Step 1: If you want, cook the bacon.
Put bacon in a big pot and heat it over medium-low heat. Cook the bacon until it gets crispy. After the bacon is done, take it out of the pot and set it away. Leave the bacon fat in the pot.
Step 2: Cook the vegetables in oil.
Put the butter (or just the bacon fat) in the same pot and melt it over medium-low heat. Put in the garlic, onions, carrots, celery, and salt. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, until the veggies are soft and smell good.
Step 3: Put in the potatoes and corn.
Add the chicken and diced potatoes and mix them in. Add two to three more minutes of cooking to let the flavors blend.
Step 4: Put in the broth and spices.
Add the oregano and the chicken or veggie stock. Mix everything together, then bring it to a boil. Let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft.
Step 5: If you want to, thicken the chowder.
If you want the soup to be thicker, mix the flour into the heavy cream or half-and-half until it is smooth. Add the cream mixture and stir it in. Cook for 5 more minutes, so the soup can get thicker.
Step 6: Season the bacon and add it.
Feel free to add more salt and pepper to your liking. If you cooked the bacon ahead of time, add the crispy bits now or sprinkle them on top when you're ready to serve.
Step 7: Serve and decorate
Put bowls of the creamy corn soup on the table and top them with chopped parsley or chives. For a full meal, serve warm with crackers or fresh bread.
Notes on Cooking
Fresh vs. Frozen Corn: Fresh corn will make the soup taste better, but frozen corn works just as well and is faster.
Blending: You can use an immersion blender or a regular blender to blend some of the soup to make it smoother. To get the right mix of thick and creamy, blend about half of the soup and then stir it back into the pot.
If you don't want to eat meat, just leave out the bacon and use veggie soup instead of chicken stock in this dish.
Some changes
1. Corn chowder with chili
For extra heat, add 1 jalapeño cut into small pieces or a pinch of chili pepper. You can also add hot sauce on top before serving.
2. Chowder with Shrimp and Corn
Add clams, shrimp, or crab meat in the last 5 to 10 minutes of cooking to make it a rich seafood soup.
3. Cheesy corn soup
After you add the cream, shred 1 cup of cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese into the chowder for a rich and cheesy version of the standard.
4. Corn chowder without meat
If you don't want the bacon, use coconut milk or almond milk instead of heavy cream in this soup. You could also use a veggie butter instead.
Keto Version and Low-Carb Changes
If you want to make this soup keto-friendly, make these changes:
To lower the carb count, swap out the potatoes for cabbage spears or turnips.
To make something creamy, use heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk.
Instead of adding flour, let the soup shrink on its own or mix some of it to make it thicker.
With these changes, the soup will still taste great and be low in carbs.
Questions That Are Often Asked
Q: Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes! You can make this soup ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to three days. Just heat it up on medium-low heat on the stove until it's warm all the way through.
Can I put this corn soup in the freezer?
Soup can be frozen for up to three months. But if you use cream, the structure might be a little different after it thaws. In order to avoid this, freeze the soup before adding the cream. When you're ready to eat it again, stir in the cream.
How can I make this soup go further?
Half of the soup can be blended, flour can be added, or mashed potatoes or a small amount of cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) can be stirred in.
WHAT SHOULD I SERVE WITH THIS CRAWL?
You can eat this soup with biscuits, baked bread, or even a simple green salad. It's also great as a side dish for fish or meats that have been cooked.
This Creamy Corn Chowder has the right amount of sweet, spicy, and hearty flavors to keep you warm and satisfy your pain for comfort food. You can serve this soup as a main dish or a side dish. It's easy to make and can be changed to fit any diet or taste. Feel free to try it for a nice dinner, and don't forget the toppings to make it even better!