Warm & Comforting Creamy Seafood Chowder Recipe for Cozy Nights

Warm, comforting bowls of creamy seafood chowder have a way of transporting you to coastal kitchens with their rich, velvety embrace.

Fishermen’s traditions blend seamlessly with modern culinary techniques in this soul-warming dish.

Tender chunks of fresh seafood swim delicately through a silky broth, creating layers of oceanic flavor.

Each spoonful promises a delightful harmony of textures and tastes that dance across your palate.

The recipe captures the essence of seaside comfort, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Hearty and satisfying, this chowder stands ready to become your new favorite comfort food.

Prepare to savor every luxurious bite of this maritime masterpiece.

Creamy Seafood Chowder Warmth in Every Spoonful

• Dive into a luxurious seafood experience with a rich blend of fish, scallops, shrimp, and clams that bring the taste of coastal dining right to your kitchen.
• Enjoy a hassle-free meal that comes together in a single pot, minimizing cleanup and maximizing deliciousness for busy home cooks.
• Impress friends and family with a restaurant-quality chowder that looks and tastes like a gourmet culinary creation, without requiring professional chef skills.
• Easily adapt the recipe by swapping or adding different seafood and vegetables based on what's fresh and available in your local market.

Seafood Chowder Ingredient Essentials

• Fish: A delicate protein that adds a mild, oceanic flavor to the chowder.
• Scallops: Tender and sweet seafood that brings a luxurious texture to the dish.
• Shrimp: Succulent shellfish that provides a rich, marine taste.
• Clams: Classic seafood that contributes a briny depth to the chowder.

• Onion: A foundational vegetable that creates a sweet and savory flavor profile.
• Butter: A rich ingredient that helps develop a smooth and creamy base.

• Carrots, Celery: Classic vegetables that add subtle sweetness and aromatic depth.
• Potatoes: Hearty root vegetable that provides thickness and substance to the chowder.
• Corn Kernels: Sweet vegetable that introduces a pleasant pop of texture.
• Thyme: A fragrant herb that enhances the overall flavor of the seafood.

• Broth: A flavorful liquid that forms the foundation of the chowder.
• Wine: An ingredient that adds complexity and depth to the dish.
• Flour: A thickening agent that helps create a creamy consistency.
• Old Bay Seasoning: A signature spice blend that provides a classic seafood flavor.

• Heavy Cream: A rich dairy product that creates a luxurious, smooth texture.
• Parsley: A fresh herb that adds a bright, clean finish to the chowder.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall taste.

Equipment for Creamy Chowder Preparation

• Large pot: Heavy-bottomed and spacious for simmering chowder ingredients.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching pot surface.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for dicing onions, chopping vegetables, and preparing seafood.
• Sharp knife: Essential for precise vegetable and seafood preparation.
• Measuring cups: Accurate measuring of broth, wine, and cream.
• Measuring spoons: For precise seasoning with Old Bay, thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Ladle: Helps serve chowder smoothly into bowls.

Step by Step Creamy Seafood Chowder

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics

Warm a generous pat of butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.

Gently sauté finely chopped onions until they become soft, translucent, and release their sweet aroma, which typically takes about 4-5 minutes.

Step 2: Create Flavor Base

Sprinkle in flour, Old Bay seasoning, and dried thyme.

Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste and develop a rich, golden base for your chowder.

Step 3: Build Vegetable Foundation

• Sliced carrots
• Chopped celery
• Cubed potatoes
• Sweet corn kernels

Pour in chicken broth and a splash of white wine, creating a flavorful liquid foundation for the chowder.

Step 4: Develop Vegetable Tenderness

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer.

Allow vegetables to become tender and start releasing their natural flavors, which takes approximately 10 minutes.

Step 5: Introduce Seafood Medley

• Tender white fish
• Plump scallops
• Succulent shrimp
• Fresh clams

Nestle the seafood into the simmering broth, allowing them to cook slowly and absorb the surrounding flavors.

Step 6: Enrich With Cream

Pour in luxurious heavy cream, transforming the chowder into a velvety, rich dish.

Continue cooking for 8-10 minutes until fish flakes easily and potatoes reach perfect tenderness.

Step 7: Final Touches

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and bright flavor.

Serve piping hot in deep bowls.

Tips for Rich, Silky Seafood Chowder

• Select high-quality, fresh seafood from a reputable fishmonger to ensure the best flavor and texture in your chowder.
• Watch seafood carefully to prevent overcooking, which can make fish tough and rubbery; remove each type of seafood when just cooked through.
• Toast flour and seasonings briefly to develop a richer, more complex taste profile before adding liquid ingredients.
• If chowder becomes too thick, thin with additional broth; if too thin, let simmer uncovered to reduce and thicken naturally.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.

Chowder Variations for Every Seafood Fan

• Dairy-Free Ocean Delight: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk for a lactose-free version that maintains creamy texture while adding subtle tropical notes.
• Vegetarian Sea Harvest: Swap seafood with firm tofu, hearts of palm, and oyster mushrooms to create a plant-based chowder with similar oceanic flavors.
• Low-Carb Seafood Bowl: Eliminate potatoes and replace with cauliflower chunks, reducing carbohydrate content while keeping the rich, savory seafood profile.
• Spicy Cajun Seafood Chowder: Add andouille sausage, increase Old Bay seasoning, and include cayenne pepper for a bold, zesty Southern-inspired rendition.

Serving Creamy Seafood Chowder for Gatherings

• Ocean's Bounty Plating: Serve in wide, deep bowls to showcase the vibrant mix of seafood and colorful vegetables, making each spoonful a visual delight.
• Bread Buddy Pairing: Accompany the chowder with crusty sourdough or garlic herb bread, perfect for soaking up the rich, creamy broth and capturing every delicious flavor.
• Garnish Glow-Up: Sprinkle extra chopped parsley, a dash of paprika, or crispy bacon bits on top to add texture, color, and an extra layer of savory goodness to the dish.
• Wine Wave Companion: Complement the chowder's creamy texture with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, enhancing the seafood's delicate flavors and creating a restaurant-worthy dining experience.

Seafood Chowder Storage Advice

• Transfer cooled chowder to airtight container and store in refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping seafood quality and flavor intact.
• Carefully pour chowder into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion, and freeze for maximum 2 months, avoiding cream-based separation.
• Pour chowder into microwave-safe bowl, cover with microwave-safe lid, heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly.
• Gently reheat chowder in saucepan over low-medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching, adding splash of broth or cream if mixture seems too thick.

FAQs

• What seafood works best in this chowder?

Mild white fish like cod, haddock, or halibut are perfect. Shrimp, scallops, and clams add delicious variety and texture to the chowder.

• Can I make this chowder dairy-free?

Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or dairy-free cream alternatives. Use plant-based butter for sautéing to keep the recipe dairy-free while maintaining rich flavor.

• Is Old Bay seasoning necessary?

While Old Bay adds signature seafood flavor, you can substitute with a mix of paprika, celery salt, black pepper, and cayenne for a similar spice profile. The goal is to enhance the seafood’s natural taste.

Creamy Seafood Chowder Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty seafood chowder from New England blends ocean-fresh ingredients with rich, velvety cream. Comfort seafood combines tender fish, plump shellfish, and potato chunks in a luxurious broth for satisfying warmth you’ll crave.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) white fish chunks
• 8 ounces (226 grams) sea scallops
• 12 ounces (340 grams) medium shrimp, peeled
• 6.5 ounces (184 grams) chopped clams, drained

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 celery rib, sliced
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 1 pound (454 grams) potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup (80 grams) corn kernels
• 1 tablespoon (3 grams) fresh parsley

Base and Seasonings:

• 1/4 cup (57 grams) butter
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
• 5 cups (1.2 liters) chicken or seafood broth
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) white wine
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) heavy cream

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Instructions

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat and sauté diced onions until they become soft and translucent, releasing a fragrant aroma.
2. Sprinkle flour, Old Bay seasoning, and thyme into the pot, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes to eliminate the raw flour flavor and create a rich base.
3. Introduce sliced carrots, celery, cubed potatoes, and corn kernels to the mixture, then pour in broth and wine, creating a vibrant and aromatic liquid foundation.
4. Elevate the heat to bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes, allowing vegetables to soften and flavors to meld.
5. Gently nestle fish, scallops, shrimp, and clams into the simmering broth, ensuring each piece is submerged and cooking evenly.
6. Stream heavy cream into the pot and continue cooking for 8-10 minutes at a low temperature, watching for fish to become flaky and potatoes to turn tender.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley just before ladling into warm bowls.

Notes

• Swap seafood varieties to match seasonal availability or personal preferences, keeping cooking times consistent for different types of fish and shellfish.
• Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch as a substitute for traditional flour to make the chowder suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.
• Consider reducing cream or using light coconut milk for a lighter, dairy-free version that maintains the rich, creamy texture of the original recipe.
• Add extra depth by toasting spices like Old Bay seasoning briefly before mixing with flour to enhance their aromatic qualities and intensify the overall flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg