Description
Creamy New England Clam Chowder is a rich and savory soup packed with tender clams, hearty potatoes, smoky bacon, and velvety broth. Perfect for cozy dinners or as a starter for special occasions. Serve with crusty bread or oyster crackers for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chowder:
- 4 slices of bacon, diced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup bottled clam juice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cans (6.5 oz each) chopped clams, with juice
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Crispy bacon
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon:
- In a large pot, cook diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon drippings in the pot.
- Sauté Vegetables:
- Add onion and celery to the bacon drippings. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook the Potatoes:
- Add diced potatoes, clam juice, and chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
- Thicken the Chowder:
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour and heavy cream until smooth. Slowly stir the mixture into the pot, cooking for about 5 minutes until the chowder thickens.
- Add Clams and Seasonings:
- Stir in chopped clams (with their juice), dried thyme, and smoked paprika (if using). Simmer for another 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve and Garnish:
- Ladle the chowder into bowls. Garnish with crispy bacon and fresh parsley. Serve hot with crusty bread or oyster crackers.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- To enhance the flavor, add a splash of white wine or a pinch of Old Bay seasoning.
- Avoid freezing, as the cream and potatoes may separate when thawed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1/6 of the recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 880 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: New England clam chowder, creamy clam chowder, hearty seafood soup, classic chowder recipe, easy dinner idea