A cozy, protein-packed chowder loaded with tender chicken, sweet corn, and smoky spices—perfect for chilly nights or hearty weeknight dinners! This lightened-up version of classic corn chowder keeps all the creaminess with fewer points per bowl.
🍲 Servings & Timing
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 6 bowls
- Dietary Tags: High-Protein, WW Friendly, Gluten-Free (optional), Dairy-Light
✅ Ingredients List
- Boneless skinless chicken breast (cooked and shredded)
- Frozen sweet corn
- Onion
- Garlic
- Celery
- Carrots
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Unsweetened almond milk (or low-fat milk)
- Light cream cheese (reduced-fat)
- Olive oil spray
- Smoked paprika
- Dried thyme
- Salt & black pepper
- Optional: Green onions or parsley for garnish
🔢 Instructions
-
Sauté the veggies:
Spray a large pot with olive oil spray. Add chopped onion, celery, and carrots. Cook over medium heat until softened, about 5–7 minutes. -
Add garlic & spices:
Stir in minced garlic, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant. -
Simmer the base:
Add in the chicken broth and frozen corn. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. -
Add creaminess:
Stir in almond milk and reduced-fat cream cheese. Stir until cream cheese is fully melted and the soup is creamy. -
Add chicken:
Stir in the cooked, shredded chicken and simmer for another 5 minutes to heat through. -
Taste & serve:
Adjust seasonings as needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped green onions or parsley if desired.
📝 Additional Notes
- This recipe is naturally high in protein and uses lower-fat dairy to reduce WW points.
- Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken (skin removed) for a quicker meal.
- For more thickness, blend 1–2 cups of the soup and stir it back in.
📸 Hero Image
[Insert photo of the chowder in a cozy bowl, garnished with fresh herbs and cracked black pepper.]
🥄 Brief Introduction
I whipped up this chowder on a stormy Tuesday when all I had was frozen corn, leftover chicken, and a serious craving for comfort food. Instead of heavy cream, I used a little light cream cheese and almond milk—and honestly, I didn’t miss the extra calories one bit. It’s cozy, filling, and WW-friendly, making it a go-to for both meal prep and lazy dinners.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
🧅 1. Sauté the Aromatics
Sauté onion, celery, and carrots in olive oil spray until soft.
They should look glossy and slightly golden around the edges.
🧄 2. Spice It Up
Add garlic, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Tip: Smoked paprika gives it that “bacon-y” depth without the actual bacon.
🍲 3. Simmer the Base
Pour in the broth and frozen corn. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Tip: Use low-sodium broth so you control the salt level.
🧀 4. Cream It Up
Add almond milk and light cream cheese. Stir gently until smooth.
If cream cheese clumps, let it soften in a bit of hot broth before mixing in.
🍗 5. Add Chicken
Add the shredded chicken and cook until warmed through.
Optional: Blend a small portion of soup to thicken without adding extra dairy.
🌿 6. Garnish and Serve
Serve hot with green onions, fresh parsley, or a little sprinkle of paprika.
🧾 Ingredient Details & Substitutions
💡 Key Ingredients & Why They Work:
- Chicken Breast: Lean, high-protein, low WW points.
- Frozen Corn: Sweet and starchy, adds body to the chowder.
- Almond Milk: Creamy, dairy-free, and super low in points.
- Light Cream Cheese: Just enough creaminess without the full-fat guilt.
🔄 Substitution Ideas:
- No almond milk? Use skim or 1% milk.
- Vegetarian? Swap chicken with canned white beans.
- No cream cheese? Use 1/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt (add off-heat).
🍳 Equipment Notes:
- No immersion blender? Let soup cool slightly and carefully blend a portion in a regular blender.
- No large pot? Use a deep sauté pan with a lid.
🍽️ Variations & Serving Ideas
🌀 Flavor Variations:
- Add a pinch of cayenne for heat.
- Stir in 1/2 tsp curry powder for a twist.
- Top with a sprinkle of low-fat shredded cheese if desired.
🥦 Dietary Variations:
- Vegetarian: Use veggie broth + white beans instead of chicken.
- Gluten-Free: Naturally GF! Just double-check your broth label.
- Dairy-Free: Use DF cream cheese or 2 tbsp blended cashews.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with light crackers or crusty whole grain bread.
- Pairs well with a spinach salad for a full meal.
- Top with a sprinkle of green onions, paprika, or even a few air-fried tortilla strips.
🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
🧼 Storage:
- Fridge: Store in airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in single servings for up to 3 months.
🔥 Reheating:
- Microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between.
- On stovetop: Heat over medium-low, stirring often.
⏰ Make-Ahead Tips:
- Cook and shred chicken ahead.
- Chop veggies and store in fridge up to 3 days in advance.
- Make full batch and freeze in meal-prep containers.
📆 Shelf Life & Notes:
- Gets thicker over time as corn releases starch—add broth when reheating if needed.
- Best enjoyed within 3–4 days for freshest taste.
📊 Nutrition Facts (Estimated Per Serving)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Protein: 24g
- Carbs: 18g
- Fat: 6g
- Fiber: 3g
- WW Points: ~3–4 points (based on WW Blue/PersonalPoints – verify in your app)
- Allergens: Contains dairy (cream cheese)
- Naturally gluten-free if using GF broth
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes! Use dairy-free cream cheese or substitute with cashew cream or Greek yogurt (if not DF).
Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken?
A: Absolutely—just remove the skin and shred the meat. It works great for fast prep.
Q: Is this freezer-friendly?
A: Yes! Freeze in individual containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
Q: How can I make it thicker?
A: Blend 1–2 cups of the soup and stir it back in, or stir in a cornstarch slurry.
Q: Can I use fresh corn instead of frozen?
A: Definitely. Use about 3 cups of fresh corn kernels (from 4–5 ears).
💬 Behind the Recipe
I created this soup when I was looking for a way to satisfy comfort food cravings and stick to my WW goals. It’s now a favorite in my meal prep rotation. I love how creamy and rich it feels, even though it’s secretly light and healthy. This is one of those recipes that doesn’t taste “diet”—and I’ll bet no one will guess it’s WW-friendly.
Do you have a favorite lightened-up comfort food? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to try it!
📣 Call-to-Action
If you try this Creamy Chicken Corn Chowder, leave a comment and rating below!
Tag me on Instagram @YourHandle with your cozy bowl—I’d love to see your version!
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