Creamy Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder with Bacon
This creamy and hearty chowder combines the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes and fresh corn with the savory richness of crispy bacon, making it the perfect comfort food for chilly fall and winter months. Inspired by a beloved recipe from The Peach Tree Tea Room in Fredericksburg, Texas, this chowder brings warmth and nutrition to your table. It's a delightful dish that is both satisfying and nourishing, ideal for sharing with family and friends during the cozy season.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bacon
3 slices (Coarsely chopped)
Onion
1 cup (Coarsely chopped)
Red Pepper
1 cup (Coarsely chopped)
Leek
1 cup (Coarsely chopped)
Fresh Thyme
1 teaspoon (Chopped or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
Fresh Marjoram
1 teaspoon (Chopped or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (To taste)
Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (Freshly ground)
Sweet Potatoes
2 medium (1 lb.) (Peeled and cut into 1/2 inch chunks)
Fresh or Frozen Corn
1 cup (Fresh or frozen kernels)
Chicken Broth
6 cups (Low-sodium preferred)
Water
3 cups, divided (For cooking and slurry)
Cornstarch
2 teaspoons (For thickening)
Half-and-Half or Milk
1/2 cup (For creaminess)
Cooked Chicken
2 cups (Cut into chunks)
Instructions
1
In a large stock pot, sauté the chopped bacon over medium heat until it becomes crispy and browned. Remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside on a paper towel to drain.
2
In the same pot, add the chopped onion, red pepper, and leek to the bacon drippings. Season with fresh thyme, marjoram, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Sauté the vegetables for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and fragrant.
3
Add the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes, corn, chicken broth, and 2 1/2 cups of water to the sautéed vegetable mixture. Stir well to combine.
4
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
5
While the chowder is simmering, in a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the remaining 1/2 cup of water to create a slurry.
6
Stir the cornstarch slurry into the chowder and increase the heat to bring the mixture back to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook until the chowder thickens to your desired consistency.
7
Once thickened, reduce the heat to low and stir in the half-and-half or milk, along with the reserved crispy bacon and cooked chicken, allowing everything to heat through.
8
Serve hot, garnished with fresh thyme if desired, for a beautiful presentation.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is for Creamy Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder with Bacon.
What inspired this particular chowder?
This chowder was inspired by a beloved recipe from The Peach Tree Tea Room in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Is this recipe suitable for the winter season?
Yes, it is described as the perfect comfort food for chilly fall and winter months.
How much bacon is needed for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 slices of bacon, coarsely chopped.
What should I do with the bacon after sautéing?
Remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside on a paper towel to drain before adding it back at the end.
Which vegetables are sautéed in the bacon drippings?
The onion, red pepper, and leeks are sautéed in the bacon drippings.
What herbs are used to season the vegetables?
The vegetables are seasoned with fresh thyme and fresh marjoram.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme or marjoram in place of 1 teaspoon of fresh herbs.
How long should I sauté the vegetable mixture?
Sauté the vegetables for about 10 minutes until they are soft and fragrant.
What size should the sweet potato pieces be?
The sweet potatoes should be peeled and cut into 1/2 inch chunks.
How many sweet potatoes are required?
The recipe requires 2 medium sweet potatoes, which is approximately 1 pound.
Can I use frozen corn for this recipe?
Yes, you can use either 1 cup of fresh or frozen corn kernels.
What type of broth is recommended?
The recipe recommends using 6 cups of chicken broth, preferably low-sodium.
How much water is added to the soup base?
You add 2 1/2 cups of water initially, with another 1/2 cup reserved for the slurry.
How long should the chowder simmer?
The chowder should simmer for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
How do I know when the sweet potatoes are cooked?
The sweet potatoes are done when they are tender to the touch.
How is the chowder thickened?
The chowder is thickened using a slurry made of cornstarch and water.
What is the ratio for the cornstarch slurry?
Mix 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 1/2 cup of water.
When do I add the cornstarch slurry?
Stir the slurry into the chowder after the sweet potatoes have become tender.
Do I need to boil the soup after adding the slurry?
Yes, increase the heat to bring the mixture back to a boil while stirring constantly to thicken it.
What provides the creaminess in this chowder?
You can use 1/2 cup of either half-and-half or milk for creaminess.
When should the chicken be added?
The cooked chicken chunks are added at the very end after the soup has thickened.
How much chicken is used?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of cooked chicken cut into chunks.
When is the crispy bacon returned to the pot?
The reserved crispy bacon is added back into the pot during the final step to heat through.
What is the recommended garnish?
The chowder can be garnished with fresh thyme for a beautiful presentation.
What type of pot is best for this recipe?
A large stock pot is ideal for making this chowder.
Is this chowder considered a healthy meal?
Yes, it is described as a nourishing dish that brings nutrition to your table.
How much salt and pepper should I use?
Use 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The specific serving size is not provided, but it uses 15 ingredients to create a hearty meal.
What are the primary flavor profiles of this dish?
The dish balances natural sweetness from potatoes and corn with savory richness from bacon and chicken.