Description
This hearty Crack Chicken and Noodles recipe combines tender shredded chicken, creamy soup, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and delicate angel hair pasta in a flavorful chicken broth base. Perfect as a comforting, one-pot meal that’s easy to prepare and packed with rich, savory goodness, it’s ideal for family dinners or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Broth Base
- 3 cups shredded or chopped cooked chicken
- 1 can cream of chicken soup (about 10.5 oz)
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
Vegetables and Seasoning
- 2 medium carrots or 12 baby carrots, sliced or shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 oz packet ranch dressing mix or 1 tablespoon Mt Elbert’s Seasoning
Dairy and Cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Other Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 pound angel hair pasta
- Fresh or dried parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: In a large stock pot, combine shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, milk, carrots, celery salt, ranch dressing mix or Mt Elbert’s Seasoning, and cream cheese. Heat over medium-high heat until the mixture reaches a rolling boil.
- Simmer the Soup: Once boiling, reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the cream cheese to fully melt and incorporate.
- Cook the Bacon: While the soup is simmering, cook the bacon until crispy. Drain excess grease and crumble the bacon into small pieces. Set aside.
- Prepare the Pasta: Break the uncooked angel hair pasta into smaller pieces (about 1 to 2 inches long) to ensure even cooking and easier eating. Set aside.
- Add Pasta, Bacon, and Cheese: Stir the cooked bacon, broken pasta pieces, and shredded cheddar cheese into the simmering pot. Continue to cook over low heat until the pasta is tender and the cheese has melted completely, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: If desired, stir in fresh or dried parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve hot, garnished with additional parsley if preferred.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken for convenience.
- For a lower sodium version, use low-sodium chicken broth and reduce or omit celery salt.
- Angel hair pasta cooks faster than other pasta types; watch closely to avoid overcooking.
- Mt Elbert’s Seasoning is a flavorful alternative to ranch mix that adds depth to the dish.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid curdling the dairy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: crack chicken, chicken and noodles, creamy chicken soup, bacon chicken pasta, easy chicken dinner
