Description
Crack chicken and noodles blend comfort and flavor in a creamy, irresistible dish that promises pure culinary bliss. Rich with tender chicken, cheesy goodness, and perfectly cooked noodles, you’ll savor each delightful bite of this crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 3 cups shredded or chopped chicken
- 1 pound bacon
Main Dairy:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Remaining Ingredients:
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 pound (226 grams) angel hair pasta
- 2 medium or 12 baby carrots, sliced or shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 ounce (28 grams) packet ranch dressing mix or 1 tablespoon Mt Elberts Seasoning
- Fresh or dried parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the base mixture by combining shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, milk, carrots, celery salt, ranch seasoning, and cream cheese in a large stockpot. Chop cream cheese into small chunks to ensure faster melting.
- Heat the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until it reaches a full boil. This helps distribute the cream cheese evenly throughout the liquid.
- Reduce heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer for 30 minutes. This slow cooking process allows flavors to develop and vegetables to soften completely.
- While simmering, cook bacon in a separate skillet until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then crumble into small pieces.
- Break angel hair pasta into smaller segments to ensure even cooking and better integration with the dish.
- After 30 minutes of simmering, incorporate crumbled bacon, broken pasta, and shredded cheddar cheese into the pot.
- Continue simmering for 5-7 minutes until pasta becomes tender and cheese melts completely, creating a creamy consistency.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley for added color and mild herbal flavor just before serving.
- Remove from heat and let stand for 2-3 minutes to allow sauce to thicken slightly before serving hot.
Notes
- Cream cheese hack helps melt ingredients smoothly without pre-softening by cutting into smaller chunks.
- Breaking pasta into smaller pieces ensures even cooking and better texture throughout the dish.
- Simmering longer develops richer, deeper flavors and allows ingredients to blend perfectly.
- Consider low-sodium alternatives for cream of chicken soup and ranch seasoning to control salt intake for health-conscious eaters.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 37 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1120 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg