Cozy Loaded Baked Potato Chowder Recipe: A Bowlful of Joy

Creamy loaded baked potato chowder has been my ultimate comfort companion during chilly evenings.

Winter nights demand something hearty and warm that hugs you from the inside.

Potatoes and bacon create magic in this soul-satisfying soup that feels like a warm embrace.

Rich, velvety textures blend seamlessly with crispy bacon bits and sharp cheddar cheese.

Memories of grandmother’s kitchen flood back with each spoonful of this comforting creation.

Cheese lovers and potato enthusiasts will absolutely adore this simple yet elegant recipe.

You can easily customize this chowder to match your taste preferences with additional toppings.

Get ready to experience pure culinary comfort in one delightful bowl.

Baked Potato Chowder That’s Filling, Creamy, and Crowd-Friendly

• Quickly Create Comfort: Perfect for whipping up a satisfying meal with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Minimal Prep Power: Throw together this chowder in just 30 minutes from start to finish, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Packed with classic loaded baked potato flavors that appeal to both kids and adults, transforming a simple soup into a family favorite.
• Customization Champion: Easily adaptable with optional toppings like extra bacon bits, green onions, or additional cheese to match personal preferences.

Load Up on These for Baked Potato Chowder

• Bacon: Rich, salty flavor base for the chowder, adds crispy texture and depth.
• Chicken Broth: Provides savory liquid foundation for the soup's flavor profile.

• Milk: Adds smooth, creamy consistency to the chowder.
• Heavy Cream: Enhances richness and creates luxurious mouthfeel.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy depth and extra creaminess.
• Shredded Cheese: Melts into soup, providing extra flavor and thickness.

• Butter: Helps sauté aromatics and adds rich flavor.
• Onion: Provides sweet, foundational flavor to the soup.
• Garlic: Offers deep, aromatic undertone.
• Flour: Creates roux for thickening the chowder's texture.
• Potatoes: Hearty main ingredient that provides substance and classic potato flavor.

Potato Chowder Loaded Soup Instructions

Step 1: Crisp Up the Bacon

Grab a large pot and start sizzling the bacon over medium heat.

Cook until the bacon turns deliciously golden and crispy, creating those irresistible crunchy bits.

Once done, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving behind a magical layer of bacon grease in the pot.

Step 2: Wake Up the Aromatics

Drop some butter into the pot with the bacon drippings.

Toss in the chopped onions and let them dance around until they become soft and translucent.

Sprinkle in the minced garlic and let it mingle for another minute, releasing its fragrant aroma.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Foundation

Dust the flour over the softened onions and garlic.

Stir constantly to create a smooth base, ensuring you cook out that raw flour taste.

This will help thicken our chowder and create a rich, velvety texture.

Step 4: Bring in the Potatoes

Pour in the chicken broth and add the diced potatoes to the pot.

Bring the mixture to a gentle bubbling boil, then dial back the heat to a calm simmer.

Let the potatoes cook until they’re tender enough to easily pierce with a fork, which usually takes about 15 minutes.

Step 5: Create Creamy Texture

For an extra luxurious soup, grab an immersion blender and gently pulse about half the soup.

This creates a dreamy, creamy consistency while keeping some potato chunks for texture.

Skip this step if you prefer a chunkier soup.

Step 6: Finish with Dairy Decadence

• Milk
• Heavy cream
• Sour cream
• Shredded cheese

Keep stirring until the cheese melts completely and everything combines into a smooth, rich chowder.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Crumble the crispy bacon over the top of each bowl.

For extra pizzazz, sprinkle some chopped green onions or chives.

Serve piping hot and watch everyone’s eyes light up with the first spoonful.

Chowder Cooking Tips for Loaded Potato Flavor

• Crisp the bacon slowly over medium heat to render fat evenly and avoid burning, ensuring maximum flavor and a perfect crunchy texture.
• Dice potatoes uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and smooth texture throughout the chowder.
• Use an immersion blender sparingly to maintain some potato chunks, creating a rustic and hearty soup experience.
• Remove the pot from direct heat when adding cheese to prevent separation and ensure a smooth, silky finish.
• Add milk and cream gradually while stirring to prevent curdling and maintain a velvety, rich consistency.

Baked Potato Chowder Reheat Tips

• Store leftover chowder in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, keeping the rich, creamy texture intact.
• Transfer cooled chowder to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion, and freeze up to 2 months for later enjoyment.
• Warm gently over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching and maintain smooth consistency. Add a splash of milk if the soup seems too thick.
• Heat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and prevent separation of dairy ingredients.

Cozy Complements for Potato Chowder

• Perfectly Pair Potato Chowder With
• Crisp Wine Selection: Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc complements the creamy texture, cutting through rich potato and cheese flavors with bright, refreshing notes.
• Crunchy Side Salad: Prepare a light green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the soup's heaviness, adding fresh contrast and vegetable crunch.
• Rustic Bread Companion: Serve warm, crusty sourdough or garlic bread for dipping, soaking up delicious soup and providing delightful textural variation.
• Zesty Green Garnish: Top with fresh chives or green onions to introduce bright, sharp flavors that lift the chowder's creamy profile and add visual appeal.

Baked Potato Chowder Comforting Takes

• Vegetarian Potato Chowder: Replace bacon with smoked paprika and use vegetable broth for a meat-free version. Add extra mushrooms or plant-based bacon bits for smoky flavor.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for safe preparation.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrate content. Use same cooking method and seasonings for similar creamy texture.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream and dairy cheese. Select dairy-free cheese alternatives or nutritional yeast for cheesy notes.

FAQs

• What makes this chowder different from other potato soups?

This chowder combines classic loaded baked potato flavors with a creamy soup base, featuring crispy bacon, melted cheese, and a rich texture that comes from partially blending the potatoes.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Replace bacon with vegetable bacon or smoked paprika for flavor, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and choose vegetarian cheese options to create a meat-free version.

• How can I thicken the soup if it's too thin?

Create a quick slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water, then slowly stir into the simmering soup until it reaches your desired consistency.

• Is this chowder freezer-friendly?

Yes, you can freeze this soup, but add the dairy and cheese after reheating to maintain the best texture and prevent separation during the freezing process.

Loaded Baked Potato Chowder Recipe

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4.5 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Loaded Baked Potato Chowder brings comfort from creamy potato depths studded with crispy bacon and melted cheese. Warm spoons of this Wisconsin-style soup promise delicious satisfaction you’ll savor down to the last comforting bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)

Dairy and Thickening Ingredients:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Flavor and Garnish Ingredients:

• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Extra shredded cheddar cheese
• Crumbled bacon
• Chopped green onions
• Sour cream

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Instructions

1. Render bacon in a spacious cooking vessel over moderate temperature until achieving a crisp, golden texture, approximately 6-8 minutes.
2. Transfer crispy bacon to a paper towel-lined surface, preserving 2 tablespoons of rendered fat within the pot.
3. Incorporate butter into the residual bacon fat, then introduce diced onions and sauté until translucent and softened.
4. Introduce minced garlic and briefly cook, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the mixture.
5. Dust flour over the aromatic base, continuously stirring to eliminate any raw flour undertones and create a smooth foundation.
6. Stream chicken broth into the pot, gently adding cubed potatoes.
7. Elevate to a gentle bubbling state, then immediately reduce to a subdued simmer.
8. Allow potatoes to tenderize, becoming easily pierced with a fork, which typically requires 12-15 minutes.
9. For enhanced creaminess, strategically utilize an immersion blender to partially puree the soup, creating a luxurious texture while maintaining some potato chunks.
10. Reduce heat to minimum and gracefully incorporate milk, heavy cream, tangy sour cream, and shredded cheese.
11. Stir methodically until cheese melts completely, forming a harmonious, velvety consistency.
12. Garnish with reserved crispy bacon pieces, creating a delightful textural contrast.

Notes

• Bacon Crispiness: Ensure bacon is cooked until golden brown and crispy for maximum flavor and perfect texture in the chowder.
• Potato Preparation: Cut potatoes into uniform small cubes to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Roux Technique: Continuously stir flour mixture to prevent burning and develop a rich, smooth base without raw flour taste.
• Dietary Adaptations: Replace whole milk with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk for lactose-free version, and use turkey bacon for lower-fat option.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 510
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg