Hearty Baked Potato Chowder
This Loaded Potato Soup is luxuriously creamy, hearty, and packed with flavor—everything you’d want on a chilly day. It takes all the best parts of a loaded baked potato—crispy bacon, melted Cheddar, savory ham, and bright green onions—and turns them into a warm, comforting bowl of soup.
🥣 Loaded Potato Soup
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Bacon | 1 package (12 oz) |
| Chopped onion | 1 ½ cups |
| Chicken broth | 6 cups |
| Baking potatoes, peeled and cubed | 2 lb |
| Butter | ⅔ cup |
| All-purpose flour | ¾ cup |
| Milk | 4 cups |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Freshly ground black pepper | 1 teaspoon |
| Diced cooked ham | 1 cup |
| Sour cream | 1 container (8 oz) |
| Shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided | 2 ½ cups (10 oz) |
| Sliced green onions, divided | ¾ cup |
👩🍳 Directions
1. Cook the Bacon and Onion
In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat for 6–7 minutes, until crisp. Remove the bacon and place it on paper towels to drain. Crumble it once cooled. Keep 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the skillet, and sauté the chopped onion for about 6 minutes, until softened.
2. Cook the Potatoes
In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the sautéed onion, chicken broth, and cubed potatoes. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
3. Prepare the Roux
In the same skillet used for the bacon, melt the butter over low heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth, and cook for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk, stirring until thickened and smooth.
4. Build the Soup Base
Slowly add the milk mixture to the pot with the potatoes. Stir in the remaining 2 cups of milk, along with the salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the soup begins to thicken and bubble gently.
5. Add the Fillings and Finish
Stir in the diced ham, half of the crumbled bacon, sour cream, 2 cups of the shredded Cheddar cheese, and ½ cup of green onions. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the soup is hot throughout.
6. Serve and Garnish
Ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with the remaining bacon, cheese, and green onions. Serve warm and enjoy a bowl of cozy comfort.
