Easy High Protein Chicken and Corn Chowder Recipe
Easy High Protein Chicken and Corn Chowder is a comforting, hearty meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. After making this many times, I’ve found that the secret to a creamy chowder is using both milk and cream. This chowder is cozy and filling, with a mix of tender chicken and sweet corn. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Italian Pot Roast Recipe and Easy Summer Minestrone Soup with Fresh Basil and Beans.
Why This Easy High Protein Chicken and Corn Chowder Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy and hearty, perfect for winter nights
- High in protein, keeping you full and satisfied
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Better than takeout, family favorite
What You'll Need for Easy High Protein Chicken and Corn Chowder Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Corn (frozen or canned)
- Onion
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Milk
- Heavy cream
- Chicken broth
- Bacon (optional, for topping)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Thyme
- Bay leaf
- Paprika (for garnish)
- Chives (for garnish)
- Optional: Crispy bacon
- Optional: Chives
- Optional: Shredded cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: You can also use chicken thighs or a rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Corn: Frozen corn can be used straight from the freezer. If using canned, drain and rinse before adding.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy, cooks chicken and potatoes perfectly → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Makes blending the soup right in the pot easy and mess-free → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy High Protein Chicken and Corn Chowder Recipe
- Step 1: In a large pot, cook diced bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the grease in the pot.
- Step 2: Add diced chicken to the pot, season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Cook until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same pot, add diced onion and garlic. Cook until softened. Add diced potatoes, chicken broth, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender.
- Step 4: Add corn, cooked chicken, milk, and heavy cream to the pot. Stir well to combine. Use an immersion blender to blend some of the potatoes and corn for a creamier texture (optional).
- Step 5: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with crispy bacon, chives, and a sprinkle of paprika. Serve hot and enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy High Protein Chicken and Corn Chowder Recipe
- : For a smoother chowder, blend some of the potatoes and corn using an immersion blender.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken. It can become tough and dry. Remove it from the pot as soon as it's cooked through.
- : For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- : Make this chowder ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Storing & Reheating Easy High Protein Chicken and Corn Chowder Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: This chowder can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
Freezing Easy High Protein Chicken and Corn Chowder Recipe
Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between intervals, until warmed through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a faster cooking time, use a pressure cooker or Instant Pot to cook the chicken and potatoes.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken with cooked, shredded chicken for a quicker meal.
- Make-ahead: Make this chowder ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer for a convenient meal.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the chowder is too thick, thin it out with a little more milk or chicken broth. If it's too thin, simmer it on the stove until it reaches your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality chicken broth — Enhances the flavor of the chowder, pays for itself vs takeout → Check price on Amazon
Easy High Protein Chicken and Corn Chowder Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Corn (frozen or canned)
- Onion
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Milk
- Heavy cream
- Chicken broth
- Bacon (optional, for topping)
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Thyme
- Bay leaf
- Paprika (for garnish)
- Chives (for garnish)
Optional Toppings
- Crispy bacon
- Chives
- Shredded cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, cook diced bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the grease in the pot.
- Step 2: Add diced chicken to the pot, season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Cook until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same pot, add diced onion and garlic. Cook until softened. Add diced potatoes, chicken broth, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender.
- Step 4: Add corn, cooked chicken, milk, and heavy cream to the pot. Stir well to combine. Use an immersion blender to blend some of the potatoes and corn for a creamier texture (optional).
- Step 5: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with crispy bacon, chives, and a sprinkle of paprika. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: For a faster cooking time, use a pressure cooker or Instant Pot to cook the chicken and potatoes.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken with cooked, shredded chicken for a quicker meal.
- Make-ahead: Make this chowder ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer for a convenient meal.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the chowder is too thick, thin it out with a little more milk or chicken broth. If it's too thin, simmer it on the stove until it reaches your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between intervals, until warmed through.
- Make ahead: This chowder can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 32g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Cholesterol: 110mg
- Sat. Fat: 11g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy High Protein Chicken and Corn Chowder Recipe FAQs
Yes, this chowder can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
If your chowder is too watery, it may not have simmered long enough. Simmer it on the stove until it reaches your desired consistency. Alternatively, you can thicken it with a cornstarch slurry or a roux.
Yes, this chowder can be made in the slow cooker. Cook the chicken and onions on the stove first, then add them to the slow cooker with the other ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Reheat leftover chowder in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between intervals.
Yes, you can use frozen corn in this chowder. It can be used straight from the freezer. If using canned corn, drain and rinse it before adding it to the chowder.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy High Protein Chicken and Corn Chowder Recipe and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
