Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Bake the potatoes
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Bake the potatoes directly on the oven rack for 50 to 60 minutes, until a knife slides easily into the center.
- Let the potatoes cool until easy to handle, about 10 minutes.
- Cut the potatoes in half and scoop the flesh into bite-size pieces.
Make the soup
- Cook the bacon in a 5-quart Dutch oven over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp.
- Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and leave about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pot.
- Add the butter to the pot and melt it over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Gradually whisk in the chicken broth until smooth.
- Whisk in the half-and-half, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the potatoes and simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the soup thickens and the potatoes are very tender.
- Remove the pot from the heat.
- Stir in the sour cream and 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar until melted.
- Stir in all but 2 tablespoons of the cooked bacon.
Serve the soup
- Ladle the soup into bowls.
- Top with the remaining cheddar, bacon, and green onions.
Notes
For the smoothest broth, whisk the chicken broth in gradually. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days; freezing is not recommended because the dairy can separate. For a gluten-free variation, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
