Description
Hearty potato soup brings comfort with its silky smooth texture and rich, satisfying flavors. Packed with tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and a blend of creamy goodness, this soul-warming dish will make you crave another spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat:
- 6 strips bacon, cut into small pieces
- 4 cups chicken broth
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 1/2 pounds gold potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
Dairy and Seasoning:
- 3 tablespoons butter (unsalted or salted)
- 2 cups milk
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon ancho chili powder
Optional Toppings:
- shredded cheddar cheese
- chives
- additional sour cream
- additional bacon
Instructions
- Render bacon in a spacious stockpot over medium heat until golden and crisp, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the rendered fat.
- In the same pot with bacon drippings, melt butter and sauté diced onions until translucent and softened, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, releasing its aromatic essence.
- Sprinkle flour over the onion-garlic mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth roux without browning.
- Gradually pour chicken broth, whisking consistently to prevent lumps and create a silky base.
- Incorporate diced potatoes, seasoning with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and ancho chili powder for depth of flavor.
- Simmer the mixture for 15-20 minutes at a gentle bubble, until potatoes become tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Reduce heat and slowly stir in milk, heavy cream, and sour cream, creating a luxurious and velvety consistency.
- Use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup, maintaining some potato chunks for textural contrast.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, ensuring a balanced flavor profile.
- Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, and freshly chopped chives.
Notes
- Save crispy bacon bits as a crunchy topping for added texture and flavor contrast.
- Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the most creamy and smooth soup consistency.
- Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth to create a vegetarian version of this comforting soup.
- Control soup thickness by adjusting liquid quantities – add more broth for thinner soup or reduce for a heartier texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg