Step #1 Peel or scrape out the insides of the baked potatoes & coarsly mash.
Step #2 Cook bacon in a 4 qt pot until crisp.
Step #3 Drain bacon on a paper towel & remove all but about 1/2 to 1 tsp of drippings from the pot.
Step #4 Add chicken broth, salt, potatoes, celery, garlic, onions, milk, & pepper to the drippings in the pot.
Step #5 Bring to a boil, reduce heat & let simmer for 10 mins.
Step #6 Stir in sour cream & bacon & top this with cheese.
Step #7 NOTE To cook in a crock pot, I cook the bacon in a skillet, add the drippings to the crock pot & then follow the directions using the crock pot instead of the regular pot.
Step #8 I cook on high for 4 hrs or low for 5 or 6.
Step #9 It just has to get hot enough to soften the celery a little.
Step #10 I add the sour cream, bacon, & cheese before serving.