Creamy Shrimp Chowder Recipe: A Cozy Seafood Delight

Creamy seafood lovers adore this hearty shrimp chowder that brings warmth to chilly evenings.

Coastal kitchens inspire such comforting meals with fresh ingredients and bold flavors.

Tender chunks of succulent shrimp swim through a velvety broth packed with potatoes and sweet corn kernels.

Rich cream creates a luxurious backdrop for delicate seafood notes.

Unexpected hints of smoky bacon add depth to every spoonful.

Smooth and satisfying, this chowder promises a delightful culinary adventure that feels like a seaside escape.

Get ready to savor each delectable bite.

Why Shrimp Chowder Is Creamy, Cozy, And Totally Worth It

• Create a Creamy Comfort Feast: This seafood chowder transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious, heartwarming meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.
• Master One-Pot Cooking Magic: Craft an entire delicious dinner using just a single pot, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor with minimal kitchen effort.
• Customize Your Seafood Adventure: Easily swap or add different seafood options like salmon, cod, or crab to personalize the chowder according to your taste preferences and available ingredients.
• Nutritious Meal in Minutes: Packed with protein-rich seafood, vegetables, and a creamy base, this chowder delivers a balanced, satisfying meal that nourishes and delights every hungry diner.

Ingredients That Make Shrimp Chowder Shine

• Butter: Provides a golden, rich foundation for developing deep flavor in the chowder.
• Onions, Celery, Garlic: Create an aromatic flavor base that adds depth and complexity to the dish.

• White Fish: Offers a delicate and tender protein that contributes a mild seafood essence to the chowder.
• Shrimp: Adds a sweet and succulent seafood element that enhances the overall maritime character of the dish.

• Chicken Broth: Serves as a flavorful liquid base that builds the chowder's foundational taste.
• Flour: Acts as a thickening agent to create a smooth and creamy texture.
• Heavy Cream, Milk: Create a luxurious and velvety consistency that binds all ingredients together.

• Potatoes: Provide hearty substance and a comforting starchiness to the chowder.
• Corn: Introduces a sweet and textural element to complement the seafood.
• Bay Leaves, Thyme: Contribute aromatic herbal notes that elevate the overall flavor profile.
• Parsley: Offers a fresh, bright garnish that adds visual appeal and a subtle herbal finish.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance and balance the overall taste of the chowder.

How To Make Shrimp Chowder Step By Step

Step 1: Create Buttery Base

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat, forming a golden foundation that will infuse the chowder with rich, deep flavors.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Cook onions, celery, and garlic until they become translucent and release their tantalizing fragrance throughout the pot.

Step 3: Develop Smooth Roux

Sprinkle flour over the softened vegetables, stirring constantly to create a smooth mixture that will give the chowder its perfect creamy texture.

Step 4: Pour Liquid Foundation

Slowly add chicken broth while whisking continuously to eliminate any potential lumps and create a silky-smooth liquid base.

Step 5: Add Hearty Vegetables and Seasonings

• Diced potatoes
• Corn kernels
• Bay leaves
• Thyme
• Salt
• Black pepper

Simmer the mixture for 10-12 minutes until potatoes become tender and flavors begin to mingle.

Step 6: Incorporate White Fish

Gently add chopped white fish to the simmering pot, cooking for 3-4 minutes until the fish starts to flake and turn opaque.

Step 7: Toss in Succulent Shrimp

Fold in peeled shrimp, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until they transform into a beautiful pink color and become perfectly tender.

Step 8: Create Creamy Finish

Pour in heavy cream and milk, stirring to develop a luxurious, velvety base that embraces all the seafood and vegetable elements.

Step 9: Fine-Tune Flavors

Remove bay leaves and taste the chowder, adjusting seasonings to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile.

Step 10: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top, adding a vibrant and fresh final touch to the chowder.

Step 11: Present Delightful Dish

Ladle the steaming chowder into bowls, presenting a warm, comforting seafood masterpiece that promises to delight any crowd.

Tips For Better Shrimp Chowder Every Time

• Master the Butter Technique: Melt butter slowly over medium heat to develop a rich, golden base without burning, unlocking deeper flavor complexity.
• Prevent Lumpy Roux: Sprinkle flour gradually and whisk constantly to create a smooth thickening agent that guarantees silky chowder texture.
• Seafood Cooking Precision: Add fish first, then shrimp, monitoring cooking time closely to maintain tender, perfectly cooked seafood without overcooking.
• Cream Integration Trick: Pour cream slowly and stir gently to prevent separation, ensuring a smooth and luxurious chowder consistency.
• Enhance Flavor Layers: Use fresh herbs like parsley as a final garnish to brighten the dish and add a fresh, aromatic dimension to the rich seafood base.

Delicious Ways To Switch Up Shrimp Chowder

• Dairy-Free Seafood Chowder: Replace heavy cream and milk with coconut milk or almond milk for a creamy, lactose-free alternative that maintains the rich texture.
• Spicy Cajun Seafood Chowder: Add Cajun seasoning, red pepper flakes, and swap white fish for andouille sausage to create a bold, zesty version with a Southern kick.
• Vegetarian Corn Chowder: Substitute seafood with plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh, and use vegetable broth to transform the recipe into a meat-free, satisfying meal.
• Gluten-Free Seafood Chowder: Use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening, and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Tasty Matches For Shrimp Chowder

• Pair with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: Light, zesty white wine with herbal notes that complement the seafood's delicate flavors and cut through the chowder's creamy richness.
• Create Sourdough Bread Accompaniment: Crusty, tangy sourdough slices provide the perfect textural contrast and help soak up the chowder's luxurious broth.
• Match with Green Apple Slaw: Crunchy, tart apple slaw with fresh herbs offers a refreshing counterpoint to the chowder's creamy, rich profile, adding brightness and texture.
• Select Sparkling Mineral Water: Effervescent water with subtle mineral undertones cleanses the palate between bites, enhancing the seafood's natural sweetness and balancing the chowder's creaminess.

How To Store Shrimp Chowder Like A Pro

• Transfer chowder to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Pour cooled chowder into freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months, keeping in mind that cream-based soups may slightly separate upon thawing.
• Place chowder in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming and prevent hot spots.
• Pour chowder into a saucepan over medium-low heat.

Shrimp Chowder — What You Need To Know

• What type of fish works best in this chowder?

White fish like cod, halibut, or haddock are ideal because they have a mild flavor and flaky texture that absorbs the chowder’s rich seasonings perfectly.

• Can I make this chowder dairy-free?

You can substitute heavy cream and milk with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk, though the texture might be slightly different from the original recipe.

• Is this chowder considered healthy?

The seafood provides lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, while vegetables add nutrients. However, it’s relatively rich due to cream and butter, so enjoy in moderation.

• How can I prevent seafood from becoming tough?

Cook shrimp and fish briefly – just until they turn opaque and flake easily. Overcooking will make them rubbery and less enjoyable in the chowder.

Shrimp Chowder Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy New England Shrimp Chowder blends coastal comfort with rich, velvety flavors that dance on your palate. Hearty potatoes, succulent shrimp, and smoky bacon create a maritime melody you’ll savor to the last spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 0.5 lb white fish (cod or halibut), chopped

Vegetables and Base:

• 2 cups potatoes, diced
• 1 cup onions, chopped
• 0.5 cup celery, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup corn kernels

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot and melt butter over medium heat, creating a golden foundation for the chowder’s rich flavor profile.
2. Sauté onions, celery, and garlic until translucent and fragrant, releasing their aromatic essence into the cooking base.
3. Sprinkle flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth roux that will thicken the chowder’s texture.
4. Gradually pour in chicken broth, whisking consistently to prevent any lumps and ensure a silky consistency.
5. Add diced potatoes, corn, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and black pepper, allowing the ingredients to simmer and meld their flavors for 10-12 minutes until potatoes become tender.
6. Incorporate chopped white fish into the simmering mixture, cooking for 3-4 minutes until the fish begins to flake and become opaque.
7. Gently fold in the peeled shrimp, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and develop a delicate, succulent texture.
8. Pour in heavy cream and milk, stirring to create a luxurious, creamy base that envelops the seafood and vegetables.
9. Remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning to taste, ensuring a balanced and harmonious flavor profile.
10. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley just before serving, adding a vibrant, herbaceous finish to the chowder.
11. Ladle the hot chowder into bowls, presenting a comforting and hearty seafood dish perfect for any occasion.

Notes

• Swap white fish for plant-based alternatives like firm tofu or hearts of palm to create a vegetarian version that maintains a similar texture and protein content.
• Reduce dairy by using coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk for a lighter, lactose-free option that still delivers creamy richness.
• Control sodium levels by using low-sodium chicken broth and reducing added salt, making the chowder more heart-friendly without compromising flavor depth.
• Boost nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like diced carrots or bell peppers, increasing fiber and vitamin content while enhancing the chowder’s complexity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg