Creamy Seafood Chowder
A rich and comforting chowder with tender clams, creamy potatoes, and a hint of thyme. Serve with crusty bread for a hearty meal. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 65 minutes pairs (scrubbed) clams, (diced) potatoes, (diced) onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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 (scrubbed) clams
- 2 cups (diced) potatoes
- 1 (diced) onion
- 2 stalks (sliced) celery
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 4 cups milk
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (grated) cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, melt 4 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and 2 sliced celery stalks, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Sprinkle in 2 tbsp flour and stir for 1 minute until golden. Gradually pour in 4 cups milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 3: Add 2 cups diced potatoes and 1 tsp thyme. Cook for 10-12 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 lb clams and 1/4 cup heavy cream. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the clams open and the broth thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper, then serve hot with crusty bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Seafood Chowder take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 min prep + 40 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 Creamy Seafood Chowder?
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 (scrubbed) clams from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Seafood Chowder?
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 Creamy Seafood Chowder 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 Creamy Seafood Chowder?
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
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
