Creamy Jalapeño Corn Chowder Recipe
This Creamy Jalapeño Corn Chowder is a delightful and comforting soup that combines the natural sweetness of corn with the subtle heat of jalapeños, balanced by smoked paprika and cumin. It’s a perfect cozy meal for any day, rich and creamy, yet simple and quick to prepare, with an option to make it dairy-free using coconut cream.
- Author: Ella
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering, Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 4 cups fresh or frozen sweet corn kernels
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium jalapeños, chopped (remove seeds for less heat)
- 1 large Yukon gold potato, peeled and diced
Liquids and Dairy
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for a dairy-free option)
Spices and Oils
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnishes
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
- Sauté the Base: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until translucent, allowing the natural sweetness to develop.
- Add Garlic and Jalapeños: Stir in the minced garlic and chopped jalapeños. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until fragrant, releasing their flavors into the oil.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the diced potato and corn kernels to the pot. Stir everything together to mix the flavors evenly.
- Pour Broth and Simmer: Slowly pour in the vegetable broth, bringing the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, uncovered, for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Blend the Chowder: Using an immersion blender, carefully purée the chowder to your desired creaminess. For a chunkier texture, blend only half of the soup and leave the rest intact.
- Add Cream and Spices: Stir in the heavy cream or coconut cream, smoked paprika, and ground cumin. Let it simmer gently for another 5-10 minutes to meld the flavors together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Ladle the chowder into bowls, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve hot and enjoy the creamy, spicy goodness.
Notes
- For a milder chowder, remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños before chopping.
- You can use frozen corn if fresh corn is not available; just thaw before use.
- To make this chowder vegan, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use a vegetable broth that is vegan-friendly.
- The immersion blender allows control over the soup texture; alternatively, use a regular blender in batches carefully.
- Adjust seasoning at the end to suit your taste preference.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and freeze nicely for up to 1 month.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: corn chowder, jalapeño soup, creamy soup, vegetarian chowder, easy soup recipe, spicy corn chowder, comfort food