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Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

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Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 5 slices bacon cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 large onion minced
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 pounds russet potatoes peeled, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
  • 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • green onions for serving
  • sour cream for serving
  • additional sharp cheddar cheese shredded for serving

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Transfer cooked bacon to paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Keep 3 Tbsp of bacon fat and discard rest. You'll want to keep all that burnt little bits in the pan. They will provide the onions with a lot of flavor.
  • Heat skillet with 3 Tbsp of bacon fat over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 15-20 seconds until fragrant. Add onions and thyme. Cook until onions have softened.
  • Add flour and stir to combine. Cook for about one minute and then slowly add 1 cup of chicken broth. Stir to combine. Transfer onion mixture (including all the browned bacon bits from the pan) into the slow cooker pot.
  • Add cut potatoes in slow cooker pot, following by remaining 4 cups of chicken broth. Cover slow cooker with lid and set to cook for 4-5 hours on low.
  • Keep slow cooker on "keep warm" setting. Once potatoes are soft and tender, scoop out 3 cups of potato from slow cooker. Place in a large bowl and mash using a fork (spoon or muddle work too). Add milk and cream. Stir to combine. Return mixture to slow cooker.
  • Add shredded cheese to slow cooker and stir to distribute. Cover slow cooker and let sit for 5 minutes until cheese has melted. Season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Sample and season more according to taste. Serve with green onions, crumbled bacon, additional cheddar cheese, sour cream, and other toppings your enjoy with baked potato.