Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Melt butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add onion, celery, and carrots and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Add the egg noodles and cook according to package directions (usually about 8-10 minutes) or until tender.
- Stir in the cooked chicken, cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and most of the crumbled bacon (reserve some for garnish).
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cream cheese is fully melted and the soup is creamy and smooth.
- If you want an even richer soup, stir in the heavy cream.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with the reserved crumbled bacon and fresh parsley.
Notes
Soften the cream cheese thoroughly before adding to the soup to prevent lumps. Don't overcook the noodles. Use good quality chicken broth. You can substitute pre-cooked bacon to save time. Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a spicy kick. This soup is even better the next day. For freezing, consider cooking the noodles separately and adding them after thawing. Variations: Add other vegetables like corn, peas, or spinach. Experiment with different cheeses like cheddar or Monterey Jack. Use shredded turkey instead of chicken. Try different types of noodles. Add herbs like thyme or rosemary. Adapt the recipe for a slow cooker by adding all ingredients (except noodles and cream cheese) and cooking on low for 6-8 hours, then stirring in noodles and cream cheese during the last 30 minutes.
