Shrimp and Corn Chowder
This Shrimp and Corn Chowder is quick to make and full of smoky chipotle flavor. It’s one of my all time favorite soups and tastes amazing. You’ll love how cheesy and delicious it is; definitely restaurant-worthy!
For more delicious soup recipes, be sure to check out my Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup, Beer Cheese Soup, and Instant Pot Lasagna Soup.
With the summer months just ahead of us, I wanted to share one of my favorite recipes for using fresh summer corn.
I like to make this Shrimp and Corn Chowder year round, and usually I make it with frozen corn. But in the height of summer when delicious, sweet corn is in season, there is nothing better than a bowl of this soup to highlight its fresh flavors.
I created this Shrimp and Corn Chowder recipe a few years ago to model one of my favorite soups from a local restaurant in town. They are known for their awesome tacos, but I have come to adore their other menu offerings, including their Chipotle Corn Chowder.
I knew I had to try and make it at home, so I did! I’ve made this countless times now over the years, and it’s one of my family’s favorite soups. There is so much flavor in this Shrimp and Corn Chowder, and it’s really the perfect soup to enjoy year round.
Ingredients for Shrimp and Corn Chowder (See measurements in the recipe card below!)
- unsalted butter
- shrimp
- bacon
- onion
- red bell pepper
- celery
- all purpose flour
- chicken broth
- heavy cream
- jarred chipotle chiles
- diced green chiles
- oregano
- salt + pepper
- ground cumin
- corn (fresh or frozen)
- shredded sharp cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheese
How to Make Shrimp and Corn Chowder – Step by Step
Step 1: Cook the shrimp
Melt 2 Tablespoons of butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 4 minutes, or until the shrimp start to curl up and turn light pink. Remove the shrimp from the pan and drain any liquid from the pot.
Step 2: Cook the vegetables
Place the pot back on the stove over medium high heat and add the bacon. Cook until fat renders and it begins to crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, red bell pepper, and celery, and cook until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes more.
Step 3: Thicken and cook
Step 4: Serve
Shrimp and Corn Chowder – Tips and Notes
- Frozen, Fresh, or Canned Corn will all work. You can replace the frozen corn with fresh corn when it’s in season, or even canned corn that has been drained really well. I also LOVE this with grilled corn!
- Feel free to leave the shrimp out of the recipe if you don’t have any on hand, or if shrimp isn’t your thing. You could also replace the shrimp with sliced, smoked sausage.
- My favorite kind of cheese to use in this Shrimp and Corn Chowder is a combination of sharp cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheeses, though it also tastes delicious with regular cheddar cheese. I also recommend shredding your own cheese from a large block as it will melt into the soup much better.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
What kind of shrimp to use
I use a pound of small shrimp that has been deveined with the tails removed. You can use larger shrimp if that’s your preference. Frozen or fresh shrimp will both work, just make sure to throughly thaw your shrimp beforehand if you’re using frozen.
What to serve with Shrimp and Corn Chowder
Like most soups and chowders, this recipe pairs perfectly with a big hunk of crusty bread. I also like to pair it with a lighter side dish, like Strawberry Spinach Salad, to balance out the richness of the soup.
More Seafood Recipes You Should Try!
- Air Fryer Fish and Chips
- Shrimp Enchiladas
- Salmon Teriyaki Bowls
- Seafood Pasta Salad
- Mexican Tuna Cakes
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*If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
Recipe: Shrimp and Corn Chowder
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 pound small shrimp, deveined and tails removed
- 4 slices of bacon, chopped into small pieces, (I use thick cut)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 stalk of celery, chopped
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 3 cups chicken broth, (I use low sodium)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons jarred diced chipotle chiles
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 2 cups corn, fresh or frozen
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterrey jack cheese
- chopped cilantro for serving, optional
Instructions
- Melt 2 Tablespoons of butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 4 minutes, or until the shrimp start to curl up and turn light pink. Remove the shrimp from the pan and drain any liquid from the pot.
- Place the pot back on the stove over medium high heat and add the bacon. Cook until fat renders and it begins to crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, red bell pepper, and celery, and cook until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes more.
- Add the remaining Tablespoon of butter and stir until melted. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and bacon, and cook stirring for one minute. Add in the chicken broth and heavy cream, chipotle chiles, green chiles, oregano, salt, pepper, and cumin. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat to medium.
- Add the corn and cheeses. Stir, and allow to cook for 5-10 more minutes until corn is cooked through and cheese is melted. Stir in the cooked shrimp. Serve and sprinkle each bowl with chopped cilantro if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Frozen, Fresh, or Canned Corn will all work. You can replace the frozen corn with fresh corn when it's in season, or even canned corn that has been drained really well. I also LOVE this with grilled corn!
- Feel free to leave the shrimp out of the recipe if you don't have any on hand, or if shrimp isn't your thing. You could also replace the shrimp with sliced, smoked sausage.
- My favorite kind of cheese to use in this Shrimp and Corn Chowder is a combination of sharp cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheeses, though it also tastes delicious with regular cheddar cheese. I also recommend shredding your own cheese from a large block as it will melt into the soup much better.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
This looks soo good! I love chipotle in everything. I bet it tastes so good with the corn and bacon together.
i’m a big fan of corn chowder and this one sounds amazing! I cannot wait to taste this.
I just love the smokiness that the chipotle adds to this! 🙂 Yum!
The flavors are amazing especially with the bacon on the top!
It’s still super cold here in Minnesota, and all your photos are making me drool. The good news is I have everything to make this soup, so this may very soon get made and into my tummy. 🙂
I made this a while back when it was chilly outside and it was the perfect comforting chowder! The flavors are amazing especially with the bacon on the top!
I love chowder and this version looks so creamy, comforting and delicious! Will definitely be trying!
I’m a big fan of the smoky flavour of chipotle so am in love wth this recipe. I’m sure my husband would also be a fan of this one!
This soup has my name all over! I’ve also pinned it.
Can’t wait to actually eat it!
Thanks for sharing
Julie
I love corn chowder and homemade is the best!
I love of the flavors going on here. This soup sounds SO good!
This chowder looks amazing! So full of flavour. I definitely need to try it
It is Winter in South-Africa now and your Corn chowder will be most welcomed by my family ! Love the Chipotle addition !
Do you know I have never had a corn chowder? This post has made me realise that I really need to fix that pronto! I love beautiful smokey flavours like Chipotle – I bet this is amazing 🙂
I’ve been totally craving a good summer soup all week and now after seeing these pics I have no choice but to go make it already! This looks/sounds DIVINE!
This looks so amazing! It’s incredibly hot here in LA, but I want a bowl of this anyway! LOVE those flavors and textures.
I love corn chowder and homemade is the best! I can’t wait to try your recipe. It sounds amazing!
Your quiche looks amazing!!
When I read bacon as the first item on the ingredient list, I knew this was the soup for me 🙂 Looks so creamy and delicious!
This chowder sounds belly warming good!
I love all chowders and this one sounds simply irresistible.
This soup looks terrific. It would be a great one to make this weekend. Loving the combo of flavors.
That sounds fabulous, loving all those flavors!
Corn chowder is my favorite soup and the chipotle here is amazing!!
I love all of that smokey Chipotle flavor! I bet it pairs perfectly with the sweet corn. This soup looks like a winner!