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Creamy Parmesan Corn Chowder with Crispy Bacon

creamy parmesan corn chowder - featured image
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A comforting and creamy corn chowder featuring sweet fresh corn, rich Parmesan cheese, and crispy bacon bits for a smoky crunch. Easy to prepare and perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 4 cups fresh corn kernels (about 4 ears of corn) or frozen corn
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh chives for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon in a large pot over medium heat for 6–8 minutes until crisp but not burnt. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pot.
  2. Add butter to the bacon fat. Once melted, add diced onion and celery. Cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent, stirring often.
  3. Add minced garlic and thyme, cooking for another 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle flour over the veggies and stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste and thicken the chowder.
  5. Slowly whisk in chicken broth, breaking up any lumps. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Stir in fresh corn kernels and milk. Simmer gently for another 10 minutes until corn is tender and chowder is creamy but not too thick. Add more milk or broth if needed.
  7. Remove pot from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Ladle chowder into bowls, sprinkle crispy bacon on top, and garnish with fresh chives if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Crisp the bacon separately and add it at the end to keep it crunchy. Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best flavor and texture. If chowder thickens too much, stir in extra broth or milk before reheating. Frozen corn can be used if fresh is unavailable. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use vegetable broth with smoked paprika or liquid smoke for smokiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: corn chowder, creamy soup, Parmesan cheese, crispy bacon, comfort food, easy soup recipe, homemade chowder

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