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Plate of slowcooker chicken Bacon corn Chowder
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4.24 from 52 votes

Chicken Bacon Corn Chowder (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)

Chicken Bacon Corn Chowder with crispy bacon pieces and mozzarella cheese! As simple as throwing ingredients into a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time3 hours
Total Time3 hours 10 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Main, Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chicken Bacon Corn Chowder, Corn Chowder
Servings: 8 people
Author: Karina Carrel

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken thighs diced into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 2 carrots peeled, and diced
  • 1 red pepper deseeded and diced
  • 30 ounces corn kernels fresh, frozen or canned
  • 15 ounces creamed corn canned
  • 24 ounces red potatoes chopped into 1 1/2 inch pieces
  • 2 cups chicken broth chicken stock
  • 3 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 1/3 cup light reduced fat cream or heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups milk 2% or full fat
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 pinch salt I use about 3-4 teaspoons - adjust to your tastes
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella shredded
  • 1/2 cup bacon diced, trimmed of fat
  • 1 pinch cracked pepper to taste
US - Metric

Instructions

For Slow Cooker:

  • Heat oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat.
    Olive oil heating in a skillet before browning chicken for slow cooker chicken corn chowder.
  • Add the chicken and sear until lightly golden on the outside, about 3–4 minutes.
    Chicken thighs browning in a skillet before adding to slow cooker chicken corn chowder.
    • You’re not trying to fully cook the chicken here. A light golden crust adds deeper flavour to the broth as the chowder cooks.
  • Transfer the chicken to a 6qt slow cooker. Add the onion, carrots, red peppers (capsicum), corn, creamed corn, potatoes, chicken broth and garlic powder. Stir well to combine.
    Chicken, potatoes, corn and vegetables added to the slow cooker for chicken bacon corn chowder.
    • Cover with lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6–8 hours, until the potatoes are fork tender and the chicken is tender enough to break apart easily.
  • About 45 minutes before the end of cooking time, stir in the cream.
    Cream being poured into slow cooker chicken corn chowder before thickening.
  • Whisk together the milk and cornstarch until completely smooth, then stir it into the chowder. Cover and continue cooking on high until thickened.
    Milk and cornstarch being mixed into slow cooker chicken corn chowder to thicken the broth.
    • Mixing the cornstarch into cold milk first helps prevent lumps in the chowder.
  • Use a potato masher to lightly mash some of the potatoes directly in the slow cooker for a thicker texture. Stir in the cheddar and mozzarella until melted and creamy.
    Cheddar and mozzarella cheese being stirred into creamy chicken bacon corn chowder.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with crispy bacon and fresh chives or sliced green onions before serving.
    Creamy slow cooker chicken bacon corn chowder topped with crispy bacon and green onions.
    • Short on time? Try the Instant Pot version for a faster way to make this Chicken Corn Chowder.

Video

Notes

Storage, Reheating & Freezing

Store leftover chicken corn chowder in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The chowder naturally thickens as it cools, so the texture may be much thicker the next day.
To reheat, warm it gently on the stove over low heat or in short intervals in the microwave, stirring between each one. Add a splash of milk or chicken broth if needed to loosen the chowder back up.
You can freeze the chowder for up to 2 months, but cream-based soups can separate slightly after thawing. Stirring while reheating usually helps bring the texture back together.
Happy Cooking! Xx
Please keep in mind that this chowder will thicken a little more while it sits and cools to room temperature. Add a little broth, water or milk when re-heating.

Nutrition

Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 1.096mg | Potassium: 885mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 2.874IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 201mg | Iron: 2mg