Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder

Published October 1, 2022. Updated October 2, 2022

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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.

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Chicken corn chowder in a serving bowl with oyster crackers to the side.
4.94 from 63 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: 7
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 503 Calories from Fat 252
% Daily Value*
Fat 28g43%
Saturated Fat 12g75%
Trans Fat 0.3g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g
Monounsaturated Fat 10g
Cholesterol 97mg32%
Sodium 731mg32%
Potassium 1.001mg0%
Carbohydrates 39g13%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 26g52%
Vitamin A 1.118IU0%
Vitamin C 35mg42%
Calcium 96mg10%
Iron 3mg17%
* 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

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252 Comments

  • karen

    oops, sorry, I misread it, thought it called for a yellow pepper, missed the onion, duh…thanks

  • karen

    the directions say to add onion in the first step however it is not listed in the ingredients other than green onions for garnish. Are these white onions you are referring to and if so how much? this sounds delish and I cant wait to try it…thankyou

  • Cathy

    awesome soup. Just made it. The only change I made was that I didn’t have any boneless chicken breasts so I used boneless skinless thighs and cooked them in the bacon drippings till brown and then drained on paper towel to get rid of excess fat. Very tasty.

    I love soup receipes and this is a keeper. Thanks for sharing

  • Heather

    My husband loves this! I’ve made it three times now and he and I gobble it up! I use Serrano peppers instead of jalapeños and it is delightful!!

  • cassandra

    Do you think you could lighten it up and cut down on the bacon and use milk instead of half and half?

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      It would definitely lighten it up it just won’t be quite as creamy and the turkey bacon would be fine, or you could use less bacon and just crumble it up into small bits.

  • Rebecca

    I made this tonight for my husband and two children–THEY LOVED IT! My 5 year old dislikes most food that isn’t covered in chocolate. However, both she and my 8 year old ate every bite! For my family of four this will make main two meals, plus lunch for me and hubby a couple of times.

  • kristen goodrich

    I just made this for the hubby and it was a big hit. Not a difficult recipe for the beginner that I am! He had 2 bowls to start and can’t wait for more. Thanks!

  • Bama

    I made this today-first time husband actually liked something I made from Pinterest-please leave comments if you have MADE it, is my opinion. I used a rotisserie chicken and frozen shoe peg and yellow corn. Thanks for a delicious recipe.