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Creamy Yellow Squash and Smoked Bacon Corn Chowder

creamy yellow squash smoked bacon corn chowder - featured image
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A cozy, creamy chowder featuring tender yellow squash, sweet corn, and smoky bacon, perfect for a comforting meal with simple ingredients and big flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 medium yellow squash, sliced into half-moons
  • 3 ears fresh corn, kernels removed (or 2 cups frozen corn)
  • 6 slices smoked bacon, diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 4 cups chicken broth (preferably low sodium)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half or coconut cream)
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or cornstarch/almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the vegetables: slice yellow squash into ¼-inch half-moons, remove corn kernels, peel and dice potatoes into ½-inch cubes, finely chop onion, and mince garlic (about 10-15 minutes prep).
  2. Cook the bacon in a large pot over medium heat until crisp and golden, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon bits with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
  3. Add chopped onions to the bacon fat and cook until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  4. Add butter to the pot and melt completely. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes to form a roux.
  5. Slowly pour in chicken broth while whisking to combine smoothly. Add diced potatoes and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-12 minutes until potatoes are tender.
  6. Stir in yellow squash and corn kernels. Cook for another 8-10 minutes until squash is tender but not mushy. Add fresh thyme if using.
  7. Lower heat to medium-low and stir in heavy cream. Return cooked bacon bits to the pot. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Warm through for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with crusty bread or a fresh salad.

Notes

Render bacon slowly for best smoky flavor. Whisk flour and butter thoroughly to avoid raw flour taste and lumps. Add squash towards the end to keep texture. Use fresh corn when possible for sweetness and crunch. Season gradually to avoid over-salting. If chowder is too thick, add broth or cream to loosen. Partial pureeing with immersion blender creates silkier texture but keep some chunks for comfort.

Nutrition

Keywords: yellow squash chowder, smoked bacon chowder, corn chowder, creamy chowder, easy chowder recipe, summer squash recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/creamy-yellow-squash-and-smoked-bacon-corn-chowder-recipe-easy-and-delicious/