Baked Chipotle Cheddar Sweet Potato Chowder
This cozy chowder combines sweet potatoes, chipotle heat, and creamy cheddar for a delightful and satisfying soup that's easy to prepare.
Ingredients
For the chowder base
- 6 slices thick-cut beef bacon, chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose or gluten-free flour
- 4 cups bone broth or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped (about 3-4 cups, chopped)
- 2 cups milk
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped chipotle in adobo
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Chopped green onion for serving
Instructions
Cooking the bacon
- In a large Dutch oven, add the chopped beef bacon. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until the bacon becomes crisp. Remove it from the pot and set it aside, draining off all but 1 tablespoon of grease.
Cooking the vegetables
- In the same pot, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until fragrant. Then, add the chopped garlic, season with salt and pepper, and stir well. Incorporate the butter and flour, stirring for another minute to create a roux.
Adding the sweet potatoes
- Pour in the broth and apple cider, then add the chopped sweet potatoes. Stir to combine, slightly cover the pot, and let it simmer over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are very tender. Use a potato masher or fork to mash about one-third of the potatoes, leaving the rest chunky for texture.
Mixing in creaminess & spice
- Once the potatoes are cooked, stir in the milk, chipotle, chili powder, smoked paprika, Greek yogurt or sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese. Cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cheese is fully melted. Remove from heat and mix in the chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If the chowder is too thick, you can thin it with extra broth.
Serving
- Ladle the chowder into bowls and top with additional yogurt or sour cream, cheddar cheese, cilantro, and green onions as desired. Enjoy your comforting bowl of chowder!
Notes
For a quicker prep, use pre-chopped sweet potatoes from the store. Keep an eye on the chowder as it simmers; stir occasionally to prevent sticking. For a thinner chowder, add more broth to reach desired consistency.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!