Decadent Loaded Baked Potato Chowder
Indulge in the rich and creamy flavors of this Decadent Loaded Baked Potato Chowder, a savory delight that's perfect for cozy nights or dinner parties. This soup combines crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and a velvety blend of cheese and cream, all topped with fresh scallions for a pop of color and flavor. Whether you’re serving it as an appetizer or a hearty main dish, this chowder will warm you from the inside out. Perfect for sharing with family and friends, this recipe guarantees to impress even the pickiest eaters at the table.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bacon
6 slices (cooked and chopped for garnish)
Yellow onion
1 large (diced)
Garlic cloves
4 (minced)
Flour
2 tablespoons (all-purpose)
Low sodium chicken broth
4 cups (homemade or store-bought)
Heavy whipping cream
1 cup
Russet potatoes
2.5 lbs (peeled and cubed)
Salt
to taste
Pepper
to taste
Shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup (plus more for garnish)
Sour cream
1 cup (plus more for garnish)
Scallions
4 (sliced)
Instructions
1
In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, fry the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon and set it aside on a paper towel; chop for garnish once it cools.
2
Add the diced yellow onion and minced garlic to the pot, using the remaining bacon fat. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the onions are translucent and fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
3
Whisk in the flour, cooking for another 2-3 minutes to remove the raw flour taste, stirring constantly.
4
Gradually add the low sodium chicken broth and heavy whipping cream, whisking until smooth and well combined.
5
Stir in the cubed russet potatoes, increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to low heat. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
6
Add salt and pepper to taste. Using a hand blender, carefully blend the soup to your desired consistency (you can also blend in batches in a traditional blender).
7
Turn off the heat to prevent curdling, then stir in the cheddar cheese and sour cream until melted and well combined.
8
Ladle the chowder into bowls and top with the reserved chopped bacon, additional cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and freshly sliced scallions. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Loaded Baked Potato Chowder?
It is a rich and creamy soup that combines crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and a velvety blend of cheese and cream, topped with fresh scallions.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What are the primary ingredients in this chowder?
The main ingredients include bacon, yellow onion, garlic, flour, chicken broth, heavy whipping cream, russet potatoes, cheddar cheese, and sour cream.
How should I prepare the bacon for this recipe?
Fry the bacon in a large pot until crispy, then remove it to a paper towel and chop it for use as a garnish once it cools.
What type of potatoes are best for this chowder?
Russet potatoes are recommended for this recipe; they should be peeled and cubed.
How long should I sauté the onions and garlic?
Sauté the diced yellow onion and minced garlic in the bacon fat for 5-7 minutes until the onions are translucent.
Why is flour added to the soup?
Flour is used as a thickener; it should be cooked for 2-3 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
What kind of broth is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of low sodium chicken broth, which can be homemade or store-bought.
How long do the potatoes need to simmer?
The potatoes should simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.
What is the best way to achieve a smooth consistency?
You can use a hand blender to blend the soup to your desired consistency or use a traditional blender and work in batches.
Why is the heat turned off before adding cheese and sour cream?
The heat is turned off to prevent the dairy products from curdling as they melt into the soup.
What type of cheese is used in this chowder?
The recipe uses 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, plus additional cheese for garnish.
What are the recommended garnishes for this soup?
Top the chowder with reserved chopped bacon, extra cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and freshly sliced scallions.
Can I serve this as a main dish?
Yes, this hearty chowder is suitable as either an appetizer or a main dish.
Is this recipe easy to follow for beginners?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and involves standard cooking techniques like frying, sautéing, and simmering.
What type of onion should I use?
A large yellow onion is recommended for its flavor profile in this soup.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe requires 4 cloves of minced garlic.
Can I use a traditional blender instead of an immersion blender?
Yes, you can carefully blend the soup in batches using a traditional blender.
What is the role of heavy whipping cream in this recipe?
Heavy whipping cream provides the rich, velvety texture and creaminess characteristic of a chowder.
How much sour cream is included?
The recipe uses 1 cup of sour cream mixed into the soup, plus more for garnishing.
What is the total number of ingredients needed?
There are 12 ingredients listed in this recipe.
Are the scallions used for cooking or garnish?
The 4 sliced scallions are used as a fresh garnish to add color and flavor.
Should the chicken broth be added all at once?
The broth and cream should be added gradually while whisking to ensure a smooth mixture.
What should I do if the garlic starts to burn?
You should be careful not to burn the garlic while sautéing; if it starts to brown too quickly, lower the heat.
Is this soup suitable for meal prep?
While the recipe doesn't explicitly state it, it is a hearty soup that can be stored and reheated.
What kind of flour should I use?
The recipe specifies all-purpose flour.
How should the potatoes be prepared?
They should be peeled and cut into cubes before being added to the pot.
What does 'fork-tender' mean for the potatoes?
It means the potatoes are cooked enough that a fork can easily pierce and slide out of the cube.
Does this recipe include salt and pepper?
Yes, salt and pepper are added to taste during the cooking process.
What type of pot is best for making this chowder?
A large Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot is ideal for even heating.