Imagine a soup so decadent, so perfectly balanced, that it transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary experience. This Instant Pot Apple Bacon Cheddar Chowder is not just a recipe—it's a flavor explosion that combines the smoky richness of bacon, the sweet tartness of apples, and the creamy indulgence of melted cheddar. In just 40 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-worthy dish that will have your family and friends begging for seconds!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cups apples, peeled and diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by chopping bacon into small pieces, dicing onion, and peeling and chopping apples into small cubes.
- Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode and cook chopped bacon until crispy and fat is rendered, approximately 3-4 minutes. Remove bacon pieces with slotted spoon and set aside, leaving bacon drippings in pot.
- In the same pot with bacon drippings, sauté diced onions until translucent and soft, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add diced apples to the pot and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot, scraping any browned bits from the bottom to enhance flavor.
- Close Instant Pot lid, set valve to sealing position, and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Once cooking cycle completes, perform quick release of pressure.
- Use immersion blender or carefully transfer soup to blender and pulse until partially smooth, leaving some chunks for texture.
- Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until fully incorporated and cheese is melted.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with reserved crispy bacon pieces before serving hot.
Tips
- Choose crisp, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor balance.
- Use thick-cut bacon for maximum crispiness and flavor depth.
- Don't skip scraping the browned bits from the pot—they're packed with incredible flavor.
- For a smoother chowder, blend more; for chunkier texture, blend less.
- Use freshly shredded cheddar for the smoothest melt and richest taste.
- If you prefer a thicker chowder, let it sit for 5-10 minutes after adding cream and cheese.
- Garnish with extra bacon bits, chopped chives, or a sprinkle of black pepper for added visual appeal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Cholesterol: 85mg
