Ever have one of those evenings where you’re craving something deeply comforting but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? That’s exactly how this recipe came to be in my life. I was trying to use up leftover roasted chicken and a few potatoes, and what started as a simple clean-out-the-fridge experiment turned into our family’s most requested cozy dinner. If you’re looking for more hearty comfort food, you should definitely try our garlic butter steak and potatoes skillet for another satisfying meal.
There’s something magical about how the creamy broth, tender potatoes, and savory chicken bacon come together. It’s the kind of meal that makes everyone gather in the kitchen, drawn by the incredible aroma. What makes this special is how it manages to feel indulgent while being surprisingly straightforward to prepare.
Recipe Overview
Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Category: Soup
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6
What You’ll Need
When I’m shopping for this recipe, I look for russet potatoes because they hold their shape beautifully while still getting wonderfully tender. For the cheese, I’ve found that freshly shredded melts much smoother than pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents. If you’re watching your budget, you can absolutely use store-brand ingredients – I’ve done this many times and the results are still fantastic.
You’ll need a good-sized soup pot or Dutch oven, a wooden spoon for stirring, and a ladle for serving. Having your ingredients pre-measured makes the cooking process flow so smoothly.
INGREDIENTS
I remember the first time I made this, I accidentally added the cheese while the soup was still at a rolling boil. Let’s just say I learned the importance of low heat for creamy results the hard way! Now I always take the pot off the heat entirely before stirring in the dairy components.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless chicken breast, cubed
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh chives for garnish
PREPARATION
From experience, the key to perfect texture is cooking the potatoes until they’re just tender but not mushy. You’ll know they’re ready when a fork slides in with slight resistance. I made this for my best friend when she was recovering from surgery last winter, and she still talks about how it was the most comforting thing she ate during that time. If you enjoy chicken dishes with bright flavors, you’ll love our zesty chicken francese with lemony garlic sauce for a different take on chicken.
- In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, cook bacon until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pot.
- Add onion to the bacon drippings and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and add potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Return chicken and bacon to the pot. Stir in heavy cream and smoked paprika.
- Remove from heat and gradually stir in cheese until melted and smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh chives before serving.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
- Calories: 420 per serving
- Protein: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fat: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
Making This Soup Your Own
What works for me when adapting this recipe is considering what I have on hand. You can easily swap the cheddar for Monterey Jack or pepper jack if you prefer. For a lighter version, I’ve used half-and-half instead of heavy cream with good results. If you want to add vegetables, diced carrots or celery work beautifully – just add them with the onions so they have time to soften properly.
Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions
Around here, we love serving this creamy potato soup with crusty bread for dipping. A simple green salad with vinaigrette dressing provides a nice contrast to the richness of the soup. If you’re feeding a crowd, you can easily double the recipe – just use a larger pot and add about 10 minutes to the potato cooking time to ensure they become properly tender.
Storage and Reheating Tips
This dish stores wonderfully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, do so gently over low heat to prevent the dairy from separating. You might need to add a splash of broth or cream when reheating as the soup tends to thicken when chilled. Unfortunately, I don’t recommend freezing this particular recipe as the dairy components can become grainy upon thawing. For another dessert option that’s perfect after this savory soup, try our delicious oatmeal carrot cake with its warm spices and moist texture.
Cheesy Chicken Bacon Potato Soup – Rich & Flavorful Recipe
INGREDIENTS
PREPARATION
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Cheesy Chicken Bacon Potato Soup – Rich & Flavorful Recipe!
Nutrition Information
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I make this cheesy chicken bacon potato soup in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Brown the chicken and bacon first for best flavor, then combine everything except the cream and cheese in your crock pot. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, then stir in dairy components at the end.
What if I don’t have heavy cream?
You can substitute with whole milk or half-and-half, though the soup will be slightly less rich. For the creamiest texture without heavy cream, try blending 1 cup of the cooked potatoes with 1 cup of milk until smooth, then stirring back into the pot.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
This dish is naturally gluten-free as written. Just ensure your chicken broth is certified gluten-free, as some brands may contain gluten-based additives.
Conclusion
This Cheesy Chicken Bacon Potato Soup – Rich & Flavorful has become my go-to for chilly evenings and busy weeks alike. It’s the kind of comfort food that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. I’d love to hear how it turns out in your kitchen – share your experience in the comments below!