach and Serve: Stir in the fresh baby spinach, allowing it to wilt in the hot soup. Serve immediately, topping each bowl with the reserved crispy bacon pieces.
Notes
- Use kitchen shears for easy bacon cutting.
- Keep some bacon fat in the pot for extra flavor in the sauté step.
- Adjust thickness by adding more chicken broth if needed after adding cream cheese.
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience and extra flavor.
- Stir occasionally during pasta cooking to prevent sticking.
- Wilmting spinach at the end keeps it bright and fresh.
