Light Ham Potato Chowder (Printable Version)

A creamy chowder featuring potatoes, lean ham, corn, and celery in a light, tasty broth.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 cups Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
02 - 1 cup celery, diced
03 - 1 cup frozen or fresh sweet corn kernels
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Meats

06 - 1 cup lean cooked ham, diced

→ Dairy

07 - 1 cup low-fat milk
08 - 1/2 cup half-and-half or light cream

→ Pantry

09 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Herbs and Spices

13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and celery, sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic and diced ham, cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Add potatoes, corn, dried thyme, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water. Stir into the pot and simmer 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in milk and half-and-half, warm gently without boiling. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Stir in chopped parsley. Ladle chowder into bowls and garnish with additional parsley if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for those nights when you want something warm without the fuss.
  • The balance of ham and potatoes means you get real substance without feeling overstuffed afterward.
  • Corn adds a subtle sweetness that keeps things interesting, and the broth stays light because you're not drowning everything in cream.
02 -
  • Never boil the milk mixture once you add it, or the cream will separate and you'll get a grainy texture that feels off. Keep the heat low and you'll stay creamy.
  • If your potatoes are huge, cut them smaller than you think you need to because they take longer than you expect and you want them tender before the corn gets mushy.
03 -
  • Dice your potatoes smaller than you think necessary because they really do take longer than the corn, and you want everything to finish at the same time.
  • If you forget the cornstarch step, the soup will still be delicious just thinner, so don't let it stress you into thickening it at the end unless it really needs it.
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