Thanks to sweet potatoes, pancetta, cream and kale, this sweet potato chowder is so comforting and flavorful!
Sweet Potato Chowder
Thanks to sweet potatoes, pancetta, cream and kale, this sweet potato chowder is so comforting and flavorful!
Ingredients
- 3 ounces thinly sliced pancetta
- 5 tablespoons butter divided
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped carrot
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2-1/2 pounds medium sweet potato peeled and chopped into 1-in. cubes
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried sage leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup half-and-half cream warmed
- 3 cups chopped fresh kale
- Roasted pepitas for garnish
- Minced fresh sage for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven to medium heat. Add pancetta; cook until browned and crisp, 4-5 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside.
- Add 2 tablespoons butter, onion, carrot and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring often, until softened and lightly browned, 9-10 minutes. Add garlic; cook until fragrant, 30-60 seconds. Transfer vegetable mixture to a bowl; set aside.
- Add remaining 3 tablespoons butter to the pot. Stir in sweet potatoes; cook until slightly soft, 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in chicken broth, salt, sage, thyme, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, pepper, cooked vegetable mixture and 2 tablespoons cooked pancetta. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are tender, 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Whisk about 1/4 cup of the hot broth into the half-and-half to temper; slowly add half-and-half mixture to the soup, stirring constantly. Stir in kale; simmer until wilted, 4-5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Ladle soup into bowls. Top each with remaining cooked pancetta, pepitas and sage, if desired. Serve immediately.
