Chicken and Corn Chowder | Ari Zerner's Demesne

Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (1 lb)
• Red potatoes (12 oz)
• Yellow onion (1)
• Carrots (3)
• Celery (2 ribs)
• Corn kernels (2 cups)
• Chicken broth (4 cups)
• Garlic (3 cloves)
• Dried thyme (1/2 tsp)
• Dried oregano (1/2 tsp)
• Salt (1 tsp)
• Black pepper (1/2 tsp)
• Cayenne (1 pinch)
• Bay leaf (1)
• Half and half (1/2 cup)
• Cornstarch (2 tbsp)
• Butter (2 tbsp)
• Bacon (4 slices, optional)
• Fresh chives (2 tbsp, optional)