Jalapeno Popper Soup

It's soup season. Yipee! 

This recipe is relatively new to my collection of recipes. I found it while on vacation and it just sounded so good. I decided to kick off soup season with it. 

I love jalapeno poppers and I love all the variations of it that are out there (dip, sauce, soup, etc). This soup can't be bad. 

I followed the recipe, mostly. I wanted to make it a bit heartier so I added chicken to it. 

I might have mis-measured the half and half though. The recipe calls for 1.5 c, and I was using a 4 cup measuring cup and after I poured the half and half in, I felt like it might have been 2.5 cups. Not that it made the soup bad, and in fact it might have been a happy mistake.

Jalapeno Popper Soup

Recipe from The Recipe  Critic

Serves 6

• 1 pound bacon, chopped
• 4 to 6 jalapeno peppers, deseeded and diced
• 1/2 c onion, diced
• 2 tsp garlic, minced
• ½ c all-purpose flour
• 6 c low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 c half-and-half
• 6 yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1 inch-pieces
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into pieces
• 2 c cheddar cheese, shredded
• Kosher salt, to taste
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• toppings: sliced jalapenos, bacon, and green onion, shredded cheese for garnish

In a large Dutch oven or pot add the bacon and cook over medium-high heat. Reserve the bacon grease.

Add the jalapenos and onions to the pot and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until tender.

Stir in the fresh garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds.

Add the flour and stir to create a paste.

Pour in the chicken broth and half and half. Continually whisk until mixed well.

Add the chopped potatoes. Heat over medium-high heat, and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Stir the soup occasionally while it simmers.

Remove the pot from the heat then add the cream cheese and shredded cheese. Stir until the cheeses are melted and combined.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Garnish with desired toppings and serve warm!