A few days ago, my husband dropped a few hints – Texas-sized ones – that he would be tickled if a bowl of chicken and corn chowder dropped from the heavens into his eager hands. Ask and you shall receive. Okay, so maybe I felt the need to make up for the frequent accumulation of papers that I have squirreled away in various parts of our house. Not cool when your husband is neat as a pin on a clutter-phobe’s pincushion. Or perhaps it’s the guilt over smashing his beloved Red Tail Ale pint glass. Whatever it was, my infractions of the “live in harmony” law were pardoned after the first slurp of this creamy, aromatic soup.
This chowder is based off of a recipe from Cooking Light Magazine. Even after considerable changes, I believe we can still call it light. As my husband is rather fond of southwestern flavors and a little heat, I added a can of chiles and a pinch of cayenne pepper. The original recipe called for 2% milk. However, since there was none to be found in my fridge, I substituted skim milk. To make up for the richness lacking in skim milk, I added a can corn to accompany the whole kernels. Oh yeah, and I added an extra strip of bacon. No excuses required for that. The robust aroma gave way to an intensely satisfying soup that indulged my husband’s craving and warmed us to our toes.
Cook 3 slices of bacon in a large saucepan over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and let drain on a piece of paper towel. Set aside.

To the bacon drippings, add 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts that have been cut into bite-sized pieces. In addition, add 1 cup chopped onion, 1 cup diced red bell pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves.

Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add one (4 oz.) can diced green chiles and cook for an additional minute.

Add 5 1/4 cups low-salt chicken broth and 2 cups diced, peeled russet potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
Add 1 cup frozen whole-kernel corn and 1 can (14 oz.) creamed corn, and stir well.
Pour 1/2 cup all-purpose flour into a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in 2 cups skim milk. Add the milk mixture to the soup and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens, about 15 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped scallions, grated Cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon. If desired, break some tortilla chips over each portion of soup.
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Chicken, Corn & Potato Chowder with Green Chiles & Cheddar Cheese
3 bacon slices
1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup diced red bell pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (4 oz.) diced green chiles
5 1/4 cups low-salt chicken broth
2 cups diced, peeled russet potatoes
1 cup frozen whole-kernel corn
1 can (14 oz.) creamed corn
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups skim milk
1 1/2 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese, plus more for garnishing
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt & pepper
Chopped scallions (for garnish)
Cook bacon in a large saucepan over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and let drain on a piece of paper towel. Set aside.
To the bacon drippings, add chicken, onion, red bell pepper, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add diced green chiles and cook for an additional minute. Add chicken broth and potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Add frozen whole-kernel corn and creamed corn, and stir well.
Pour flour into a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in skim milk. Add the milk mixture to the soup and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens, about 15 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese and cayenne pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped scallions, grated Cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon. If desired, break some tortilla chips over each portion of soup.
Makes 4 to 6 servings.



















{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
What a beautiful thick chowder! What a sweet wife!
Came here from your tweet and boy, that looks and sounds AMAZING!!! I just had to retweet it.
Yum.
That first paragraph made me laugh.
I want to a have a bowl of that right now. I love the addition of chilies in that soup.
That looks quite delicious! I think I've made the orginal recipe from CL that you referred to… that's a good one too. Nice additions you made for your hubs. Yes, you are a good wife- wish my husband would at least give me some ideas once in a while!
Oh yum! This looks delicious! I wish I could convince my hubby that soup – or chowder – is a perfectly acceptable meal. It hasn't worked so far, but maybe the creaminess of this one will do the trick. Worth a try!
My hubs will love the bacon in this one! Perfect for a snowy day like today too! Your photos are getting better and better:)
Loved the presentation and the recipe! Although I had no idea what a Canuck was until now!
Look forward to reading more of your blog soon,
Gordon
Trix – This was surprisingly thick, considering that I used skim milk. The flour and creamed corn did the trick!
Mary – Thanks so much for the RT!
Divina – Thank you! I always love the extra flavor that chiles add to a dish.
RecipeGirl – Yes, I appreciate that my husband voices his dinner cravings. Definitely helps with meal planning.
ValleyWriter – We have soup for dinner fairly often. As long as there's some sort of protein in the meal, it fills us up. Paired with a salad and sometimes bread, it makes an easy meal.
Maria – Thank you! Yes, bacon is always the clincher for me, too.
Gordon – Thank you! You'll probably hear the term Canuck a few times during the Vancouver Olympics!
oH YUM….printing
I had to set up a whole new recipe folder sytem this past weekend cause end up printing out so many now.
One small request. Is it possible to include one picture on the printable version? I love pictures on my recipes lol.
Cathy, there is now a photo on the printable version of this recipe. I'm going to make my way through the other recipes and do the same thing. I don't know why I never thought of that. Thanks for the great suggestion!
Looks so nice and creamy and really easy to make. a real keeper. Also love the little story. Hes a lucky hubby indeed!
I've been making this recipe since it originally came in the magazine and just lookied for it today as I'd lost my copy. What a coincidence that you just poseted it yesterday! Must be karma, and we're both Canadian BTW! i love your addition of the green chiles and the cayenne. We too like to spice up our foods. Can't wait to put it together tonight!
Oh wow! This chowder looks delicious! You are a sweet wife because I would have told my spouse to make the chowder her/himself hahaha.
I'm bookmarking this.
My husband would love me if I made this chowder. It looks rich and delicious! Good call on the non-fat milk! I bet this thick chowder has loads of flavor. Can u bring me some in Telluride?
The blend of ingredients is so captivating. Chicken, chilies and cheddar really fantastic!
Cheers,
Gera
Oh my gosh that chowder amazing and I'll bet he believed it was from heaven!
I can do with a bowl of that creamy goodness right now. It is so cold over here.
This chowder looks phenomenal! My husband and I can't seem to make enough soup these days, and this recipe is definitely going on our to make list. Thanks!
All you have to do is ask, and you shall receive! This is a nice offering.
Yum! It's always nice to find a healthy recipe that's still rich and filling, and this looks like it's definitely both of those things.
I bet it would be a great way to use up leftover roast chicken, too.
yes sir-reeeeee, this is it! the changes you made are incredible – my kind of eating…
This chowder looks incredible! So wonderfully creamy! I love the addition of green chilies and cheddar!
beautiful, filling and delicious looking soup! yes, you are a wonderful wife!
I left you a little something on my blog.
You are indeed a good wife, drop hints and voila, dinner served!
Part of the enjoyment for cooking (at least for me), is making people happy with something they love to eat. Sounds like you may feel the same way.
Your chowder has all the right stuff, and perfect for a weeknight meal, or treat for lunch!
p.s.: You did really well on your TV spot. Was that your first appearance? —looking like a pro out there!
Mmm, very warming… for toes and for hearts
I love a good chowder, especially with corn!!!
This looks awesome!!!
wow love the spicy rich thick chowder, and this is one we will love here cant wait to try it!
You are a good wife. I love this thick robust chowder. I usually only make it in the summer when the corn is just picked but now you've gone and given me a yearnign for it!
Love the sound of the chowder. (And your husband is pretty cool, he deserves it!)
This is a perfect soup for a cold winter day, and one that can be made with everything from the pantry. I'm bookmarking.
Sounds like a great chowder. I think my husband would be happy with me if I would make dinner . . .
I'm making this tonight! I can't wait.
How did I miss this recipe? Oh darn the new Foodbuzz! I'm so far behind!
This looks absolutely delicious. I must make this ASAP!
This was superb! The bacon really makes a difference. I made it with chicken thigh meat and it was delicious. Thanks again!
I made this last night for the fam and even the teens loved it. The only change I made was to add some cauliflower…cause we had some ready in the garden. I'm sure I'll be making it again some time
It s one of my favorite recipe. Very very delicious! Thanks! Keep posting such nice recipe.
I found this on tasty kitchen two weeks ago and printed the recipe out. We finally made it tonight and it was fabulous! We all LOVED it. I used gluten free flour mix instead of flour and ran short of stock so used a little water. I was going to rate it on tasty kitchen and was excited to find a button for "related blog post." Thank you for sharing.
I have made and love the original recipe. The addition of cayenne pepper is a must, and I will have to try the green chiles too. I like to add diced avocados and cilanto as a garnish at the end.
It's a snow day here in our part of Nova Scotia, and I'm cookin' up a batch of this yummy soup! Thanks for sharing!!
This soup is so good! After I made it, I forwarded the recipe to my sister and my mom, who made it and enjoyed it, too. (My sister and I are side-by-side reviewers on Tasty Kitchen – ha!) Last time I bought chicken I went ahead and cut some up so it’s frozen in chunks ready to make this again!
I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed this soup, Bet. It’s one of our favorites, too.
Love this little number – can use it for 2 or 20, and such a cozy autumn recipe. I have to say, I saw the picture on Pinterest and followed it back to your site, by which I am now completely enthralled! Thanks for this (and so many other) great ideas!
Could you use turkey bacon in this recipe? It looks delicious, and I may try it this weekend.
Denise, I think turkey bacon would work well in this. Of course, you won’t have as many bacon drippings, so you may need to add a little olive oil or canola oil to cook the chicken. I hope you enjoy it! It’s one of our favorites.
I forgot the green chilies … BUT OMG … did Kathy & I ever enjoy it!!! It’s a real keeper! She’s already asked me if I could repeat it? Da?!!! I used thick peppered bacon, two big chicken breasts – cut into good sized bites (they always shrink up), nearly a whole yellow onion, two large garlic cloves minced, … and liked I followed the recipe to a tee otherwise!!! And man, was it good … nearly two cups of fresh shredded sharp cheddar to the base, and, of course, on top along with the finely chopped green onions & the crumbled bacon. Thanks so much for recipe. Happy & contented on a cold rainy night in Tulsa!
))))))
Found your recipe on Tasty Kitchen and it looks so good – going to make it today. I made homemade stock this weekend and I was going to make my regular old cream of chicken soup – until I saw this! Yummy!
I made this last night, exactly as written. It is easy and delicious…perfect on a cold Nebraska winter night.
As someone who finds most chowder to be too dairy reliant and thick, this recipe is amazing. I use extra bell pepper because we love the flavor but it’s the cayenne pepper that really finishes the dish nicely. Thanks so much for this recipe and your other equally warming dishes.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Yolanda. It’s a fantastic recipe to warm you up when the thermostat drops.