LIGHT CHICKEN CORN CHOWDER

http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2016/11/14/slow-cooker-light-chicken-corn-chowder/

SLOW COOKER LIGHT CHICKEN CORN CHOWDER
I wanted this for after church (11-1) so in the morning I prepared (in big pan) then let it simmer until after church.  Then I added cornstarch & milk.  We liked it.  Makes lots!  Is thick...would be good in a soup bowl.  Tasted like fall.  Next time I might try cooking breast whole and then shredding towards the end.

Ingredients:

• 4 strips bacon
• 2 large carrots, peeled and thinly sliced (a little over 1 cup)
• 2-3 celery stalks, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced (about 3/4 cup)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14 ounce) can cream-style corn
• 2 (14 ounce) cans corn, drained (or use about 3 cups frozen)
• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (or regular potatoes)
• 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
• 5 cups (1200ml) chicken broth (I use reduced sodium)
• 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 and 1/2 cups (360ml) whole milk
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
• optional: fresh (or dried) parsley for garnish

Directions:

1. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until browned on both sides. (Keep grease in skillet!) Place strips on paper towels and allow to cool. Once cool, crumble the bacon.
2. Add the carrots, celery, onions, and garlic to the skillet. Stir and cook the vegetables in the bacon grease over medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
3. Place the creamed corn, corn, sweet potatoes, chicken, chicken broth, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper into a 5 quart or larger slow cooker. (Here's one I own and love!) Add the celery/carrot/onions and the crumbled bacon (save some for garnish if desired!). Give it all a quick stir, cover with the lid, and cook on low heat for about 6-7 hours.
4. At the 6-7 hour mark, whisk the cornstarch and milk together. Pour in the soup. Give it a stir and cover. Cook 1 more hour. Serve warm with a sprinkle of parsley and/or any leftover bacon crumbles.
5. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 1 week. To reheat, simply pour into a pot over medium heat and cook until warm. Soup freezes well, up to 3 months.

No slow cooker? No problem! Prepare recipe through step 2. Instead of placing ingredients into a slow cooker in step 3, place into a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Give it a nice stir, then allow to boil and cook until chicken is no longer pink, about 30 minutes. Turn the heat down to low, stir in the whole milk and cornstarch, and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Serve.