American Seafood and Corn Chowder with Bacon
A creamy chowder with shrimp, corn, and bacon, enriched with potatoes and a touch of cream. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 45 minutes pairs shrimp, corn kernels, bacon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp
- 2 cups corn kernels
- 4 slices bacon
- 2 cups potatoes
- 1 can creamed corn
- 1 tsp thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 4 bacon slices in a large pot over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes, using no additional oil. Flip halfway through cooking until fat renders and bacon is golden brown and crispy. Tip: Don’t overcrowd the pot to ensure even cooking.
- Step 2: Add 2 cups diced potatoes, 2 cups corn kernels, 4 cups chicken broth, and 1 tsp thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, until potatoes are tender and a fork easily pierces them. Tip: Use a lid to speed up cooking and retain moisture.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 can (15 oz) creamed corn and 1 lb shrimp. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, until shrimp turn pink and opaque, and the chowder thickens slightly. Tip: Add shrimp last to prevent overcooking and maintain tenderness.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does American Seafood and Corn Chowder with Bacon take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover American Seafood and Corn Chowder with Bacon?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in American Seafood and Corn Chowder with Bacon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale American Seafood and Corn Chowder with Bacon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with American Seafood and Corn Chowder with Bacon?
American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Easy to customize—substituted shrimp for crab and it was a hit at our dinner party.
- ★★★★★
Perfectly balanced flavors! The bacon added so much depth, and the corn was tender without being mushy.
- ★★★★★
Quick and comforting! My kids loved the bacon and the seafood was surprisingly fresh.