Crack Chicken and Rice Soup – this soup should come with a warning label! SO GOOD!!! Ready in 30 minutes! Chicken, cheese soup, chicken broth, celery, carrots, ranch mix, bacon, and rice. Everyone went back for seconds – even our super picky eaters! A great kid-friendly dinner!! We love this soup! #soup #bacon #chickenandricesoup #crackchicken
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Pin This RecipeNew favorite alert!! This Crack Chicken & Rice Soup is CRAZY good! Chicken and rice soup loaded with cheddar, bacon and ranch – YASSSS!!! We both absolutely loved this soup!! We made this for lunch and ate it leftover for dinner the same day. All you need is a biscuit or some cornbread and you are set!
This Crack Chicken & Rice Soup is stupid easy to make. Just put everything in the pot, bring to a boil and simmer for about 20 minutes. You are really just heating up the soup and cooking the rice. I used rotisserie chicken for the cooked chicken and precooked bacon in this soup and it worked great. I always have both on hand for quick recipes like this one!
As I said, we loved this Crack Chicken & Rice Soup. Chicken Legs has already requested it again this week. No problem! I love it too!! I might double the recipe this time for a couple of quick lunches during the week. Add this Crack Chicken & Rice Soup to your menu ASAP! I promise it won’t disappoint!!
Crack Chicken and Rice Soup
Equipment:
Ingredients:
- 3 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 5½ cups chicken broth
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 cup chopped cooked bacon
- 1 (1-oz) package Original Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning mix
- 1 (10.5-oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
- ⅔ cup uncooked long-grain white rice
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a large Dutch oven.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook 20 minutes, until rice is cooked.
Notes:
- I used a rotisserie chicken for the cooked chicken.
- Here is our recipe for Slow Cooker Rotisserie Chicken: https://www.plainchicken.com/slow-cooker-rotisserie-chicken/
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/
- 1 cup chopped cooked bacon is equivalent to about 1 pound of raw bacon.
- Can substitute turkey bacon.
Steph
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I used velveeta cheese, no canned soup on hand, added frozen broccoli and sauteed onions with the celery before adding to the soup. Also added some thyme, parsley and garlic. Wonderful!
Loved !! It was easy to make but I found it be a tad salty. Any ideas how to tone the salt taste down ??
Make your own ranch
Use salt-free broth or make your own
Use low sodium bacon
This soup is delicious and so easy to make. I used rotisserie chicken and baby carrots and prepared cut celery so it was easy to cut up. I like how it thickened up as I simmered it. I cooked mine for about 35 minutes until my carrots were soft.
I have had this many times, it’s delicious. Tonight I halved it and put cauliflower in one pot for my husband who is on the Keto diet!
Does this soup freeze well?
You can freeze it. You may need to add more chicken broth when you reheat it. The rice may absorb some of the liquid in the soup.
I can’t wait to try this recipe it sounds amazing. Looking forward to more recipes.
I made this soup exactly as written and it came out wonderful! Absolutely delicious in flavor. I had a little bit left over for lunch the next day, and although the rice soaks up most of the liquid overnight, it still tasted amazing! The next day it's more like a Crack Chicken & Rice Casserole, but still so yummy! I also love how easy and quick it is to make, making it perfect for weeknights when you're short on time.
Made this tonight… in the crockpot. Turned out pretty good but a touch salty which I’m blaming on the “Hidden valley ranch”. Added a couple of handfuls of chopped fresh spinach at the end.
How long did you cook it in the crock pot?
How about wild rice? Any thoughts?
I have a big family. How many does your recipe feed?
Can gnocchi be used in place of the rice
I've never tried it with gnocchi, but you can give it a try
Tried it with the gnocchi , it was delicious. I will definitely make this recipe again. Made it in a crockpot.
Have you ever tried this in the instant pot?
I haven’t. Honestly, it is probably quicker on the stovetop
I was wondering if this could be adapted for crock pot? And if so, what do you suggest?
I’m sure it could be made in the slow cooker. I haven’t tried it in the slow cooker. If I were to try it, I would put everything in the slow cooker & let it cook on low for 2 to 4 hours.
What is a substitute for the cheese soup?
Don't have cheddar cheese soup, anything I could substitute? Help!
I have only made this as written. Maybe try cream of chicken and a cup of cheddar cheese.
Do you ever use orzo instead of rice?? I am on weight watchers I would love to k now the point value on this one 🙂 I'll have to see if I can figure that out!
I haven’t used orzo, but it should work just fine.
I am low carb and don’t do rice. I would add in cauli Rice at the very end and maybe some spinach! Definitely will try! Sounds yummy.
Here is the low-carb version – https://www.plainchicken.com/low-carb-crack-chicken-rice-soup/
Have you ever made this ahead of time? I'm thinking about making it tomorrow night for Wednesday night but didn't know if the rice would soak up all the liquid? Thanks!
I’m going to try this using cauliflower rice!! Can’t wait to try it!
How did the califlower rice turn out?
Made this today sooooo good!! I couldn’t find cheddar cheese soup so I made it!! 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 tablespoons of flour 1 cup of milk salt and one and a half cups of cheddar cheese just like a Basha Mel!! Thank you
What if we dont have a Dutch Oven? Would a large pot be sufficient or a longer cook time by using a crockpot??
Thank you!
A large pot would work fine. Enjoy
Do you cook this covered or uncovered?
Uncovered
Thank you!
Made this last night and it was Delicious!! Will certainly make again!
Do you just pour in the dry mix or do you mix it according to the direction on package. Don’t want to mess up the soup. Can’t wait to make it. Thanks
just use the dry mix – enjoy!
Recipe was delicious. My only complaints were, it was to salty and the rice absorbed all of my liquid. I am making this for work next week
Thinking about using low sodium ingredients and adding double the liquid. What do you think?
I suggest using our Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix recipe listed in the notes to control the salt content in the soup.
I’ve never had any issues with the rice, but sounds like adding more liquid will fix your issue.
Hi Stephanie. This is another recipe for my rotation. I just want to say that this site and your recipes are my go-to more than any other site I am subscribed to. I am an email subscriber, so I never have to worry about missing anything you post, because it comes right to my in box. Thank you so much for offering such down-to-earth recipes that most have all ingredients already in their cupboards/pantry. My absolute favorite is the rib eye pork roast from Wal-Mart cooked in the Crockpot for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. I am old school where one cooks a roast all day to make sure it's tender, so when I saw your recipe long ago, I was very hesitant, but trusted you and followed the recipe to a tee, and it didn't disappoint and has been in my rotation every since. The pork is ALWAYS pull-apart tender and delicious. Thank you for being here and sharing your recipes. Have a wonderful day.
Yum! All about the soups this week — and that crack combination is the perfect flavor combo in everything!
Thank you!! I love all your recipes and look forward each day to see what you have coming our way!
The recipe calls for Original Ranch Dressing. Are you referring to the package that calls for buttermilk and mayo on the directions? Just want to make sure I am using correct ingredients as you. This recipe sounds delicious! Thank you!
I linked to the packet I used in the ingredients. Just click on it and it will show you exactly which one. Enjoy!
Can you use canned carrots?
Sure
Can I use instant rice? It’s all I have on hand?
I haven’t made this with instant rice, but I think it would work fine.
I know what's for dinner tonight. Will let you know the outcome
This looks soooo good! 🙂