Southern Chicken and Corn Chowder Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why does my corn chowder taste bland? ›

Corn has the potential to be bland so the key to using it in chowder is to maximize its flavor, since it's the main ingredient. It goes without saying that it's best to use the freshest corn you can get, so this soup is ideal during peak corn season.

Cornstarch is a great option as it is a natural thickening agent, but you'll want to be careful about how much you use. Start with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch whisked together with cold water to create a slurry. Then, gradually add the slurry to the soup, letting it boil for one to two minutes before adding more.

Sometimes soup just needs to simmer longer to reach the perfect consistency. Check to see if the vegetables are tender, and then taste the broth. If the soup tastes a bit watery, give it more time.

In addition to the chicken and corn, this chicken and corn chowder gets its flavor from a classic and simple mix of onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic. Potatoes add a little heft, while bacon adds a savory, smoky flavor. If spicy chowder is more your speed, check out Ree Drummond's corn chowder with chilies.

Add acidity: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice, a dash of vinegar, or a splash of wine can brighten the flavors of a soup and make it taste more complex. Experiment with different cooking methods: Roasting or caramelizing vegetables before adding them to the soup can bring out thei.

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl. Our Lemony Chicken Soup will make your mouth water.

However, chowder can also get a bad reputation due to the large amounts of butter, bacon, and heavy cream that are often used to thicken it and add flavor. As a result, it can be a super-rich dish.

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

Heavy cream

Use heavy cream as a keto-friendly thickening option for your soups and broths. Heavy cream has more fat than regular whole milk, so you can add it to your soup recipes without worrying about it curdling.

The cooking liquid—usually broth or stock. A thickening agent—usually cornstarch, flour, or potatoes.

Can I add milk to soup to make it creamy? ›

Milk or Half-and-Half: This is the other magical ingredient that turns your homemade chicken noodle soup into the creamiest soup ever. Use 1 cup of whole milk or 1 cup of half-and-half.

Cornstarch, or corn flour, can be used to thicken soup through its high starch content. Cornstarch is a great thickener for soup because only a little bit is needed to significantly thicken a soup, and it will not affect the flavor profile of the soup.

Customarily, chowder included onion, potatoes, and cream. Nowadays, not all chowders adhere to these guidelines.

Chowder vs. Soup: What's the Difference? While soups can be thin and light, a chowder is characterized by being rich and thick. Like stew, it contains large chunks of meat or seafood and vegetables, notably potatoes.

It's a traditional American dish that typically consists of clams, diced potatoes, onions, and celery. The soup base is often a combination of clam juice, broth or stock, and milk or cream. The ingredients are simmered together until the flavors meld, creating a hearty and flavorful chowder.

Sometimes, depending on how the corn is grown or the type of corn you buy, it can be a bit bland. If so, feel free to add a little bit of sugar or honey during the cooking process. That being said, if you can seek out local corn in season, you're likely to be rewarded even more with the sweet, sunny flavor.

The most likely culprit of that blah, starchy, diluted chalk water flavor and hard, dense texture is that the corn is too old, and has had time to dry out and convert some of its sugars to starches.

Use fresh, good quality ingredients like vegetables and herbs. Add a little bit of vinegar or lemon juice to your soup to make it taste better. Use a high-quality broth or stock as a base for your soup. Roast or caramelize your vegetables before adding them to your soup to bring out their natural sweetness.