JalapeƱo Corn Chowder
Soups & Stews | Published Dec 8, 2020 | Updated Dec 8, 2020 | By Tawnie
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my privacy policy.
We cannot get enough of this Jalapeño Corn Chowder with soup season in full swing!
I’m not kidding, we’ve made this once a week for the last 5 weeks and still aren’t tired of it yet. ☺️
Table of contents
I’ve also been also making this Creamy Wild Rice Soup and Tomato Tortellini Soup like nobody’s business!

This creamy corn chowder is such a good go-to comforting dinner.
It’s filled with hearty russet potatoes, spicy fresh jalapeños, sweet corn and fresh thyme. You’ll love this Jalapeño Corn Chowder because it isn’t too rich, it’s an easy to make and is a great soup for a quick-fix weeknight dinner.
Ingredients you will need

- Chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- Whole Milk; you can use 2% or skim if you prefer, we just love the richness whole milk provides
- Corn (canned, frozen or fresh all work)
- Jalapeños: remove the flesh and seeds if you don’t like it too spicy!
Step by Step Directions

- Sauté the onion and celery. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the celery and onions and cook until the onion has softened.
- Melt butter in the pan and sprinkle with flour. Stir or whisk to combine until vegetables are coated.
- Add in broth, milk, potatoes, jalapeños, thyme, garlic, salt, pepper and paprika. Cook until potatoes are tender
- Add in corn and heavy cream. Stir to combine.
- Blend some of the soup: Ladle some of the soup out of the pot and transfer to a high powered blender.
- Allow soup to come back to a simmer. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary.
- Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with bacon, cheddar cheese, chives, more jalapeños, etc.

Tips for making Jalapeño Corn Chowder
- Add in leftover rotisserie chicken or ham for a heartier soup.
- Omit paprika if preferred but we love the smoky flavor it adds to the soup.
- If fresh corn is in season I recommend using that (4-5 ears of corn is plenty). If not, frozen corn or canned corn do the trick.
- Blending a portion of the soup helps to create the creamy corn chowder we all love.
- You can use Yukon gold potatoes in place of Russet potatoes.
- Two jalapeños can be very spicy, use 1 or even half of 1 if desired for a less spicy soup.
What to serve with Corn Chowder:
the goods
PS If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback! You can also follow me on Pinterest or Instagram. Sign up for my email list, too!


Creamy Jalapeño Corn Chowder
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 large Russet potatoes, washed, peeled, small dice
- 2 jalapeños, diced*
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tsp. garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1/8 tsp. smoked paprika
- 2 (15.25 oz. cans) yellow corn (can sub with fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- garnish ideas: bacon, cheddar cheese, chives
Instructions
- Sauté the onion and celery: Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the celery and onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened, abut 5-8 minutes.
- Melt the butter in the pan and sprinkle with flour. Stir or whisk to combine until vegetables are coated. Cook for a few minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste.
- Turn the heat to high. Add in broth, milk, potatoes, jalapeños, thyme, garlic, salt, pepper and paprika. Bring this to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cover. Cook for ~8-10 minutes or until potatoes are tender but not mushy, stirring occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom of your pot.
- Add in corn and heavy cream. Stir to combine.
- Blend some of the soup: Ladle 3 cups of the soup out of the pot and transfer to a high powered blender (like a Vitamix). Blend until smooth and add back into the soup.
- Allow soup to come back to a simmer. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with bacon, cheddar cheese, chives, more jalapeños, etc.
Video
Notes
- Soup may thicken as it sits. When reheating leftovers, you may need to add in a little more milk.
- Leftovers are best reheated in a saucepan on the stove.
- *Two jalapeños can be very spicy, use 1 jalapeño or less if desired for a less spicy soup.
- Add in leftover rotisserie chicken or ham for a heartier soup.
- Omit paprika if preferred but we love the smoky flavor it adds to the soup.
- If fresh corn is in season I recommend using that (4-5 ears of corn is plenty). If not, frozen corn or canned corn do the trick.
- Blending a portion of the soup helps to create the creamy corn chowder we all love.
- You can use Yukon gold potatoes in place of Russet potatoes.
Nutrition
Hi, I’mĀ Tawnie!
Welcome to my tiny ākornerā on the Internet! I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves cookies as much as kale. (OK, maybe I like cookies a little bit more but shh, donāt tell anyone). I am so glad you’re here! Follow along for hassle free, realistic and approachable recipes.
More about Tawnie
Does this freeze well?
I wouldn’t recommend it since it’s such a creamy-based meal.
I’ve made this several times and it is now my favorite food. All of the flavors work together to make something so delicious and perfect.
I am so glad, thank you so much Andrea!
Can you make this is a crock pot?
Hi Courtney! I have not recipe tested this recipe that way before, I am so sorry!
Huge hit with me and my husband! Just wondering if there is an instant pot version?
Hi Ashley! Thank you so much! I have not tested it out in the IP yet, I am so sorry!
This corn chowder looks so cozy! I want it tomorrow for lunch; will love to serve it with a slice of cornbread.
Delicious combination and creamy texture takes this to another level of goodness. Best Dinner option too.
Oh yum! What a wonderful combination of flavors in this chowder. I love the sliced jalapeƱos on top.
Corn chowder is one of my favorite foods in the whole world, and I love your addition of jalapeno in this! So flavorful and satisfying!
This recipe is so hearty and comforting! I love how easy it was to make too – it was a total crowd pleaser!