Chipotle Corn Chowder
Chipotle Corn Chowder is so quick and easy to make! Whip up a perfectly spicy, smoky and cozy bowl of chowder with just a few ingredients!
I am all about a good bowl of soup. I love how versatile a good soup recipe can be. The right soup can be an appetizer, a first course, a main course or even an entire meal!
Over the past year I’ve discovered how much I love easy and filling corn recipes (like Simple Corn and Zucchini Chowder and Zucchini, Onion & Sweet Corn Pie), and today’s soup recipe is quickly becoming one of my new favorites.
This Chipotle Corn Chowder is simple and easy to make on the stovetop, the Instant Pot or your slow cooker. I’ve included directions for how to make it with all three. I personally love slow cooker soups because they make dinner insanely easy on me.
If you’re looking for an easy corn chowder that is a little bit outside the box, this one is for you! The chipotle peppers add an amazing hint of smoky spice that just can’t be beat.
This is also another super easy recipe for days when you’re feeling pulled in a zillion directions! As a mom I’m limited on time when it comes to prep, so I try to pick recipes that I know I can either throw together quickly or prep on the fly while the boys are distracted.
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Smoky Chipotle Corn Chowder: just the right amount of spice!
First, cook up some bacon. If you’re using the Instant Pot you can sear and saute it directly in the pot. You can also absolutely use bacon bits if you’re crunched for time. If you prefer to use the stovetop, or the slow cooker like me, just cook up your bacon first and set aside.
Cook and then puree half of the chowder in a traditional blender or using an immersion blender. Add the milk, cook a little bit longer and you’re done!
If personally love using immersion blenders for a variety of things, and I think that they make it much easier on creating soups like this. If you don’t have one, here are a few in various price points that you should check out!
How to Customize this Chipotle Corn Chowder
I love the flavors of this corn chowder the way it is, but if you want to mix things up here are a few ideas!
Make it spicier: By adding more of the chipotle peppers, you can increase the spicy kick in this corn chowder. A little bit goes a long way!
Add cheese: Our family isn’t huge on dairy, so many recipes I make I don’t include cheese. If you love a good cheesy chowder, add in 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese when you add the milk!
Make it vegetarian: If you are a vegetarian or vegan, simply remove the bacon and swap out the milk for almond milk.
If you make this chipotle corn chowder, please leave a comment! I love hearing from you guys when you love a recipe I’ve shared.
Chipotle Corn Chowder
Chipotle Corn Chowder is so quick and easy to make. Whip up a perfectly spicy, smoky and cozy bowl of chowder with just a few ingredients!
Ingredients
- 4 strips thick cut bacon, diced (or 1/2 cup bacon bits)
- 1/2 sweet onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced or grated)
- 4 cups yellow corn kernels (from about 4 ears of corn)
- 1 russet potato (peeled and cut into cubes)
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (diced)
- kosher salt and pepper to taste
- chopped green onions (for serving)
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- Add the onion, garlic, corn, potatoes and chipotle chilies to your slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth, season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
- Once done cooking, transfer 1/2 of the chowder to a blender and pulse until chunky-smooth (not totally pureed- you can also transfer half
to a bowl and use your immersion blender). Return the puree soup to the slow cooker. Stir in the milk, turn the heat to high and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the chowder thickens slightly. Stir in the cilantro. - Ladle the chowder into bowls and top with the bacon and green onions.
INSTANT POT
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté. Add the bacon and cook until crisp (usually about 5 minutes). Transfer the bacon to a paper towel lined plate to help drain the grease. If there is an excess amount of bacon grease in the Instant Pot, remove all but about 1 tablespoon of grease.
- Add the onion to the Instant Pot and cook another 5 minutes, or until fragrant. Add in the garlic, corn, potatoes, and chipotle chilies, and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Pour in the chicken broth and cover. Select the manual setting and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Once done cooking, use the natural or quick release function and release the steam. Transfer 1/2 of the chowder to a blender and pulse until chunky smooth (not totally pureed), or use you immersion blender. Return the pureed soup to the Instant Pot.
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté, stir in the milk and cook for about 5 minutes or until the chowder thickens slightly. Stir in the cilantro.
- Ladle the chowder into bowls and top with the chopped bacon and green onions. Enjoy!
STOVE TOP
- In a large soup pot set over medium heat, crisp the bacon. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel lined plate to help drain the grease. If there is an excess amount of bacon grease in the Instant Pot, remove all but about 1 tablespoon of grease.
- Add the onion to the pot and cook another 5 minutes, or until fragrant. Add in the garlic, corn, potatoes, and chipotle chilies, and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Pour in the chicken broth and cover. Bring the soup to a boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes (until the potato
is soft). - Stir in the milk and cook for about 5 minutes or until the chowder thickens slightly. Stir in the cilantro and remove from heat.
- Ladle the chowder into bowls and top with the chopped bacon and green onions. Enjoy!
Notes
Remember that chipotle peppers have a KICK, so if you want to add more spice be sure to go slow!
I hope you absolutely love this slow cooker Chipotle Corn Chowder recipe. It’s so easy to customize and I love how it gives just the perfect amount of spicy kick!
I love corn chowders! I can veganize this recipe by omitting the bacon and using plant based milk.
this recipe sounds amazing… only issue is, i didn’t see the amount of chipotle chilies to use, and, fresh/dried? i may have overlooked it; if so, my apologies. many thanks for sharing your yummy recipes!!! 🙂