This chicken bacon ranch soup, also known as crack chicken soup, takes the addictive flavors of chicken, bacon, and ranch seasoning to the next level. It's creamy, hearty, and so easy to make that it quickly became one of my husband's all-time favorites.
He's been following a keto diet for over a year, so we've tried just about every "crack chicken" recipe out there but I was never completely hooked until I made my own version.
Turning it into a creamy low carb soup changed everything. Taking the classic ingredients of chicken, bacon, and crack chicken seasoning mixed with a creamy broth takes crack chicken from good to amazing! It's now on our regular dinner rotation, and I can't recommend it enough!
Why You'll Love This Recipe!
- When you start with pre-cooked chicken and bacon, the recipe comes together in 30 mins or less.
- You get your favorite chicken bacon Ranch flavors in a hearty, comforting bowl of soup.
- If you're eating low carb, this is a terrific soup option for you, plus its keto-friendly and gluten-free too.
- Easy to lighten up by using almond milk instead of cream but still retaining the richness.
Do you have a pressure cooker? Then be sure to check out our variation for Instant Pot crack chicken soup - it's the exact same recipe adapted for the Instant Pot but with spinach added.
Things to Know Before Making Crack Chicken Soup
- Use home-cooked chicken: Rotisserie works in a pinch but can make the soup saltier.
- Soften the cream cheese: It blends smoothly into the broth instead of clumping.
- Grate your own cheddar: Pre-shredded cheese doesn't melt well and adds carbs.
- Save your bacon grease: It adds great flavor when sautéing the onions.
I've been testing and sharing keto and low carb recipes since 2018, focusing on family favorites that taste indulgent but fit a healthy lifestyle. This easy crack chicken soup is one of our most-loved winter dinners.
Just like our Keto White Chicken Chili, Keto Broccoli Cheddar Soup, and Keto Pizza Soup, it's simple, comforting, and full of flavor.
Ingredients Overview
- Chicken breast: Diced or sliced cooked chicken; boiled, baked, or roasted works best.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to balance the richness.
- Ranch seasoning: For that signature "crack chicken" flavor. Simple Organics makes one without artificial ingredients if that's of consideration for you.
- Cream cheese: Fully softened for a creamy, smooth texture.
- Cheddar cheese: Use freshly shredded from a block for best melting.
- Bacon (8 slices): Cooked and crumbled; adds a salty, smoky flavor.
- Chicken broth: Creates the soup base.
- Almond milk: Keeps the soup light but creamy. Substitute half and half or cream if desired.
- Green onions: Optional garnish for color and a hint of freshness.
Full ingredient list and measurements are in the recipe card below.
How to Cook the Chicken
Buying a rotisserie chicken is the quickest way to get pre-cooked chicken for this recipe, but keep in mind it's often saltier than plain boiled chicken breast, which can make the soup too salty. If you use rotisserie, cut back slightly on the ranch seasoning or bacon.
For a fresher option that rotisserie chicken, try one of these easy methods instead: make boiled chicken breast on the stovetop, Instant Pot chicken tenders from frozen, or bake chicken breasts to meal prep for the week.
Cooking the Bacon
And to easily cook bacon when you want to cook an entire pack at once, you'll want to cook bacon in the oven! Our favorite way to make bacon plus you can save the grease for flavoring soups, veggies, or eggs.
How to Cook Crack Chicken Soup
Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon of bacon grease (or olive oil) in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 6-7 minutes, until soft and fragrant.
Step 2: Stir in the chicken broth and ranch seasoning packet. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce to medium-low heat.
Step 3: Add the cooked, diced chicken to the pot and simmer for 1-2 minutes to heat through.
Step 4: Add the softened cream cheese cubes and stir until melted and smooth. Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until fully combined.
Step 5: Stir in the crumbled bacon just before serving. Garnish each bowl with extra bacon, cheese, and sliced green onions if desired.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap almond milk for half and half or whipping cream for a richer soup.
- Add chopped spinach or broccoli florets to sneak in extra veggies.
- Use turkey bacon for a lighter version.
What to Serve with Crack Chicken Soup
Serve this cozy low carb soup with a crisp salad or keto biscuits on the side. It also pairs perfectly with fluffy cottage cheese cloud bread for dipping.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Freezing note: Dairy-based soups don't freeze well and may separate when reheated. Fortunately, because the crack soup is so addicting, you won't have to worry about leftovers going bad!
FAQs
Is Chicken Bacon Chowder or Soup Keto?
Yes! This keto chicken bacon ranch soup has about 4 net carbs per serving, making it perfect for low carb and ketogenic diets.
Can I Freeze Crack Chicken Soup?
Crack chicken soup is NOT a good soup for freezing. Any soups with dairy in them generally do not freeze well and might separate.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
You can, but as mentioned above, you'll want to reduce the ranch mix or bacon to keep the salt level balanced.
More Low Carb Soup Recipes
- Easy Low Carb Taco Soup
- Low Carb Chili Without Beans
- Eggdrop Soup
- Detox Cabbage Soup
- Chicken Noodle Soup Without Noodles
- Crock Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup
- Low Carb Butternut Squash Soup
For more soup recipes, we've put together a list of Keto & Low Carb Soup Recipes you'll definitely want to try!
If you loved our recipe, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and leave us a comment too! Connect with us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube!
Recipe
Best Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Soup
Ingredients
- 2 lb chicken breast cooked and diced or sliced
- ½ large onion diced
- Ranch seasoning packet
- 8 oz cream cheese cubed and softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar shred from a block of cheese, do NOT use pre-shredded
- 8 pieces of bacon cooked and crumbled
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup almond milk
- Green onions sliced to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat a soup pot over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of bacon grease if you have it, if not substitute olive oil or avocado.
- Sauté the onion until it's soft, which took about 6-7 minutes.
- Add the chicken stock and Ranch seasoning packet and stir the ingredients together.
- Bring the chicken stock and almond milk to a gentle boil over medium high heat, and then turn down to medium low heat as soon as it starts bubbling.
- Add the precooked chicken and simmer until the chicken is heated through, which should take 1-2 minutes.
- Next add the softened cream cheese cubes to the hot broth and stir until combined.
- Slowly stir the shredded cheese into the soup.
- Right before serving mix in the chopped bacon.
- Garnish with more bacon, shredded cheese and green onion slices.
Notes
Nutrition
Leslie says
My husband is in love with this soup! We had it as soup a few nights ago, and then as a sauce for our pork chops tonight. The best ever!
WholeLottaYum says
Hi Leslie, I'm so glad he loves it so much! Jen
Danielle says
This was really yummy! I used 8 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese and added a little half and half and heavy cream that I needed to use up. I also added 1 bag of frozen cauliflower florets and 2 cups of frozen okra. I made mine in the instant pot. I placed my Frozen chicken breast, chicken broth, seasonings, okra, and cauliflower into the instant pot and set it for 15 min. Once done I took out the veggies with a slotted spoon and placed them into my blender along with the cream cheese, almond milk, half and half, heavy cream, and some hot broth just to get everything melted together. I then I added the purée back to the soup, shredded chicken and then stirred the cheddar cheese into the soup until melted. Hidden weight loss veggies!
Kay Lynn Lee says
I would not use a pre-packaged ranch dressing product; regardless of keto friendliness, those have maltodextrin as the first ingredient and MSG not far behind. Having adopted a keto diet for migraines, not weight loss, these are triggers for me and other migraineurs. There are ample ranch dressing recipes out there which are equally delicious and less harmful. Otherwise, sounds like a great recipe.
WholeLottaYum says
Hi Kay, that's why we suggested using an organic brand of Ranch seasoning like we did in the recipe--it doesn't include artificial ingredients. But it might not be sold at all grocery stores. People of course can make their own homemade Ranch seasoning if they have time. And yes, it's really really good soup!