Spice Up Your Kitchen: Recreating Jimmy John’s Kickin’ Ranch Soup at Home

Are you a fan of Jimmy John’s Kickin’ Ranch? Do you crave that creamy, spicy, and oh-so-satisfying soup on a cold day (or any day, really)? If so, you’re in the right place! While Jimmy John’s hasn’t officially released their recipe, the internet is buzzing with delicious copycat versions. This article will guide you through several variations, providing detailed steps and instructions to help you recreate this beloved soup in your own kitchen. Get ready to experience the kick! We’ll start with a basic recipe and then explore ways to customize it to your liking.

What Makes Jimmy John’s Kickin’ Ranch Soup So Good?

Before we dive into the recipes, let’s break down what makes this soup so addictive. It’s a perfect blend of:

* **Creaminess:** The base of the soup is typically a creamy mixture of milk, cream, and sometimes even cream cheese or sour cream. This creates a rich and velvety texture.
* **Tanginess:** Ranch dressing, a key ingredient, provides a signature tangy flavor.
* **Spice:** The “kick” comes from ingredients like hot sauce, chili powder, cayenne pepper, or jalapenos. The level of spice can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
* **Savory Flavors:** Garlic, onion, and other herbs and spices contribute to the savory depth of the soup.

Basic Kickin’ Ranch Soup Recipe

This recipe serves as a great starting point. Feel free to experiment with the ingredients and amounts to find your perfect blend.

**Ingredients:**

* 4 tablespoons butter
* 1/2 cup chopped onion
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 4 cups chicken broth
* 1 cup milk
* 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
* 1 cup ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)
* 1/4 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot or Tabasco), or more to taste
* 1 teaspoon chili powder
* 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, a dollop of sour cream, or more hot sauce.

**Equipment:**

* Large pot or Dutch oven
* Whisk
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Cutting board and knife

**Instructions:**

1. **Sauté the Aromatics:** In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

2. **Make a Roux:** Sprinkle the flour over the cooked onions and garlic. Whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes until the flour is incorporated and the mixture is smooth. This creates a roux, which will help thicken the soup.

3. **Gradually Add the Broth:** Slowly pour in the chicken broth, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth.

4. **Add Dairy and Seasonings:** Stir in the milk and heavy cream (or half-and-half). Add the ranch dressing, hot sauce, chili powder, cayenne pepper (if using), garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir well to combine.

5. **Simmer and Thicken:** Bring the soup to a simmer over medium-low heat. Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for at least 15-20 minutes, or longer if you want a thicker consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

6. **Taste and Adjust:** Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings as needed. Add more salt, pepper, hot sauce, or chili powder to your liking. If the soup is too thick, add a little more chicken broth or milk. If it’s not thick enough, you can whisk in a slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water and simmer for a few more minutes.

7. **Serve and Enjoy:** Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, a dollop of sour cream, or an extra drizzle of hot sauce.

Variations and Customizations

The beauty of this recipe is that it’s incredibly versatile. Here are some ideas to customize your Kickin’ Ranch Soup:

* **Spice Level:**
* **Milder:** Reduce the amount of hot sauce or omit the cayenne pepper altogether. You can also use a milder hot sauce.
* **Spicier:** Add more hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or a pinch of red pepper flakes. You could also add a chopped jalapeno pepper (seeds removed for less heat, seeds included for more).
* **Smoked:** Add a dash of smoked paprika for a smoky heat.
* **Texture:**
* **Creamier:** Add a dollop of cream cheese or sour cream to the soup while it’s simmering. You can also use more heavy cream instead of milk.
* **Chunkier:** Add cooked and shredded chicken, diced potatoes, or chopped vegetables like carrots, celery, or corn.
* **Smoother:** Use an immersion blender to partially or fully blend the soup for a smoother texture. Be careful when blending hot liquids!
* **Flavor:**
* **Cheesy:** Add shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, or pepper jack cheese to the soup while it’s simmering. Stir until melted.
* **Bacon-y:** Cook and crumble bacon and add it to the soup. You can also use bacon grease instead of butter to sauté the onions and garlic.
* **Herby:** Add fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or chives to the soup. You can also use dried herbs, but be sure to use less (about 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for every 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs).
* **Smoked Sausage:** Add diced smoked sausage for a heartier, smoky flavor.
* **Chicken:** Add shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken for protein.
* **Vegetarian/Vegan:**
* **Vegetarian:** Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add vegetarian bouillon for extra flavor.
* **Vegan:** Use vegetable broth, plant-based milk (such as almond milk or soy milk), and a vegan ranch dressing substitute. You can also add a tablespoon of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.

Kickin’ Ranch Soup with Chicken

Adding chicken to the soup makes it a more substantial and filling meal. Here’s how to incorporate chicken into the basic recipe:

**Ingredients:**

* All the ingredients from the basic Kickin’ Ranch Soup recipe
* 1-2 cups cooked and shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)

**Instructions:**

1. Follow steps 1-5 of the basic Kickin’ Ranch Soup recipe.
2. Add the cooked and shredded chicken to the soup. Stir well to combine.
3. Continue simmering for another 5-10 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through.
4. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
5. Serve and enjoy with your favorite toppings.

Slow Cooker Kickin’ Ranch Soup

This slow cooker version is perfect for busy weeknights. Just throw everything in the slow cooker and let it do its magic!

**Ingredients:**

* 4 cups chicken broth
* 1 cup milk
* 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
* 1 cup ranch dressing
* 1/4 cup hot sauce, or more to taste
* 1 teaspoon chili powder
* 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
* 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
* 1/2 cup chopped onion
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, sour cream, hot sauce.

**Instructions:**

1. Place the chicken breasts, chicken broth, milk, heavy cream (or half-and-half), ranch dressing, hot sauce, chili powder, cayenne pepper (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, chopped onion, and minced garlic in a slow cooker.
2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork.
4. Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
5. Stir well to combine.
6. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
7. Serve and enjoy with your favorite toppings.

Kickin’ Ranch Soup with Potatoes

Adding potatoes makes the soup even heartier and more filling. Yukon gold or red potatoes work best.

**Ingredients:**

* All the ingredients from the basic Kickin’ Ranch Soup recipe
* 1 pound Yukon gold or red potatoes, peeled and diced

**Instructions:**

1. Follow steps 1-3 of the basic Kickin’ Ranch Soup recipe.
2. Add the diced potatoes to the pot along with the broth.
3. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
4. Continue with steps 4-7 of the basic recipe.

Tips for the Best Kickin’ Ranch Soup

* **Use good quality ingredients:** The better the quality of your ingredients, the better your soup will taste. Use a good quality chicken broth, ranch dressing, and hot sauce.
* **Don’t skip the roux:** The roux is essential for thickening the soup and giving it a smooth texture. Make sure to cook the flour properly to avoid a pasty taste.
* **Simmer the soup long enough:** Simmering the soup for at least 15-20 minutes allows the flavors to meld together and the soup to thicken.
* **Taste and adjust the seasonings:** Taste the soup frequently and adjust the seasonings as needed. This is the key to creating a soup that you love.
* **Don’t be afraid to experiment:** This recipe is just a starting point. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own signature Kickin’ Ranch Soup.
* **Fresh vs. Dried Herbs:** If using fresh herbs, add them towards the end of the cooking process to preserve their flavor. If using dried herbs, add them earlier in the cooking process to allow them to rehydrate and release their flavor.
* **Cheese Incorporation:** When adding cheese, shred it finely and add it gradually to the soup while stirring constantly to prevent clumping.
* **Blending Safety:** If using an immersion blender, be extremely careful as hot liquids can splatter. Start on a low setting and keep the blender submerged as much as possible.

Serving Suggestions

Kickin’ Ranch Soup is delicious on its own, but here are some ideas for serving it:

* **With a Grilled Cheese Sandwich:** A classic pairing!
* **With Crusty Bread:** For dipping and soaking up all that delicious soup.
* **As a Dip:** Serve it with tortilla chips or vegetables.
* **In a Bread Bowl:** For an extra hearty and satisfying meal.
* **As a Starter:** Serve a small bowl of soup before a larger meal.

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Kickin’ Ranch Soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. You may need to add a little more chicken broth or milk to thin it out if it has thickened too much.

The soup can also be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as directed above. Be aware that the texture may change slightly after freezing and thawing.

Troubleshooting

* **Soup is too thin:** Simmer the soup for longer to allow it to thicken. You can also whisk in a slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water and simmer for a few more minutes.
* **Soup is too thick:** Add more chicken broth or milk to thin it out.
* **Soup is too bland:** Add more salt, pepper, hot sauce, chili powder, or other seasonings to taste.
* **Soup is too spicy:** Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt to cool it down. You can also add a little bit of sugar or honey to balance the spice.
* **Soup is lumpy:** Whisk the soup vigorously or use an immersion blender to smooth it out.
* **Soup is curdled:** This can happen if the soup is overheated or if acidic ingredients (like lemon juice) are added to dairy-based soups. To prevent curdling, avoid overheating the soup and add acidic ingredients towards the end of the cooking process. If the soup does curdle, you can try whisking it vigorously or using an immersion blender to smooth it out.

Nutritional Information

The nutritional information for Kickin’ Ranch Soup will vary depending on the specific ingredients and amounts used. However, a typical serving (about 1 cup) will contain approximately:

* Calories: 250-350
* Fat: 15-25 grams
* Saturated Fat: 8-15 grams
* Cholesterol: 50-80 mg
* Sodium: 800-1200 mg
* Carbohydrates: 15-25 grams
* Fiber: 1-3 grams
* Sugar: 5-10 grams
* Protein: 10-15 grams

These values are estimates and may vary. For more accurate nutritional information, use a recipe analyzer or calculate the values based on the specific ingredients you use.

Final Thoughts

Recreating Jimmy John’s Kickin’ Ranch Soup at home is easier than you might think! With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of experimentation, you can create a delicious and satisfying soup that will rival the original. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to spice up your kitchen! Don’t be afraid to adjust the recipe to your liking and have fun with it. The most important thing is to create a soup that you and your family will love. Enjoy your homemade Kickin’ Ranch Soup!

Now go forth and conquer your soup cravings!

Happy cooking!