Ingredients:

  • 30 oz bag frozen diced southern-style hashbrowns
  • 32 oz low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 4 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened
  • 6 strips thick-cut bacon
  • 1 bunch fresh chives, chopped
  • 0.5 cup sour cream

Instructions:

  1. Render the bacon. Place the bacon in your skillet over medium heat and cook until the fat has melted and the strips are shatter crisp.
  2. Sauté the aromatics. Remove the bacon to a paper towel, but keep that liquid gold (the fat) in the pan. Toss in the diced onions and cook 5-7 minutes until they are translucent and tinged with gold. Add the minced garlic for the final 60 seconds of this process.
  3. Load the crockpot. Transfer those savory onions and garlic into your slow cooker. Dump in the frozen hashbrowns, chicken broth, and dried thyme. Give it a good stir.
  4. Set the timer. Cover the pot and cook on High for 4 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the potatoes are tender and yield easily to a fork.
  5. Prepare the liaison. About 30 minutes before the time is up, whisk the softened cream cheese and heavy cream together in a bowl until the mixture is smooth and lump free.
  6. Temper and stir. Slowly pour the cream mixture into the slow cooker. Stir it well so it fully integrates with the broth.
  7. Add the cheese. Right before you're ready to eat, stir in the shredded cheddar. Keep stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the soup looks emulsified.
  8. Mash for texture. If you want it thicker, use your potato masher to crush about a quarter of the potatoes directly in the pot.
  9. Garnish and serve. Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Top with the crumbled bacon, a generous pinch of fresh chives, and a dollop of sour cream for that classic loaded potato vibe. Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup: 4 Hours — Master slow cooker loaded baked potato soup using frozen potatoes for a cream...My Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup Crock Pot: A Family Comfort Food Classic — Craving wholesome vegetable beef soup crock pot? Enjoy my easy, delicious rec...My Family's Authentic Pho Soup Recipe: A Warm Vietnamese Classic — Discover my authentic pho soup recipe! Easy to make and packed with flavor, i... $img_2$