Description
Hearty “Creamy Corn Chowder with Crispy Bacon” brings comfort straight from Midwestern kitchens. Rich corn kernels and smoky bacon crumbles create a soul-warming bowl perfect for chilly evenings you’ll savor completely.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned, drained)
- 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian version)
- 2 medium potatoes (peeled & diced)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- 1 cup whole milk
Protein and Aromatics:
- 6 slices bacon (chopped)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for thickening, optional)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for depth of flavor)
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme)
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 green onions (chopped)
- Extra crispy bacon pieces
- Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Render bacon in a spacious pot over medium heat until it transforms into crunchy, golden-brown morsels, developing a rich, smoky fragrance.
- Transfer the crisp bacon pieces onto paper towels using a slotted spoon, allowing excess grease to drain, and reserve 1 tablespoon of the rendered fat in the cooking vessel.
- Sauté diced onions in the remaining bacon fat until they become translucent and softened, releasing their sweet, aromatic essence.
- Add minced garlic and cook briefly, stirring to prevent burning and to unlock its pungent flavor profile.
- Introduce diced potatoes and kernel corn to the pot, stirring to coat them with the flavorful base and ensure even cooking.
- Pour in chicken broth, creating a liquid foundation that will help tenderize the vegetables and build depth of flavor.
- Simmer the mixture until potatoes become fork-tender, allowing the ingredients to meld and develop a harmonious taste.
- Incorporate heavy cream to transform the liquid into a luxuriously smooth and velvety consistency, stirring gently to integrate.
- Season with salt, pepper, and optional herbs like thyme or chives to enhance the chowder’s complexity.
- Ladle the creamy chowder into serving bowls, garnishing with the reserved crispy bacon pieces for a delightful textural contrast.
- Serve immediately, enjoying the rich, comforting warmth of this classic soup.
Notes
- Add chopped bacon fat for extra smoky depth, enhancing the chowder’s rich flavor profile.
- Swap regular bacon with turkey bacon or tempeh bacon for lighter, vegetarian-friendly options that still provide crispy texture.
- Use fresh corn kernels during summer for maximum sweetness, or opt for frozen corn during off-season to maintain consistent taste and quality.
- Control soup thickness by adjusting dairy – less cream creates a lighter consistency, while more cream yields a more indulgent, velvety chowder.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg