Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder

Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder

This creamy chicken corn chowder is cozy comfort food at its best.

And now that it finally feels like fall here in the Midwest, it’s the perfect quick and easy family meal for a weeknight dinner.

What Is the Difference Between Chowder and Soup?

So what exactly is the difference between chowder and soup? Soups like chicken enchilada or creamy tortellini and kielbasa tend to be thin and light.

Chowder, on the other hand, is known for being rich, creamy, and often more hearty than soups.

Much like an Irish beef stew, chowders are also chock-full of vegetables and large chunks of meat or even seafood.

Ingredients for Creamy Chicken And Corn Chowder

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 cups frozen corn (one 12. oz. bag)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 and 2/3 cups of milk
• 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast

Equipment Needed

• Large stockpot or Dutch oven
• Cutting board
• Paring knife
• Potato peeler
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Soup bowls

How to Make Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder

Step 1: Prepare the Chowder Base

First, start by prepping your chicken and your potatoes.

Bake some boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the oven at 375°F, cooking them until they’re no longer pink in the center.

While the chicken bakes, give your potatoes a good rinse, peel off the skins, and dice them into bite-sized cubes.

Once the potatoes are prepped, toss them into a large soup pot or Dutch oven along with the chicken broth, frozen kernel corn, minced garlic, marjoram, thyme, and pepper.

Then bring your creamy chicken chowder to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.

*Note, to speed up the recipe you can use 2 cups of cooked and shredded rotisserie chicken in place of the baked chicken breasts. 

Step 2: Cook and Simmer the Chowder

As soon as the chicken and corn chowder comes to a boil, go ahead and reduce the heat.

Then cover your pot and let it simmer over medium heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are nice and tender.

Step 3: Whisk in the Flour and Milk

While the potatoes cook, you can make your thickening agent.

This is what will help give your chowder a thick and creamy consistency.

Start by pouring the milk into a separate bowl and whisking in the flour until it’s smooth and lump-free.

Then set the mixture aside.

Once your potatoes are fully cooked and tender when you test them with a fork, slowly stir in the milk and flour mixture.

Gradually add the thickener to the stockpot and bring your chicken and corn chowder back up to a boil.

Let it cook for about 2 minutes, or until the chowder is slightly thickened.

Step 4: Stir in the Cheese and Cooked Chicken

Next, reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the cubed Velveeta cheese until it’s melted.

After the cheese is melted, cube your cooked chicken and add it to the chowder.

Then continue to cook over medium-low heat until the chowder is heated through.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Then dish up a heaping serving of thick and creamy chicken corn chowder and dig in! I love to garnish mine with fresh chives or chopped green onions.

You could also add a dollop of sour cream or sprinkle on some extra cheese.

Yum!

What Can You Add to Your Chicken Corn Chowder Recipe?

This creamy chicken corn chowder recipe is delicious as is, but if you’d like to experiment a bit, here are some other suggestions for ingredients you can toss in.

• Diced white or yellow onion
• Green or red bell pepper
• Diced carrot and celery
• Crispy bacon crumbles (Because bacon makes everything better, right?)
• Or take out the chicken and make your chowder vegetarian-friendly

Can You Freeze Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder?

Sadly, no. Delicious, creamy cheese chowders like this one don’t freeze well.

Due to the texture of dairy, the chowder is likely to get grainy or separate if it’s frozen and reheated, so I don’t recommend it.

How to Store Your Leftover Chicken and Corn Chowder

If you do have leftover creamy chicken and corn chowder it’s best to let it sit on the stove and cool to room temperature.

Once it’s cooled, store the leftovers in an airtight food storage container.

Your chowder can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days.

What Goes Well with Chowder?

Need ideas for what to serve with your chowder?

Here are a few of my favorites that would pair perfectly with this creamy chicken chowder recipe:

• Turkey Apple and Cheddar Panini
• Autumn Apple and Pecan Salad
• Irish Cheddar Biscuits

When to Serve Chowder

Chicken and corn chowder is the perfect choice for just about any fall or winter gathering, whether you’re hosting a coastal-inspired dinner party, a fall harvest party, or even a backyard fall garden party.

This chowder recipe is also great for casual gatherings like a potluck, a cozy winter dinner party, or holiday celebrations such as Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Whether you’re sharing it with friends at a potluck or enjoying it with family during the holidays, this chowder is sure to bring warmth and comfort to any table.

Other Soup and Stew Recipes from Midwest Life and Style

If you love this chowder recipe, you might also enjoy some of my other soups and stews.

Shredded Beef Chili

Creamy Baked Potato Soup

Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup

More Delicious Chowder Recipes

And that’s it!

I hope you enjoy this creamy chicken and corn chowder recipe as much as my family does.

It’s so easy to make and soooo good.

If you try this recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating on the recipe card below to let other readers know what you think.

Don’t forget to check out all the chowder recipes linked below!

Cheers!

Chowder Cook-Off Menu

Click on the links below to go to each post and see all of the chowder recipes.

Healthy Crab and Corn Chowder – Simply 2 Moms

Smoked Salmon Chowder – The Ponds Farmhouse

Easy Corn Chowder – Bricks ‘n Blooms

Crockpot Roasted Corn and Shrimp Chowder – Vintage Home Designs

Sweet Potato Clam Chowder – Peacock Ridge Farm

Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder – Midwest Life and Style