Spicy Chicken Corn Chowder

Ingredients

• 8 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups chopped sweet red peppers
• 1 cup chopped sweet onion
• 1 -2 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 large yukon gold potatoes, chopped
• 2 cups fresh sweet corn
• 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• jalapeno pepper, slices (optional)