The Coziest Potato Corn Chowder

Hearty, creamy, and loaded with flavor, this Potato Corn Chowder recipe is the ultimate comfort food dish to curl up with when the cold weather has you reaching for a blanket. It’s got a velvety-smooth texture with tender potato chunks and sweet pops of corn and other veggies, making it the ultimate antidote to a cold, grey day!

A spoon scooping potato corn chowder in a blue bowl.

A Quick Look At The Recipe

  • Recipe Name: Potato Corn Chowder
  • Serves: 4
  • Main Ingredients: butter, chopped onion, chopped green bell pepper, chicken broth, red potatoes, cubed, jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped, paprika, salt
  • Why You'll Love It: Hearty, creamy, and loaded with the perfect blend of flavors, this potato corn chowder recipe is a comfort food dish to enjoy when the temperature drops.

Hearty, Filling, and Full of Southern Flavor

Oh, how I love this potato corn chowder recipe from my dear friend Tina. It’s the only chowder recipe I make, apart from my Country Chowder. I’ve added my own spin to it, and it’s just as delicious as ever.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the slightly long list of ingredients. Y’all know I wouldn’t have a recipe with THAT many ingredients if it wasn’t good! We just need lots of delicious vegetables to make it hearty and filling. Believe it or not, my favorite parts are the green onions and the sweet, juicy corn.

Then there are shelf-stable ingredients that come together to create the perfect blend of flavors. Yep, I promise there is no weird stuff that you wouldn’t be able to use again in another recipe! Just a tasty Southern dinner that’s great for entertaining guests or warming up on a chilly day.

Reader Review

“I made this last week, omg, it was amazing! I never made corn chowder before, it is so good my kids loved it too, I made it the next day again for my elderly parents, they loved it as well. You always have the best recipes, I love reading your stories about your life. Thank you so much for sharing!” – Joany

Ingredients for potato corn chowder, featuring butter, onion, green bell pepper, chicken broth, red potatoes, jalapenos, paprika, salt, red pepper flakes, frozen corn, milk, green onions, and all-purpose flour.

Ingredients

  • Butter
  • Onion
  • Green bell pepper
  • Chicken broth
  • Red potatoes
  • Jalapeno pepper (optional but would recommend – it adds a nice bit of flavor!)
  • Paprika, salt, & red pepper flakes
  • Frozen corn
  • Milk
  • Green onions
  • All-purpose flour

Things I’ve Learned Making This Chowder

  • Don’t rush the sautéing step. Taking your time to get the onions and bell pepper nice and tender makes a big difference in the final flavor.
  • Cut my potatoes into small, even chunks so they cook at the same rate, and you get a bit of potato in every spoonful.
  • A heavy-bottomed stockpot works best for soups and stews like this. It distributes heat evenly and prevents sticking or burning on the bottom.
  • Keep the heat low when you add the milk. Bringing it to a boil too quickly can cause it to scorch on the bottom of the pot.
  • I love topping mine with shredded cheddar, crispy bacon bits, and a dollop of sour cream. It takes it to the next level!

Dipping crusty bread into a bowl of potato corn chowder.

How To Make Potato Corn Chowder

1. Sauté

Start by chopping your veggies. Then melt some butter in a medium-sized stockpot over medium-high heat.

Toss in your onion and bell pepper and sauté them until they’re tender.

2. Boil & Simmer

Then, go ahead and add your broth and cubed potatoes.

Bring to a boil. Once it’s bubbling away, turn down the heat, pop the lid on, and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

Chopped red potatoes in a pan with broth, onions, and green bell peppers.

3. Add Remaining Veggies & Spices

Next, stir in the jalapeno, salt, paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Jalapenos, red potatoes, and spices in a pan.

Toss in the corn and 1½ cups of milk. Bring it just to a boil, then let it simmer for 15 minutes, giving it a stir every now and then. Once that’s done, throw in the green onion.

4. Add Flour & More Milk

Now gradually add the flour and the rest of the milk, stirring constantly as it boils for two minutes or until thick and bubbly.

And you’re done! Serve hot, top and with bacon and cheese, if you wish.

Doesn’t this quick potato corn chowder look YUMMY?

Corn chowder in a blue bowl with a piece of bread on the side.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your potato corn chowder with a grilled cheese sandwichhomemade dinner rollsgarlic breadhomemade cornbread, or a simple tangy salad like my tomato, onion, and cucumber salad!

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover potato chowder in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave. Note that the chowder will thicken as it sits, so add a splash of milk when reheating to thin it out.

Close-up of a spoonful of potato corn chowder.

Potato Corn Chowder FAQs

What’s the best potato for chowder?

Yukon Gold or Red potatoes are both great choices for chowder. Yukon Golds offer a buttery flavor and will slightly cream the broth as they cook, while Red potatoes hold their shape and give you those firm, chunky pieces. I personally use Red potatoes in this recipe because I love a thick, hearty chowder with plenty of texture!

Can I make this potato corn chowder vegetarian/vegan?

Yes, this potato corn chowder can easily be made vegetarian or vegan! To make it vegetarian-friendly, just substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth, and you’re off to the races! To make it vegan, use vegetable stock, coconut milk or almond milk, and the oil of your choice instead of butter.

How do you make potato corn chowder in a Crockpot?

If you’d prefer to use a slow cooker, sauté the bell pepper and onion first, then add the other ingredients to your crockpot. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. About 15 minutes before it’s done, add the flour/milk mixture to thicken the chowder.

What other ingredients can I add to potato corn chowder?

While potato and corn are the hero vegetables, you can really add whatever you like. For example, many corn chowder recipes include diced carrot and celery instead of bell pepper. If you want to make this corn chowder heartier, add the protein of your choice when you add the potatoes:

– Cooked and crumbled sausage
– Leftover diced chicken pieces or rotisserie chicken
Leftover ham
– Salmon or garlic shrimp

Did this chowder warm you right up? Rate it below and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
A spoon scooping potato corn chowder in a blue bowl.

Potato Corn Chowder

Hearty, creamy, and loaded with the perfect blend of flavors, this potato corn chowder recipe is a comfort food dish to enjoy when the temperature drops.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chowder, corn, potatoes
Servings: 4
Calories: 364kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) chicken broth
  • 2 large red potatoes cubed
  • 1 jalapeno pepper seeded and chopped
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼-½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3 cups frozen corn
  • 3 cups milk divided
  • 4 green onions chopped
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour

Instructions

  • In a medium-sized stockpot over medium-high heat, melt the butter, then sauté the onion and bell pepper until tender. Then add the broth and cubed potatoes.
    2 tablespoons butter, 1 onion, 1 green bell pepper, 1 can (14.5 ounces) chicken broth, 2 large red potatoes
  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Stir in the jalapeno, salt, paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes. Add the corn and 1½ cups of milk. Bring just to a boil, and then simmer for 15 minutes, stirring from time to time. Add the green onion.
    1 jalapeno pepper, ½ teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼-½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 3 cups frozen corn, 3 cups milk, 4 green onions
  • Combine the flour and remaining milk and mix well. Gradually add this to the chowder. Boil while stirring constantly for two minutes or until thick and bubbly. Serve hot. Top with bacon and cheese, if desired.
    3 cups milk, ½ cup all-purpose flour

Notes

Store leftover potato chowder in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave. Note that the chowder will thicken as it sits, so add a splash of milk when reheating to thin it out.

Nutrition

Calories: 364kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

106 Comments

  1. I make my own version of this.. and I will tell ya its a hit no matter when I cook it. I am kinda partial to cooking it in the fall and winter and I know its getting close to that time when my 14 year old son says “aint it bout time for some of your tator soup” That makes me :)!

  2. My first and only attempt at eating seafood was in 4th grade when we were studying mussels. Talked Mama into buying a can of oysters and frying them, just like my teacher said. Mama knew me well enough that one taste was gonna be it, and she was right! Our redbone hound dog Penny got the second best treat of her life that night. Her best was my 8th birthday cake she got into on the kitchen table where Mama put it to cool so she could frost it! But this chowder I will probably try. I was rereading my Southern Plate cookbook last night and being taken back to my childhood.

  3. I just LOVE the way you post your recipes – with all of your explanations & your EXCELLENT photos – so very helpful & encourage this ‘not very good’ cook to try your recipes!!! ♥

  4. I was flipping through your cookbook last night & decided to make this for a party tonight. I guess great minds think alike.

    I’m also planning to make the pumpkin dip for a gathering tomorrow. Is there a difference between pumping pie filling and plain ole pumpkin?

    1. Yes the pie filling already has spices and sweetener added like cinnamon, nutmeg and pie spice. I always use just pumpkin and season to MY taste. I highly recommend the Pumpkin Pie recipe by Eagle Brand Milk. Best I’ve ever had or made.

      1. Amen to the Eagle Brand pumpkin pie recipe! It’s the only one I’ve used is 20 years! I didn’t like pumpkin pie until I found this and tried it. All other recipes went in the trash.

  5. It’s 54 degrees here on Long Island….feeling very Autumnal. Sounds like a great way to get the chill out at dinner time. Yummy…I will be trying this one.

    I love seafood as much as you hate it. lol….balances out the seafood world I guess. I have never had chitlins…don’t even know what they are but maybe one day I will have to try it.

    Kisses to Katy Rose for her Birthday!! LYB

    1. Oh no, please don’t try Chitlins….they are gross….do you know what they are? They are small intestines from a hog….eaten in parts of the South….so they say…, I tried to take a bite once and could not….they say they are made from beef small intestines too….but this is definitely not for me…..

  6. 42* here in Ky and have a big ole pot of this simmering on the stove!!! The last time and only time I have ever ate corn chowder was in Gatlingurg,TN. I cant wait to try this and bring back the good memories!!!!

  7. I love the recipe box option on this site, but I wish this recipe could be added. It is absolutely my favorite recipe.

    1. I have to go in and hand code each recipe to be able to function with the recipe box. There are over 500 and with the kids and all I’m working on I’m afraid it will take me a few more weeks yet. If I had staff we’d have it done but what I lack in staff, I make up for in blessings 🙂

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