Light Ham Potato Chowder (Print Version)

Comforting chowder with potatoes, ham, corn, and celery in a light creamy broth.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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, optional for thickening
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Herbs and Spices

13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish

# How to Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and celery; sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and diced ham; cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Add diced potatoes, corn kernels, dried thyme, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water if using. Stir into the pot and simmer for 2 to 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 Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means you can actually make this on a weeknight without losing your mind.
  • The cream is just enough to feel indulgent while keeping things light enough that you won't feel weighed down.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day, so batch cooking becomes your secret weapon.
02 -
  • I learned the hard way that boiling cream will break it, which means your beautiful chowder turns into separated, greasy sadness you'll need to start over from.
  • Cutting your potatoes smaller means they cook faster and eat better, so don't let them be huge chunks just because you're in a hurry.
03 -
  • A tiny pinch of smoked paprika sounds like a small thing until you taste how it transforms the whole bowl into something more interesting.
  • Make sure your ham is actually diced small, because biting into a big chunk will remind you this isn't fancy restaurant food, and that's okay.
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