Creamy chicken chowder made with potatoes, chicken, corn and herbs, topped with homemade stuffing croutons and cranberry sauce for a hearty fall or winter meal.
Start by heating a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat.
Add the diced chicken and cook until it is fully cooked through. Stir occasionally so it cooks evenly. Once done, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
In the same pot, add the butter. When it has melted, add the onion, celery, and garlic. Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.
Add the thyme and rosemary. Stir and cook for about 1 minute to bring out the flavor.
Add the diced potatoes and pour in the chicken broth. Bring everything to a boil. Once it is boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. The potatoes should be soft and easy to pierce with a fork.
Carefully blend the soup until smooth. An immersion blender works best. If you use a regular blender, blend in batches and be careful with the hot liquid.
Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Add the frozen corn and whipping cream. Stir well. Reduce the heat to low and gently simmer for another 5 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
How To Make Homemade Stuffing Croutons
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Cut the bread into small cubes.
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced celery and onion. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes until soft.
Add thyme, sage, salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. Stir for about 30 seconds.
Add the bread cubes to the pot. Stir well so the bread absorbs the butter and seasoning.
Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish. Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 15 minutes until the croutons are golden and slightly crisp.
To Serve
Ladle the creamy chicken chowder into bowls.
Top with a generous spoonful of stuffing croutons.
Finish with a small dollop of cranberry sauce.
Notes
Turkey substitution: Leftover cooked turkey can be used instead of chicken. Skip the first cooking step and stir the turkey into the chowder after blending.For the stuffing croutons: Day-old bread works best because it absorbs the butter and seasonings without becoming too soft.Storage: Refrigerate leftover chowder in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Store the stuffing croutons separately so they stay crisp.