Lightened Up Chicken Corn Chowder

Fun fact about me: as a child I was OBSESSED with Campbells’ Chicken Corn Chowder. In a can, in my mouth. I couldn’t get enough. Now fast forward twenty years to days when things like “sodium”, “heavy cream”, “processed food”, and “calories” are borderline swear words.  Campbells, thank you for introducing me to my favorite soup combination, but I went ahead and improved it for you. You’re welcome

If you remember, a couple weeks ago I shared another “skinny” soup, Skinny Secret Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Soup.  Spoiler alert: the secret ingredient making that soup creamy is the same secret ingredient making this chicken corn chowder a “lightened up” version! CAULIFLOWER.  I promise you won’t even taste it.

The trick is to steam the cauliflower florets in the microwave and then blend them up with the chicken stock to make a super-creamy, smooth base. Tastes like fat, feels like skinny 🙂  After that, you’re basically eating a garden in a bowl disguised as rich, creamy comfort food. If that’s not a win-win situation, I don’t know what is.

Brb, heating these leftovers up real quick for the perfect light fall lunch. Enjoy!

Lightened Up Chicken Corn Chowder

 

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Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

35 mins

Total time

50 mins

 

Author: Ally

Recipe type: Soup

Serves: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp. Olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, peeled and finely diced
• 1 cup celery, diced (about 3-4 stalks)
• 1 cup carrot, diced
• Salt & pepper
• ⅛ tsp. cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp. dried thyme
• 2- 12 oz. bags cauliflower florets
• 1 quart low-sodium chicken stock
• 2- 15 oz. canned corn, drained
• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 lb. baby red potatoes, diced into ½ inch cubes
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup 2% milk
• Optional toppings: fresh parsley, freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion, celery, carrot, a pinch each of salt and pepper, cayenne, and thyme to the pot. Let cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until veggies are soft.
3. Meanwhile, pierce the two bags of cauliflower florets with a fork, and microwave them together for about 5 minutes. Once the cauliflower is done, carefully transfer the florets to a large blender. Add the chicken stock, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and blend until completely smooth.
4. Pour the cauliflower mixture into the soup pot, and stir. Add the two cans of corn, pieces of raw chicken, baby red potatoes, and the bay leaf. Season generously with about a Tbsp. of salt and pepper and stir.
5. Raise heat to medium-high until it comes to a boil, and then reduce to medium-low. Let the soup simmer about 20 minutes, until the potatoes are fork-tender and the chicken is cooked through.
6. Turn the heat as low as it will go, and stir in the milk, (you don't want the milk to boil and curdle). Let sit, warming, about 5-10 minutes and then serve!

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