Creamy Corn Chowder with Bacon

The Story & Intro

Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.

Now let me tell you about the first time Creamy Corn Chowder with Bacon truly stole my heart.

It was one of those crisp early-autumn evenings when the air smells like leaves and comfort. I had just moved to the US, still learning American traditions, still feeling a little homesick. A neighbor invited me over for dinner, and she served a steaming pot of creamy corn chowder with bacon. One spoonful in, and I swear my homesickness melted right into the bowl.

The sweetness of the corn.
The smoky, salty bacon.
That rich, velvety broth wrapping everything together like a cozy sweater 🧥✨

Since that night, Creamy Corn Chowder with Bacon has become one of my most-cooked comfort meals. I’ve tweaked it, loved it, simplified it, and made it again and again for weeknights, family dinners, and even fancy fall gatherings. This is the recipe I make when I want people to feel taken care of.

If you’re craving a soup that’s hearty but not heavy, creamy without being fussy, and packed with real-deal flavor, this creamy corn chowder with bacon is about to become your new favorite too 💛

🛒 Ingredients

One of my favorite things about this Creamy Corn Chowder with Bacon is how simple the ingredients are. Nothing fancy — just honest, cozy pantry staples that come together beautifully.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Bacon – Thick-cut is best for big smoky flavor
• Fresh corn kernels – Or frozen if corn isn’t in season
• Yukon Gold potatoes – Creamy, buttery, and perfect for chowder
• Yellow onion – Adds sweetness and depth
• Garlic – Because every good soup deserves garlic
• Butter – For richness and flavor
• All-purpose flour – To gently thicken the chowder
• Chicken broth – Low sodium works best
• Heavy cream – The secret to that dreamy texture
• Milk – Balances the richness
• Salt & black pepper – Simple seasoning is all you need
• Smoked paprika – Optional, but adds incredible warmth
• Fresh thyme or parsley – For brightness at the end

💡 Tip from my French kitchen: Fresh corn makes this chowder sing, but frozen corn is a wonderful year-round backup and still delivers great sweetness.

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

This Creamy Corn Chowder with Bacon comes together in one pot, which means fewer dishes and more time to enjoy 🥰

Step 1: Cook the Bacon

Start by heating a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy and golden. The smell alone will make your kitchen feel like home.

Once crispy, remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a paper towel. Leave about 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the pot — that’s pure flavor gold.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

Add the butter to the bacon fat, then toss in the chopped onion. Cook until soft and translucent, about 4–5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

This step builds the flavor base of the chowder, so don’t rush it.

Step 3: Build the Chowder Base

Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir well. Cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.

Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring constantly. The mixture will thicken slightly — that’s exactly what you want.

Step 4: Add Potatoes & Corn

Add the diced potatoes, corn kernels, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if using. Bring the chowder to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 12–15 minutes, until the potatoes are fork-tender.

Step 5: Make It Creamy

Lower the heat and stir in the milk and heavy cream. Let the chowder warm gently — do not boil. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Step 6: Finish with Bacon

Stir most of the crispy bacon back into the pot, saving a little for garnish. Let everything simmer together for 5 minutes so the flavors marry beautifully.

⏱️ Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes

Perfect for weeknights when you want something comforting but not complicated.

📝 Notes

• Want it thicker? Mash a few potatoes directly in the pot.
• Prefer it lighter? Swap half-and-half for heavy cream.
• Love heat? Add a pinch of cayenne or diced jalapeño.
• This chowder tastes even better the next day hello leftovers!

Serving Suggestions

This Creamy Corn Chowder with Bacon is satisfying on its own, but here’s how I love to serve it:

• With warm crusty bread or sourdough 🥖
• Alongside a simple green salad with vinaigrette
• Topped with shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack
• Finished with green onions or chives
• With oyster crackers or homemade croutons

For cozy dinners, I serve it in big bowls and let everyone add their own toppings. It feels casual, warm, and inviting exactly how comfort food should be.

🧾 Recipe Card

Creamy Corn Chowder with Bacon

⏱️ Time: 45 minutes
🛒 Ingredients:

• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp flour
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups corn kernels
• 2 cups diced potatoes
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Optional smoked paprika

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Cook bacon until crispy; set aside.
2. Sauté onion and garlic in bacon fat and butter.
3. Stir in flour, then broth.
4. Add potatoes, corn, and seasoning; simmer until tender.
5. Stir in milk and cream.
6. Add bacon, simmer gently, and serve.

🍽️ Nutrition (Approx.):

• Calories: 420
• Protein: 12g
• Fat: 28g
• Carbs: 30g

Conclusion

There’s something magical about a pot of Creamy Corn Chowder with Bacon bubbling on the stove. It’s humble, comforting, and deeply satisfying the kind of meal that brings people together without trying too hard.

Every time I make this chowder, I’m reminded why I fell in love with American comfort food. It’s generous, honest, and full of heart just like the kitchens I now call home 💛

If you try this recipe, I hope it warms your kitchen, your table, and your soul. From my French-American heart to yours, bon appétit 🥣✨