Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder

Published October 1, 2022. Updated October 2, 2022

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder – A rich and creamy soup made with tender rotisserie chicken, hearty potatoes, flavorful peppers, sweet corn and crisp bacon finish. It’s a fall staple!

Chicken corn chowder in a serving bowl with oyster crackers to the side.

Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder

This is the coziest of soups! It’s loaded to the max with delicious, fresh ingredients and it’s that creamy broth and salty bacon that will keep you craving more.

It has a handy shortcut of pre-cooked chicken, which can be from a rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken.

From there it’s just a bit of chopping, sautéing and allowing enough time on the stovetop to simmer to perfection.

Serve it with cornbread or 1-hour dinner rolls for an ideally comforting meal.

Ingredients for chicken corn chowder soup.

Chicken Corn Chowder Soup Recipe Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (from a rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken breasts or thighs)
  • 8 slices cooked bacon, chopped
  • 1/4 cup butter, diced into 1 Tbsp pieces
  • 1 large red bell pepper, diced (1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (1 1/4 cups)
  • 1 – 2 jalapeños, seeds and ribs removed for less heat if desired, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 medium (22 oz) russet potatoes, peeled and chopped slightly less than 1/2-inch thick (3 cups)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn
  • 1 1/2 cups half and half
    Collage of photos showing how to make creamy chicken corn chowder on the stovetop.

How to Make Chicken Corn Chowder

  • In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add red bell pepper, onions, jalapenos and saute until tender, about 3 minutes.
  • Add garlic and cook 30 seconds longer. Stir in flour, and cook 2 minutes stirring constantly.
  • While stirring, slowly pour in chicken broth. Add potatoes, bay leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Bring mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook, uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.
  • Add in cooked chicken, corn and half and half and simmer, uncovered 5 minutes longer, stirring occasionally.
  • Serve warm topped with cooked bacon and optional green onions and cheese.

 

Close up photo of creamy chicken corn chowder in a pot.

Possible Substitutes and Variations

  • Alternate potatoes: Red potatoes or Yukons would work here as well. The soup just won’t be quite as thick since the potatoes aren’t as starchy.
  • Mild soup: If you aren’t a fan of heat you can omit the jalapeño.
  • Use up the bacon fat: Instead of using butter you can replace it with rendered bacon fat by cooking the bacon beforehand.
  • Sub ham for bacon: For a cheaper alternative you can finish the soup with chopped cooked ham instead of bacon. This is a great option if you have some left from a ham roast.
  • Herbs: For an herby soup you can mix in some thyme, rosemary and parsley.

 

 

Recommended Toppings

We like to serve this with:

  • Shredded cheddar cheese (medium or sharp)
  • Chopped green onions
  • Crushed tortilla chips or oyster crackers

Storage

  • It will keep in the fridge in an airtight container up to 3 days.
  • Freezing this soup isn’t recommended. The potatoes would become mushy and broth would end up separated and thinned.

Two servings of chicken corn chowder in red bowls sitting over a green cloth on a marble surface.

More Delicious Chowders To Try;

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

Chicken corn chowder in a serving bowl with oyster crackers to the side.
4.95 from 60 votes

Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder

This chowder will quickly become a go-to recipe! It's loaded with chicken, veggies and rich creamy broth. Delicious comfort food!
Servings: 3
Prep15 minutes
Cook40 minutes
Ready in: 55 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add red bell pepper, onions, jalapenos and saute until tender, about 3 minutes.
  • Add garlic and cook 30 seconds longer. Stir in flour, and cook 2 minutes stirring constantly.
  • While stirring, slowly pour in chicken broth. Add potatoes, bay leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Bring mixture to a simmer stirring frequently, then reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.
  • Add in cooked chicken, corn and half and half and simmer, uncovered 5 minutes longer, stirring occasionally.
  • Serve warm topped with cooked bacon and optional green onions and cheese.

Notes

  • *If cooking your own chicken begin with about 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs. You can cook it in the soup with the potatoes, just cook to 165 degrees in center.
  • Recipe makes about 14 cups.
Nutrition Facts
Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder
Amount Per Serving
Calories 497 Calories from Fat 234
% Daily Value*
Fat 26g40%
Saturated Fat 12g75%
Cholesterol 94mg31%
Sodium 388mg17%
Potassium 1103mg32%
Carbohydrates 40g13%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 27g54%
Vitamin A 1090IU22%
Vitamin C 32.9mg40%
Calcium 88mg9%
Iron 2.3mg13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.
Photos updated Oct 2022. Recipe adapted with some changes from BHG

Leave a Comment

Rate this recipe




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

245 Comments

  • RUBY L BROWN

    Nice soup. Please add me to your email list to follow you. Thank you, RUBY L BROWN

  • Judy

    I’m a soup lover too, especially in the winter & this one sounds really promising. The bacon picture below the recipe makes me wonder if it wouldn’t be even better with bacon added.
    One thing though, if you cook the potatoes until they’re just done & then cook them another 10 to 15 minutes after the other stuff is added in, wouldn’t the additional cooking time turn them to mush?

    • Judy

      Oops…didn’t see the bacon in the recipe….guess it would be better with bacon….lol at myself.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      You can adjust that according to your taste, it doesn’t turn them to mush but they should be very soft by the end of cooking (which is what I prefer with soup in potatoes). You could cook until almost tender if you want then simmer 10 more. I hope you love this soup Judy!

    • Tiffany

      This was really good. I had pressure cooked a chicken in my Instant Pot, so I saved the bone broth from that to make a chowder. I omitted the red pepper but I’ll give it a try next time. I put the bacon directly in the soup and that was fine. I also used some of “Emeril’s Essence” seasoning for a bit more of a kick. My husband loved it!

  • Dinimae

    This is hands down the best soup I’ve made in years. I used one ear of white corn and one of yellow. Absolutely delicious.

  • nicole

    would it be okay if i use whole milk instead of half and half, besides it being not as rich? i’m making it for myself and my mom, and she’s not a fan of half and half

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Yes, just like you said it wound be as rich or quite as creamy and thick but it should still taste good.

  • Jan L.

    I made this soup today (September 1). I love to try different soups in the fall. This one is very good. The family all gave it thumbs up. Will definately make again.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Awesome! I’m glad they gave it a good review :)! Thanks for your comment Jan!

  • Jamie

    Just made this and it is absolutely DELISH!!!!! Only thing I did differently was added the bacon to the chowder instead of topping it with bacon. Great recipe and can’t wait to make it again! YumYumYum!

  • Valerie

    I make this every summer when the fresh corn is out. My family can’t get enough of it.

  • Erin

    Made this soup over the weekend and it was delicious. I did sprinkle shredded cheese on top along with the bacon bits and green onions.