Everyone knows that Chili’s loaded baked potato soup is the best, loaded with bits of cheddar and bacon in every bite of that creamy baked potato base! Here’s how to reproduce that scrumptious flavor in your own home, so you can go back for seconds (or thirds) if you want to!
This is also the perfect recipe if you happen to have any leftover baked potatoes. Now, the type of potato is going to determine the texture of the finished soup, so keep that in mind if you are a “texture” person.
Chilis Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe
You’ll Need:
2 medium potatoes, baked
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup Vidalia onion, diced finely
2 tablespoons flour
4 cups chicken stock (about 2 cans)
2 cups cold water
1/4 cup + 1 Tbs cornstarch
1 1/2 cups instant mashed potatoes
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/8 teaspoon thyme
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1/3 cup cheddar cheese
For garnish
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon
2 green onions, sliced thinly
Step by Step Directions
Melt the butter in a large saucepan or medium stockpot, then add the finely diced onions and saute until translucent, but not brown. If you really want to impart the bacon flavor you can use the same pan that you browned the bacon in, as I have done here.
Add the flour to the onions, stirring to incorporate them, cook for about a minute, stirring gently.
Dissolve the cornstarch in the COLD water, then add the stock, instant mashed potato flakes, dissolved cornstarch water and spices to the pot, whisking gently to incorporate all of the ingredients over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking often.
Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Cut the baked potatoes in half lengthwise, make a couple of slits in the potatoes to make small bite-sized pieces, then scoop out the contents with a large spoon. You’ll need about 2 cups in all.
Leave about 1/4″ worth of potato on the skin and you’ll be able to make your own loaded baked potato skins with the leftovers!
Add the baked potato pieces, 1/3 c. shredded cheddar cheese and half & half to the saucepan, stirring to combine all the ingredients.
Bring it back to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer the soup for another 12-15 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes.
Just prior to serving add about a tablespoon each of shredded cheddar cheese, bacon and chopped green onion pieces to the top.
Now, I’ve been told that Chili’s doesn’t directly add cheddar to their soup itself, however, the Chili’s in our area DOES, it imparts a wonderful cheddar flavor to the soup itself and if you run out of garnish, you still have all the flavor.
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Copycat Chilis Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 medium potatoes (baked)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup Vidalia onion (diced finely)
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 4 cups chicken stock (about 2 cans)
- 2 cups cold water
- 5 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 ½ cups instant mashed potatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon basil
- ⅛ teaspoon thyme
- 1 ½ cups half-and-half
- ⅓ cup cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup crumbled cooked bacon
- 2 green onions (sliced thinly)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan, Add diced onions and saute until translucent, but not browned.2 tablespoons butter1 cup Vidalia onion
- Sprinkle the flour over the onions, stirring to incorporate , cook for about a minute, stirring gently. Add stock and bring to a simmer.2 tablespoons flour4 cups chicken stock
- In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in COLD water.2 cups cold water5 tablespoons cornstarch
- To the saucepan, add instant mashed potato flakes, dissolved cornstarch water and seasonings, whisking gently to incorporate all of the ingredients over medium-high heat.1 ½ cups instant mashed potatoes1 teaspoon salt¾ teaspoon pepper½ teaspoon basil⅛ teaspoon thyme
- Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking often. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Cut the baked potatoes in half lengthwise, make a couple of slits in the potatoes to make small bite-sized pieces, then scoop out the contents with a large spoon.2 medium potatoes
- To the soup base, add the potato pieces, 1/3 c. shredded cheddar cheese and half & half, bring it back to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer the soup for another 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.1 ½ cups half-and-half⅓ cup cheddar cheese
Garnish & Serve
- Just prior to serving add about a tablespoon each of shredded cheddar cheese, bacon and chopped green onion pieces to the top.½ cup shredded cheddar cheese¼ cup crumbled cooked bacon2 green onions
Notes
If you altered the ingedients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cooking/baking time.
Nutrition
If you tend to use a lot of potatoes in your household, we recommend growing potatoes in bags to save some money.
Have been searching for a potato soup receipe. This one really looks good. Can’t wait to try this.
I become famous in my home town because of this soup. I have people tell me all the time it’s the best thing they ever had. I add a few secrete ingideance to it but this is a 5 star meal.
This was the closest recipe to Chili’s that I have ever tried. I LOVE this soup! I did add a tsp of minced garlic.
Next time, I will only use a pinch of Thyme though.
I must have used too much.
Omg my favorite soup and now thrilled I can have as much as I want int he comfort of my home with my boys. 2 spoons up!
I tried this Loaded Baked Potato Soup (Chili’s Copycat Recipe) Recipe and it is, without a doubt, the closest in flavor to Chili’s Restaurant without actually going to the restaurant.
I want to add that this also freezes pretty well. I made a huge batch (triple!) because we had company coming and I wanted to be sure I had some leftover.
I poured the cooled soup into Solo cups a little over half full, then froze them. Pop the soup cubes out and store in ziploc bags.
I thought this was way too thick. I think I could’ve used it for plaster! I added about three additional cups of milk. Also, I’ve tried other baked potato soup recipes that had more flavor. Sorry, that’s just my opinion.
This recipe tasted EXACTLY like the loaded baked potato soup served at the Chili’s near my house. I mean, EXACTLY. My girlfriend made it for me and asked me what I thought. I want to try the honey chipotle sauce recipe next. This is fantastic!
Try slashing some Tobasco Pepper Sauce in it!! Yum!!!!