Dreamy Seafood Chowder Recipe: Smooth & Cozy Comfort Bowl

Luxurious soups that blend creamy seafood chowder textures can transport you straight to coastal kitchens.

Generations of seaside cooks have perfected this hearty dish with fresh ingredients and traditional techniques.

Salt-kissed ocean flavors mingle deliciously with rich, smooth cream in this classic recipe.

Tender chunks of fish and plump shellfish create delectable layers of maritime comfort.

Each spoonful tells a story of maritime traditions and culinary passion.

Restaurants along rocky New England coastlines have long celebrated this warming, soul-satisfying meal.

Prepare to savor a bowlful of pure maritime magic that connects you with oceanic traditions.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Creamy Seafood Chowder Bliss

• Butter: Adds rich, velvety flavor and helps sauté vegetables smoothly.
• Olive Oil: Prevents butter from burning and brings a subtle Mediterranean touch.
• Onion: Provides a sweet, foundational flavor profile for the chowder.
• Garlic: Delivers deep, aromatic punch and enhances overall seafood taste.
• Celery: Adds crisp texture and subtle herbal undertone to the base.
• Carrots: Introduces natural sweetness and vibrant color to the mixture.

• Cod: Delicate white fish that flakes beautifully and absorbs surrounding flavors.
• Shrimp: Brings tender, succulent texture and sweet oceanic essence.
• Clams: Contributes briny depth and traditional coastal chowder character.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates smooth roux for thickening and adding body to chowder.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious, silky texture and rich mouthfeel.
• Milk: Lightens cream's intensity while maintaining creamy consistency.
• Fish Stock: Intensifies seafood flavor and provides liquid base for chowder.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all other ingredient flavors.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth and subtle spiciness to complement seafood.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers bright, fresh garnish and herbal finish.

Tools for Making Creamy Seafood Chowder Smoothly

• Large pot: Essential for cooking and combining all ingredients, provides ample space for simmering chowder.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for dicing onions, garlic, celery, and carrots with precision.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure ingredients for balanced flavor.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures correct seasoning and spice quantities.

How to Prepare Creamy Seafood Chowder the Right Way

• Warm Up the Base

Melt butter and olive oil in a large pot, creating a delicious foundation for your seafood adventure.

• Sauté Veggie Medley

Toss in chopped onions, minced garlic, crisp celery, and sweet carrots, cooking until they become tender and fragrant.

• Build Flavor Layers

Sprinkle flour over the softened vegetables, stirring constantly to create a rich, thick base that will make your chowder creamy and luxurious.

• Pour in Liquid Gold

Slowly add chicken broth and milk, whisking continuously to prevent any lumps and ensure a silky smooth texture.

• Simmer and Infuse

Let the mixture bubble gently, allowing the flavors to dance and meld together, creating a harmonious broth that promises comfort in every spoonful.

• Add Seafood Treasures

Gently fold in your favorite seafood – succulent shrimp, tender fish, or sweet crab – letting them cook until just done and perfectly delicate.

• Season and Finish

Sprinkle in salt, pepper, and fresh herbs, tasting and adjusting until the chowder sings with balanced, mouth-watering flavor.

• Serve with Love

Ladle the steaming chowder into bowls, garnishing with a sprinkle of chopped parsley or a dash of paprika for a final touch of culinary magic.

Tips and Add-Ins for Seafood Chowder Greatness

• Flavor Boost: Sprinkle some fresh dill or chives on top just before serving to add a burst of freshness and color to your chowder.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the base of the chowder a day in advance and add the seafood just before serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent overcooking.
• Dairy-Free Twist: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a lactose-free version that still delivers rich, creamy goodness.
• Low-Carb Option: Replace potatoes with cauliflower chunks to reduce carbohydrates while keeping the hearty texture of the chowder intact.
• Seafood Flexibility: Mix and match your favorite seafood like cod, shrimp, scallops, or crab to create a personalized version of this classic chowder.

Serving Creamy Seafood Chowder with Style

• Nautical Comfort Bowl: Serve this hearty chowder in deep ceramic bowls that showcase its rich, creamy texture and highlight the beautiful seafood pieces.
• Crusty Companion Pairing: Accompany the chowder with warm, freshly toasted sourdough bread or crispy garlic crostini to soak up the delicious broth and add a delightful crunch.
• Herbal Garnish Finish: Sprinkle chopped fresh chives, parsley, or dill on top to add a pop of color, fresh flavor, and elegant presentation that elevates the overall dining experience.
• Seasonal Side Suggestion: Pair with a light, crisp green salad dressed in a lemon vinaigrette to balance the chowder's richness and provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy seafood dish.

Store Creamy Seafood Chowder the Smart Way

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover chowder in an airtight container within the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to maintain optimal flavor and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezing Technique: Carefully transfer chowder to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space at the top for expansion. Freeze up to 2 months, ensuring you remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheating Wisdom: Gently warm chowder on stovetop over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of milk or cream to restore creamy consistency if needed, avoiding microwave which can separate dairy components.
• Ingredient Freshness: Keep seafood components ultra-fresh by purchasing the day of cooking. Check for bright, clean ocean smell and firm texture when selecting shrimp, scallops, or fish to guarantee maximum taste and quality in your chowder.

Velvety Seafood Chowder Recipe

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4.5 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Seafood lovers will adore this creamy seafood chowder that brims with ocean-fresh ingredients. Hearty New England flavors blend perfectly with tender shrimp, succulent clams, and rich cream, offering you a comforting maritime meal.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (450g) mixed seafood (shrimp, scallops, cod, salmon, or clams)
• 4 cups (1 liter) seafood stock
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
• 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• A dash of hot sauce or smoked paprika (optional, for extra heat)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Base: Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, creating a flavorful foundation for the seafood chowder.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Add onions, garlic, celery, and carrots, cooking until vegetables soften and become translucent, releasing their aromatic essence.
3. Create Roux: Dust vegetables with flour, stirring continuously to develop a golden, smooth thickening agent that will give the chowder its signature creamy consistency.
4. Build Liquid Foundation: Stream in seafood stock and heavy cream, whisking thoroughly to eliminate potential lumps and create a velvety smooth broth.
5. Incorporate Potatoes and Seafood: Add diced potatoes and seafood medley (shrimp, scallops, white fish), allowing ingredients to gently poach and meld flavors while simmering.
6. Season and Enhance: Introduce thyme, bay leaf, salt, and white pepper, carefully balancing the maritime profile and creating depth of flavor.
7. Finalize Cooking: Simmer chowder until potatoes reach perfect tenderness and seafood is delicately cooked, approximately 15-20 minutes.
8. Garnish and Serve: Elevate the dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a bright squeeze of lemon juice, then ladle into warm bowls alongside crusty bread for a luxurious dining experience.

Notes

• Prevent Seafood Overcooking: Add delicate seafood during the last 3-5 minutes of cooking to maintain tender, juicy texture and avoid rubbery consistency.
• Roux Mastery: Continuously stir flour mixture to prevent burning and ensure smooth, lump-free base for chowder’s creamy foundation.
• Stock Selection Matters: Use high-quality, homemade seafood stock for deeper, more complex maritime flavor profile compared to store-bought alternatives.
• Dietary Adaptation: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for dairy-free version, or use cornstarch instead of flour for gluten-free option without compromising rich, velvety texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 325
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 650mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 19g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 12g
• Cholesterol: 80mg