Hearty Chicken Chowder

Wait, what? Hearty Chicken Chowder? Am I in the right place? There's not a single ounce of sugar and absolutely no baking going on. That can't be right. What's happening? Oh yeah, that's right--it's January. The month where we all need a sugar detox from the Christmas cookies, we're still on our resolution kick to eat healthier, and it's freezing cold outside.

After a mild winter last year, a blazing hot summer, and a fall that lasted well through December, Winter has finally shown up. The last 2 weeks have already brought us more snow than all of last year. I'm not complaining--I think it's pretty. But after a long string of warm weather, it's downright COLD now. All I want to do is wrap up in a blanket on the couch with a book (or seven seasons of Supernatural) and a big bowl full of hearty soup.

Chicken, bacon, potatoes, and corn--it's a bowl filled with all my favorite savories. And I was surprised at how easy it was to put together. (Okay yes, I had to YouTube how to chop an onion.. but still totally simple) It's definitely going in the winter dinner rotation. And at roughly 250 calories a bowl (split into 4 servings), it's a dinner (with bacon! and heavy cream!) you don't have to feel guilty about.

Now if I could just keep somebody's hands off it long enough.. 

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Hearty Chicken Chowder
Adapted from America's Test Kitchen: Cooking for Two 2012
Serves 2 to 4 (about 4 cups total)




3 slices bacon, finely chopped
1/2 medium yellow onion, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 medium sized yukon gold or red potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 small carrot, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
8 ounces boneless skinless chicken breast
1 cup frozen corn or 1 (8.5oz) can of sweet corn
1/4 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste

1. In a medium saucepan over medium high heat, cook bacon until crisp, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer half of bacon to a paper towel lined plate; set aside.
2. Add onion to remaining bacon and fat in saucepan and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in flour and cook for about 1 minute.
3. Gradually whisk in broth, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Stir in potato and carrot. Nestle chicken into the broth and bring pan to a simmer. Simmer gently, uncovered, flipping chicken halfway through, until chicken is cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer chicken to plate, let cool slightly, then shred into bite sized pieces with a fork.*
4. Meanwhile, stir corn into chowder. Continue to simmer until vegetables are tender, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Remove from heat and stir in shredded chicken and heavy cream and let stand until heated through, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle out into bowls and top with reserved bacon to serve.

*Note: You can also throw the chicken into the bowl of your stand mixer and break it up with the paddle attachment. Seems weird, but works like a charm.