Bacon and Spinach Keto Crack Chicken Soup
A decadent soup featuring tender chicken, crispy bacon, fresh spinach, and sharp cheddar cheese, finished with a ranch seasoning kick. This american-inspired keto (low carb) ready in about 35 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, bacon strips, chopped, cream cheese, cubed for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 6 bacon strips, chopped
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot over medium heat, cook 6 chopped bacon strips for 5-6 minutes until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving bacon fat in the pot.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts to the pot and sauté in the bacon fat for 6-7 minutes, turning to brown all sides until cooked through.
- Step 3: Remove chicken breasts and shred them with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot.
- Step 4: Add 4 oz cubed cream cheese, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix, and 1 tsp garlic powder to the pot. Stir gently and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes until the cream cheese melts and the soup is creamy.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 2 cups fresh baby spinach, cooking for another 3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and cheese is melted.
- Step 6: Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Sprinkle the reserved crispy bacon on top before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bacon and Spinach Keto Crack Chicken Soup take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bacon and Spinach Keto Crack Chicken Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bacon strips, chopped from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bacon and Spinach Keto Crack Chicken Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bacon and Spinach Keto Crack Chicken Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Bacon and Spinach Keto Crack Chicken Soup keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
