Chicken, Corn & Potato Chowder Recipe - Cookin' Canuck (2024)

A few days ago, my husband dropped a few hints - Texas-sized ones - that he would be tickled if a bowl of chicken and corn chowder dropped from the heavens into his eager hands. Ask and you shall receive. Okay, so maybe I felt the need to make up for the frequent accumulation of papers that I have squirreled away in various parts of our house. Not cool when your husband is neat as a pin on a clutter-phobe's pincushion. Or perhaps it's the guilt over smashing his beloved Red Tail Ale pint glass. Whatever it was, my infractions of the "live in harmony" law were pardoned after the first slurp of this creamy, aromatic soup.

This chowder is based off of a recipe from Cooking Light Magazine. Even after considerable changes, I believe we can still call it light. As my husband is rather fond of southwestern flavors and a little heat, I added a can of chiles and a pinch of cayenne pepper. The original recipe called for 2% milk. However, since there was none to be found in my fridge, I substituted skim milk. To make up for the richness lacking in skim milk, I added a can corn to accompany the whole kernels. Oh yeah, and I added an extra strip of bacon. No excuses required for that. The robust aroma gave way to an intensely satisfying soup that indulged my husband's craving and warmed us to our toes.

Cook 3 slices of bacon in a large saucepan over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and let drain on a piece of paper towel. Set aside.

To the bacon drippings, add 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts that have been cut into bite-sized pieces. In addition, add 1 cup chopped onion, 1 cup diced red bell pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves.

Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add one (4 oz.) can diced green chiles and cook for an additional minute.

Add 5 ¼ cups low-salt chicken broth and 2 cups diced, peeled russet potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.

Add 1 cup frozen whole-kernel corn and 1 can (14 oz.) creamed corn, and stir well.

Pour ½ cup all-purpose flour into a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in 2 cups skim milk. Add the milk mixture to the soup and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens, about 15 minutes. Stir in 1 ½ cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped scallions, grated Cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon. If desired, break some tortilla chips over each portion of soup.

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