Creamy Corn Chowder with Bacon (Print version)

A cozy one-pot corn chowder with smoky bacon, sweet corn, tender potatoes, and a creamy broth.

# Ingredients:

For the chowder

01 - 8 slices bacon, chopped
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
06 - 1 1/4 lb (565 g) Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
07 - 5 cups (750 g) corn kernels, fresh or frozen
08 - 4 cups (960 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 bay leaf
10 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

To finish

12 - 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
13 - 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
14 - 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice
15 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

# Instructions:

01 - Place the chopped bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring often, until crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and leave about 2 tablespoons drippings in the pot.
02 - Add the onion and celery to the bacon drippings. Cook for 5-6 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
03 - Add the potatoes, corn, chicken broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer. Cook for 15-18 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
04 - Remove the bay leaf. Transfer about 2 cups of soup to a blender and blend until smooth, or use an immersion blender for a few short pulses. Stir the blended soup back into the pot.
05 - Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the milk and heavy cream and warm for 3-5 minutes without boiling. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
06 - Stir in the vinegar or lemon juice. Ladle into bowls and top with the crisp bacon, scallions, and parsley if using.

# Good to know:

01 - Best served hot, right after the cream is added.
02 - Use frozen corn straight from the freezer if fresh corn is out of season.
03 - For a thicker chowder, blend an extra cup of soup before adding the dairy.

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