Chicken Bacon Crock Pot Chowder

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 shallot, finely chopped

1 small leek, cleaned, trimmed and sliced

2 ribs celery, diced

6 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced

1 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced

4 tbsp butter, divided

2 cups chicken stock, divided

1 lb chicken breasts

8 oz cream cheese

1 cup heavy cream

1 lb bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dried thyme

How to make it :

Heat slow cooker on low setting. To slow cooker, add garlic, shallot, leek, celery, mushrooms, onions, 2 tbsp butter, 1 cup chicken stock, sea salt and black pepper. Cover, and cook vegetables on low for 1 hour. Complete this next step while the vegetables are cooking – In a large skillet over medium-high heat, pan-sear the chicken breasts in the remaining 2 tbsp butter until they are browned on both sides. – About 5 minutes each side. (Chicken will not be fully cooked during this stage.)

Remove chicken from pan and set aside. De-glaze the pan with the remaining 1 cup of chicken stock. Using a rubber spatula, scrape up any bits of chicken that may be stuck to the pan. Add chicken stock to slow cooker.

Add heavy cream, cream cheese, garlic powder, and thyme to the slow cooker. Stir until well combined and there are no longer any visible chunks of cream cheese.

Once the chicken has cooled, cut it into cubes and add it to the slow cooker, along with bacon. Stir until all ingredients are well combined. Cover and let cook for 6-8 hours.