Description
This Chicken and Corn Chowder is a hearty, comforting soup packed with tender chicken, sweet corn, and aromatic spices. Perfect for a cozy meal, it combines creamy milk and chicken broth with the flavors of cumin and a touch of heat from hot sauce, topped with fresh green onions, cilantro, and optional Monterey Jack cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 2 cups milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (14 ounce) can cream-style corn
- 1 (14 ounce) can corn kernels
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce (or ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper)
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Toppings (Optional)
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breasts and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Then add minced garlic and chopped onion and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add seasonings and liquids: Sprinkle in ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Pour in the milk and low-sodium chicken broth, then bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Incorporate corn and simmer: Stir in the cream-style corn, corn kernels, and hot sauce or cayenne pepper. Reduce the heat and let the chowder simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat. Ladle the chowder into bowls and garnish with chopped green onions and fresh cilantro. If desired, top with shredded Monterey Jack cheese before serving.
Notes
- You can use dairy or plant-based milk depending on dietary preferences.
- Adjust the heat by varying the amount of hot sauce or cayenne pepper.
- For a thicker chowder, you can mash some of the corn kernels slightly while cooking.
- The optional cheese topping adds richness but can be omitted for a lighter dish.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt content.
