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Cozy Slow Cooker Potato Soup with Bacon & Chives

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This creamy slow cooker potato soup with crispy bacon and fresh chives is the ultimate comfort food. Set it and forget it for a hearty, satisfying meal that tastes like home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon
  • ¼ cup fresh chives, finely chopped
  • ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
  • Extra sour cream for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon in a cold skillet over medium heat for 6-8 minutes, flipping once, until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble or chop into small pieces. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
  2. While the bacon cooks, peel and dice potatoes into ½-inch cubes. Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic.
  3. In the same skillet with reserved bacon fat over medium heat, add the chopped onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent, scraping up any browned bits. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more until fragrant.
  4. Add the diced potatoes, sautéed onions and garlic, chicken broth, water, salt, pepper, and dried thyme to a 6-quart slow cooker. Stir to combine.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender.
  6. About 30 minutes before serving, whisk together the milk, sour cream, and flour in a small bowl until smooth.
  7. Using an immersion blender, blend about half of the soup right in the slow cooker, leaving some chunks for texture. Alternatively, carefully blend 2 cups in a regular blender and return to the slow cooker.
  8. Pour the milk-sour cream-flour mixture into the slow cooker and stir well. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes until the soup has thickened slightly.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
  10. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with crumbled bacon, fresh chives, shredded cheddar cheese, and an extra dollop of sour cream.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, substitute 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water for the flour. For a dairy-free version, use unsweetened oat milk and dairy-free sour cream. The soup thickens as it cools; add more broth or milk to adjust consistency. Make ahead for best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker potato soup, bacon chive soup, creamy potato soup, comfort food, winter soup

Find it online: https://bitesienna.com/cozy-slow-cooker-potato-soup-with-bacon-and-chives/