Cheesy Pepper Jack Potato Chowder

By critty

Ingredients

• 8 strips bacon (1/2lb), chopped
• 1 rib celery, chopped
• 1 large shallot (or 1/2 small onion,) chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes (or more or less)
• 2 Tablespoons flour
• 2 cups chicken broth, divided
• 2 cups 2% milk
• 4 cups Southern-Style frozen hash browns
• pepper
• 8 oz freshly shredded Pepper Jack cheese
• 2 green onions, chopped

Details

Servings 6
Adapted from iowagirleats.com

Preparation

Step 1

In a small bowl whisk together 2 Tablespoons flour with 1/4 cup chicken broth then set aside.

Heat a large soup pot over medium heat then add chopped bacon and cook until crisp. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain then remove all but 1 Tablespoon bacon grease from the pot. Add celery and shallots, season with pepper, and then saute until tender, 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and red chili pepper flakes then saute for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.

Add remaining 1-3/4 cups chicken broth, milk, hash browns, and lots of freshly cracked pepper to the pot then turn heat up to high and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Slowly drizzle in flour/chicken broth mixture then stir to combine. Turn heat down to medium-low and simmer until chowder has thickened and potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.

Remove pot from heat then add shredded cheese about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until completely smooth before adding the next batch. Stir in 1/2 the cooked bacon then serve with remaining chopped bacon, and chopped green onions.