GOOD EATS

Creamy Chicken Corn Chowder

Today we are making something savory, super simple and one of my favorite chowder recipes. This chowder is made on the stovetop, so grab a large pot or Dutch oven, and let’s get busy.

We love soup at our house, especially chowders, for their satisfying and creamy texture. This soup is filling, warm, hearty and delicious. It’s full of tasty ingredients that make you feel good inside.

Creamy Chicken Corn Chowder gets its flavor from a classic and simple mix of onion, celery, bell pepper and garlic. Potatoes add creaminess while the bacon adds savory flavor. This is the coziest of soups and will keep you craving more. A real comfort food and a family favorite. It’s the perfect soup to eat on a cold day. It makes a lot, so be hungry or share with friends.

Ingredients

8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 1/4 cup butter 1 medium onion, diced 3 stalks celery, chopped 1 bell pepper, red or green, diced 1 jalapeno, diced, seeds removed 1 tablespoon garlic, minced 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt and pepper 3/4 teaspoon paprika 4 cups chicken broth 1 cup water 1 pound Yukon Gold or Red potatoes (not peeled), or 2 large Russet potatoes (peeled), cubed and cut into 1-inch pieces 2 cups cooked chicken, diced 1 16-ounce package frozen corn 1-1/2 cups half and half 2 cups milk 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded Optional: green onions, sliced jalapenos Serve with cornbread, crackers or corn chips

Instructions

Cook bacon until crisp. Remove from skillet and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside. Allow bacon to cool; then, crumble or chop into small pieces. Save 1/4 cup of the bacon fat and add butter and melt. Add onion, celery, bell pepper and jalapeno. Cook until veggies are nice and soft, about 10 minutes, stirring often.

Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add flour and stir until completely

absorbed. Add spices. Drizzle chicken broth into the pan slowly while stirring and mixing. Add water. Add potatoes, chicken and corn. Bring to a boil; and then, reduce to a medium GOOD simmer. Cook until potatoes are fork-tender – about 20 to 25 minutes.

EATS Add half and half, milk and cheese. Bring chowder back to a simmer and cook for about 5 more minutes. Crumble bacon over the top and serve with cornbread, toasted bread, tortilla chips, saltines or oyster crackers.

Tips

n Use a rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken to speed up this recipe. n If you don’t have half and half,or heavy cream, whole milk will work fine. Gina Abernathy n n The jalapeno is optional but adds just a touch of heat. Use an immersion blender to blend about half the soup until smooth for a thicker and creamier chowder, if desired. n Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes are the best for this chowder. When using Russet potatoes, I like to peel them before adding them to the mix. n Stir in cooked bacon before serving or add it as a topping.

Recommended Toppings

n Shredded cheddar cheese n Bacon n Chopped green onions

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. I do not recommend freezing soups containing cream, as the dairy may separate, making the consistency and texture not as smooth as it should be.

~ Gina Abernathy is the author and recipe creator behind the blog, Home at Cedar Springs Farm.

Luxurious Amenities: Resort, Golf, Tennis, Fishing, Spa, and Wooded Trails

Everyday Grandeur

DISCOVER A LUXURIOUS GOLF LIFESTYLE LIVING ALONG GRAND NATIONAL GOLF COURSE

Tucked away on the outskirts of Auburn University at the world-class Grand National Golf Course, the award winning National Village offers everything you’ll ever need for the way you want to live. The thoughtfully crafted master planned community features georgeous homes designed by national award winner Larry Garnett and built by Ab and Don Conner at Conner Bros. Construction Co., Inc., a local company with more than 100 years of experience. With the Marriott at Grand National on site, residents enjoy championship golf, miles of picturesque nature trails and lakes for fishing, spa and pool. National Village is truly an unbelievable place to live – inside or out. Plus, thanks to the high speed fiber optic network of Opelika (Alabama’s first Gig City), our homeowners enjoy some of the Nation’s fastest internet for any work- or learn-from-home requirements.