Start by peeling and cubing your potatoes. I often encourage leaving the skins on for extra flavor and nutrients. But for this creamy soup, I like them peeled. It gives a smooth texture that’s just delightful. Rinse them under cold water to remove any starch.

In a large pot over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until it’s crispy. The aroma of sizzling bacon is rivaled only by the final soup itself. Once it's nice and crispy, remove it from the pot and let it drain on paper towels. Don’t toss the drippings; we’ll use them!

In the same pot, add the diced onions to the bacon drippings. Let them sweat over medium heat for about 5 minutes until they turn translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. The scent will take you back to some of the best comfort food moments in life.

Next, toss in those beautiful cubed potatoes. Stir them around gently for a couple of minutes, letting them mingle with the onions and garlic.

Now, it’s time for the chicken stock. Pour it into the pot, covering the potatoes. Bring it to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, and let it simmer until the potatoes are tender—about 15 to 20 minutes should do it.

Once the potatoes easily crush with the touch of a fork, it’s time to blend. Use an immersion blender for a smooth consistency right in the pot. If you don’t have one, carefully transfer the soup to a regular blender in batches. Blend until it's creamy and smooth.

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour with a cup of the soup until there are no lumps. This will help thicken the mixture. Add this back into the pot along with the milk and heavy cream. Stir until well combined.

Add the kosher salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and sharp cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted and the soup is creamy. Don’t forget to taste! This is your chance to adjust salt and pepper according to your liking.

Now for the fun part! Stir in the sour cream for an extra layer of creaminess. Finally, sprinkle the crispy bacon and chopped chives on top.

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with extra cheese, green onions, or whatever toppings you fancy. I promise, your friends and family will be coming back for seconds.