Potato Corn Chowder
Hearty, creamy, and loaded with the perfect blend of flavors, this potato corn chowder recipe is a comfort food dish to enjoy when the temperature drops.
Oh, how I love this potato corn chowder recipe from my dear friend, Tina. This is my only chowder recipe. Tina is family and I wanted to thank her for sharing it with me years ago. I put my own spin on it and it is still as good as ever. In fact, it’s a long-time family favorite. I enjoy making my corn chowder when we have company or on cooler days. It’s the ideal comfort food to warm you up when it’s cold.
Chowder has never seemed a Southern dish to me, but I sure do enjoy this one. It’s the name that makes it seem non-Southern I guess. I picture folks coming in from lobster fishing (or catching… or whatever it is you do to get lobsters) wearing thick sweaters and speaking like the Kennedys. That’s what watching too many commercials will do to ya!
Anyway, don’t be overwhelmed by the slightly long list of ingredients to make this potato corn chowder recipe. Y’all know I wouldn’t have a recipe with THAT many ingredients if it wasn’t good! We just need lots of delicious vegetables to make it hearty and filling. In fact, the green onions and the sweet juicy corn are my favorite parts of this chowder. Just in case that question was burning in your mind: “Christy, what are your favorite ingredients in this chowder?”
Then there are shelf-stable ingredients that combine for just the right blend of flavors. Yep, I promise there is no weird stuff that you wouldn’t be able to use again in another recipe! Most importantly, it’s a super easy recipe to follow and you’ll be enjoying a delicious bowl of chowder in no time. By the way, this is vegetarian-friendly too. Simply substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth and you’re off to the races!
Now, let’s make some potato corn chowder. Gosh, I just adore this recipe.
Recipe Ingredients
- Onion
- Red potatoes
- Jalapeno peppers (optional but would recommend, adds a nice bit of flavor)
- Paprika
- Frozen
- Milk
- Green pepper
- Chicken broth
- Flour
- Salt
- Butter
- Crushed pepper flakes
- Green onions
- Dijon mustard
How To Make Potato Corn Chowder
First, chop the bell pepper, onion, green onion, jalapeno, and potatoes.
You can also use a jalapeno from a jar if you like, or leave it out entirely. But the little bit of heat adds great body and flavor to this.
Melt your butter in a stockpot over medium heat so you can saute all of this goodness in it. Saute white onion and bell pepper on medium-high heat until tender.
For those of y’all just now joining the Southern Plate Family, I wanna say two things. First of all, WELCOME! We’re so glad you’re here. Secondly, yes, you can use either real butter or margarine if you like. I fully understand that budget is a necessary component in ingredient choice. No judgment here.
Add potatoes and chicken broth (or vegetable broth) to the stockpot.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover, cooking for about 15 minutes.
Add chopped jalapeno, salt, crushed red pepper flakes, and paprika.
Then add in the frozen corn.
Add 1.5 cups of milk. Bring this just to a boil and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring from time to time.
Add in the chopped green onion.
Add flour and the remaining milk together and give this a good stir to blend until it’s smooth.
After gently boiling your potato corn chowder for 15 minutes, pour in the milk/flour mixture and stir again. Cook this for about two minutes, or until thick and bubbly.
And you’re done! Doesn’t this quick potato corn chowder look YUMMY?
Feel free to add crumbly bits of bacon and cheese to the top as well and serve with some crusty bread.
Storage
- Store leftover potato chowder in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
- While you can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months, the consistency won’t be the same once thawed.
Recipe Notes
- You can use canned corn or fresh corn if you like, I just prefer frozen. Speaking of, here is a little grocery tip. If you are ever out and about and need to pick up something cold but don’t have a cold bag with you for your car, just pick up a bag or two of frozen corn. This acts as a wonderful ice pack, usually costs about a dollar per bag, and is always handy to have in your freezer.
- While potato and corn are the hero vegetables, you can really add whatever you like. For example, many corn chowder recipes include diced carrot and celery instead of bell pepper.
- To make this vegan corn chowder, you can easily use vegetable stock, coconut milk or almond milk, and the oil of your choice instead of butter.
- If you want to make this corn chowder heartier, add the protein of your choice when you add the potatoes:
- cooked and crumbled sausage
- leftover diced chicken pieces or rotisserie chicken
- leftover ham
- salmon or garlic shrimp
Recipe FAQs
How do you make potato corn chowder in a crockpot?
If you’d prefer to use a slow cooker, I’d still saute the bell pepper and onion initially and then add all other ingredients to your crockpot. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. About 15 minutes before it’s done, add the flour/milk mixture to thicken the chowder.
What do you serve with corn chowder?
Serve your potato corn chowder with a grilled cheese sandwich, homemade dinner rolls, garlic bread, homemade cornbread, or a simple tangy salad like my tomato, onion, and cucumber salad. You can also add different toppings. I mentioned cooked bacon and shredded cheddar cheese above, but other options include chopped fresh parsley or chives, chopped jalapeno, or croutons.
You may also enjoy these hearty cold-weather recipes:
Our Family’s Southern Chicken Stew Recipe
Italian Sausage Soup With Gluten-Free Sausage
Cauliflower Soup Recipe With Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 chopped onion
- 1 chopped green bell pepper
- 1 can chicken broth 14.5 ounces
- 2 large red potatoes, cubed
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 cups frozen corn
- 3 cups milk divided
- 4 green onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- In a medium-sized stockpot over medium-high heat, melt the butter and then saute the onion and bell pepper until tender. Then add the broth and cubed potatoes.2 tablespoons butter, 1 chopped onion, 1 chopped green bell pepper, 1 can chicken broth, 2 large red potatoes, cubed
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Stir in the jalapeno, salt, paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes. Add the corn and 1.5 cups of milk. Bring just to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes, stirring from time to time. Add the green onion.1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 3 cups frozen corn, 3 cups milk, 4 green onion, chopped
- Combine the flour and remaining milk and mix well. Gradually add this to the chowder. Boil while stirring constantly, for two minutes or until thick and bubbly. Serve hot. Top with bacon and cheese, if desired.3 cups milk, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Nutrition
It’s better to aim for the Stars and miss,
than to aim for the ditch and hit it.
Submitted by Donna. Submit your quote or read more by clicking here.
I’m confused… Who is Joe and where is the tree?
Thanks for the recipe! I have some chicken broth that needs to be used so I might give it a try. I really have a hankering for ham & bean soup right now, though!
Christy,
I love Southern Plate. A friend who also is a southern gal introduced me.
This chowder is similar to a recipe my family loves. We fry bacon first, though, and then fry the potatoes and onions in the bacon dripping. Then we proceed as you have, adding back the bacon crumbled. We also use–are you ready?–sour cream or plain yogurt instead of milk. It makes a thick chowder, but those preferring a thinner dish may add some milk. This is a winter favorite.
Congratulations on your book’s great success! Write on!
Because of Christ,
Sharon Kirk Clifton
Thank you so much Sharon! I will have to try the recipe the way you make it, sounds delicious!
Hi Christy, I am a Southern girl by way of Arkansas and Texas who moved to Maine. I love it here but yearn for Southern cooking often. I have to tell you these Mainers love them some chowder of any kind but would NEVER add jalapeno. That is a Southern twist for sure. Sounds good to me as I never met a jalapeno I didn’t like. As I type this the wind is howling and we are officially in the middle of a bllizzard so this chowdah, as the natives say it, sounds pretty good.
I got your book for Christmas and I LOVE IT. You and I must be related somewhere down the line (smiles). Keep the good stuff coming. Happy New Year.
I bet it is cold way up there! So glad you like the book!
Love the comment about “chewed up gum” lol…but this recipe sounds good. I wonder if it would work in the crockpot? We’re freezing in Tampa, by the way…but my daughter still wears flip flops–LOL..but that’s ok, she got me your cookbook for Christmas and I’ve already read it cover to cover. Please don’t ever change, Christy!!!
I was born and raised in the south but to me… mid 70’s means I need a jacket! But I HATE the summer, too dog gone hot and sticky. i guess I should move to S. California, the weather is always great each time I go there… Naw, can’t leave the South!!
Christy, I got your cookbook for Christmas and I came down with a cold too. So I’ve spent the day drinking chicken soup and hot tea and reading your book. It’s wonderful! I love to read cookbooks, but especially when they have personal commentary like this one. I was born in Arkansas, raised in Mississippi, and have spent my 34 years of married life in Tennessee. Your stories and recipes are mine and I love them. Thank you so much for sharing your life and recipes with all of us.
It’s always good to hear from a Mississippi girl! Hope you are feeling better and back cooking in the kitchen! I’m getting ready to make this soup today. It’s in the 20’s this morning and I’ll have a hungry bunch of men folk in here soon!
I can’t wait try this. We are in a deep freeze here in Tennessee. I wish it were 50 degrees.