This light turkey or chicken corn chowder recipe is my family's favorite leftovers recipe. It's hearty, satisfying and healthy. 223 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP
Whether you have leftover turkey from your Thanksgiving feast or an extra rotisserie chicken lying around, this light corn chowder is a hearty meal without all of the extra calories. It's creamy and thick without adding cream, and the flavors of the turkey and corn shine through, alongside a kick from green chiles and cayenne pepper. If you have leftover chicken, that will work, too.
When I'm cooking with chicken breasts or thighs during the week, I try to cook extras so that I can have extras to whip up an easy meal like this. It also works well in some of my other meals that star leftovers.
And what did my family think of this soup? Well, each and every one of them went back for seconds. This is going to be a regular meal in our house!
Here are some of my favorite leftovers recipes that we'll be making this weekend.
Now, let's get to this light corn chowder recipe.
The turkey (or chicken) corn recipe:
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan set over medium heat.
Add the onion, celery, red pepper and garlic and cook until the vegetables are beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the green chiles and cook for 1 minute.
Pour in the chicken broth, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the corn and simmer for 3 minutes.
Place the flour in a medium bowl and slowly whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth.
Slowly whisk the milk mixture into the soup, along with the salt and pepper. Cook, whisking frequently, until the soup is thickened, about 15 minutes.
Stir in the turkey (or chicken), Cheddar cheese and cayenne pepper. Stir until the cheese is melted.
Ladle into soup bowls, garnish with green onions and serve.
Other Thanksgiving leftovers recipes:
Leftover Turkey (or Chicken) Lasagna Rolls with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Spinach (Low Fat) {Cookin' Canuck}
Turkey, Brie, Pear & Cherry Chipotle Panini {Cookin' Canuck}
Baked Tortellini with Turkey, Butternut Squash & Chard {Cookin' Canuck}
Printable Recipe
Light Turkey (or Chicken) & Corn Chowder Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 stalk celery diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 4 ounce can diced green chiles
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cups frozen corn kernels
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups skim milk
- 2 ½ cups shredded cooked turkey or chicken
- ¾ cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- green onion thinly sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan set over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, red pepper and garlic and cook until the vegetables are beginning to soften, about 5 minutes.
- Add the green chiles and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the corn and simmer for 3 minutes.
- Place the flour in a medium bowl and slowly whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth.
- Slowly whisk the milk mixture into the soup, along with the salt and pepper. Cook, whisking frequently, until the soup is thickened, about 15 minutes.
- Stir in the turkey (or chicken), Cheddar cheese and cayenne pepper. Stir until the cheese is melted.
- Ladle into soup bowls, garnish with green onions and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Shani Wade
I just made this dish tonight and am very impressed with the wonderful flavor of the broth combined with the freshness of the veggies and homemade shredded chicken. My four year old daughter had seconds! Thank you and continued success.
Kayla
Hi! I was wondering if this could be made with almond milk and whole wheat flour?
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Hi Kayla, I haven't tried those ingredients in this soup, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. You will likely need a little more whole wheat flour than regular flour to thicken the soup properly.
Sharon
I made this last night and my husband and I loved it! Great recipe! It definitely goes on my Tried and True list.
Barb
I've made the chowder twice now and all who've tasted it love it! By request, I'm taking it to share with my Mahjong group today!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I'm so glad to hear that, Barb!
KAREN K.
I made this today.. Absolutely delicious!!!! Thanks for the recipe.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
That's great, Karen! It is a favorite here, too.
Kim Beaulieu
I love this recipe. Such a great way to use leftovers. And that pasta in the post made me weak in the knees too.
Megan {Country Cleaver}
Dara, this looks like the perfect way to use up my leftovers!! Sign me up for a giant bowl!
Frank @Memorie di Angelina
What a wonderful way to recycle that Thanksgiving turkey!
Melissa
I'm curious about this as well.....
Ahna
Is this something that can be made in a crock pot?
Melissa
I'm curious about this as well...
Talia T
Made this last night - used the fat free shredded cheddar from Kraft...DELICIOUS!