American Seafood and Corn Chowder with Smoked Bacon

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-23 · Updated 2026-03-23

A creamy and hearty chowder featuring shrimp, scallops, corn, and smoky bacon, perfect for a comforting meal. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 45 minutes pairs shrimp, scallop, corn kernels for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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
• 1 lb scallop
• 2 cups corn kernels
• 4 slices smoked bacon
• 2 cups potatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• to taste salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 slices smoked bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until the bacon turns golden brown and renders its fat, leaving the pan slightly greasy. Tip: Use the rendered fat to add depth of flavor to the chowder.
2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium. Add 2 cups potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, and 2 cups corn kernels. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes until the potatoes begin to soften.
3. Step 3: Add 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined), 1 lb scallop (patted dry), and 2 cups broth (any seafood or vegetable broth). Stir to combine, then bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 12-15 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the shrimp and scallops turn opaque and slightly pink. Tip: Avoid overcooking the seafood to prevent it from becoming rubbery.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, stirring gently to avoid breaking the seafood.
5. Step 5: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and let sit for 2 minutes before serving. Tip: For a richer texture, blend 1/4 of the chowder with a hand blender before returning it to the pot.