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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Chicken Corn Chowder...my childhood favorite- revamped!

I have this almost unexplainable excitement over certain foods.  Foods that remind me of that remind me of something I loved so much as a child.  I mean, I guess it's not unexplainable...everybody gets those flashes of nostalgia, right?  But when I hear these three words together----chicken---corn---chowder----a certain giddiness washes over me!  I guess the funny thing is that it wasn't something my mom lovingly worked on whilst standing over the stove in her frilly apron, because I don't think she's ever donned a frilly apron in her life but it was something that she lovingly opened a can of and heated up on on top of the stove.  Over a live flame.  That was good enough for me.  In my mind, when I announced to my brother and sisters and mom that I had produced Chicken Corn Chowder with my own two hands...from scratch...they would be awestruck and wistful and all hop in their cars and drive the 30 minutes to 2 hours (depending on who it was) to greedily arrive at my doorstep.  Bowl and spoon in hand.  In reality, two didn't answer their phones, and the other two had to be prodded to remember that this was one of OUR very favorite soups so many years ago.  I mean we wanted it CONSTANTLY.  Although.  Once I ever-so-kindly reminded them, their voices did elevate a few notches as their memories cranked into gear.  My question to them "Think back to when we were young.  What kind of soup was our favorite?  Which one did we always ask for?  Didn't have to be homemade...but we all loved it."  Well, DUH.  Of course chicken noodle and tomato (although not me...I already voiced the fact that I didn't like tomato soup as a kid) and chicken w/ stars.  "BUT WHAT ELSE!?"  In the end it was my mom and one sis who I gushed to over my "revamped" childhood favorite.  Other sis and bro are still walking around like the world didn't shake.  Oblivious to my amazing feat.  

Apparently this was more my obsession than theirs.  Why isn't the movie in my head broadcast to the four corners!? Sheesh.


Chicken Corn Chowder
inspired by a childhood love for Campbell's and adapted from this recipe
yield: ~1 gallon

½ lb. bacon, cut into ½" strips, the short way
1½  lb. chicken breast, 1" dice
1 large onion (~¾ c.), small dice
2 stalks celery (~½ c.), small dice
1 med. red bell pepper (~¾ c.), small dice
~12 oz. small red potatoes, ~ "½ dice
leaves from a few sprigs fresh thyme
2 Tbs. flour
2 lb. fresh or frozen corn, divided
3 c. chicken stock/broth (+ a little more, as needed)
3 c. half & half
freshly ground black pepper, ~1 Tbs.
sea salt, as needed

Begin by placing the bacon in a dutch oven or large pot over medium-low heat.  Cook until it has rendered its fat and is just finished cooking.  Remove to a paper towel-lined plate,  leaving bacon grease in pot.  Increase heat to med-high and add chicken to pot.  Cook until pink has disappeared all around.  Add onions, celery, red peppers, and potatoes to pot.  Continue to cook for ~5 minutes, stirring everything around from time to time. When the vegetables have just begun to soften, add in the thyme and sprinkle in the flour, stirring until it has disappeared.  Purée half of the corn w/ a bit of the stock.  Add it to the pot. Cook for another minute or two.  Gradually stir in the remaining corn, stock and the half & half.  Season with black pepper.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, partially cover and simmer very gently for ~20 minutes.  Stir occasionally to prevent sticking...remember there's dairy in there!  Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.  All bacon will vary on its salt content, so it's really up to you on how much salt you want to add.

To serve, ladle into bowls and divide the reserved bacon among them.  (I don't like to mix the bacon right into the soup, because it turns all floppy again.) This way you can stir it in just before eating. It's also great with some sharp cheddar cheese shredded over the top and some fresh parsley or chives over the top at the last minute.
Go ahead.  Grab a big bowl of nostalgia.  There's nothing quite as sweet.
I am sharing this post with:
SundayNightSoupNight

Would you like to comment?

  1. This is making me laugh out loud! Funny how many of us have such fond memories of canned Cambell's soups? No frilly-aproned mom here either and I loved the stuff. Chowder was usually clam chowder out at a Florida seafood restaurant or Corn Chowder at a bbq joint and I loved them both. This is one fantastic recipe I'll be making this winter!

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  2. Hey,

    That looks fabulous...Hmm...Yummy...:)

    Dr.Sameena@

    http://www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com

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  3. I definitely need to make this! It sounds SO good!!

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  4. I know what you mean. I have such memories myself from childhood and my grandparents. This soup looks really hearty.

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  5. I am loving this recipe. I've never made anything but plain ol corn chowder. I did the nostalgia thing this weekend and made a pot roast. Can't wait to try this soup.

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  6. It reminds me of the chicken stew (yes from a can) that I loved as a kid. If the company was still around I am sure I would be eating its over salted goodness even now. It is comforting to recreate these dishes.

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  7. I remember being 7 and coming home making Campbell's chicken noodle soup after school and feeling so pleased that I could "cook!" Nowm this chowder would have made me dance around the house. In fact, it does.

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  8. My childhood favorite was boring old chicken noodle. But this..this with bacon...oh yes!

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  9. I totally want this! I love corn chowder but haven't come up with THE recipe yet. I'll have to try this one!

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  10. Thanks for sharing this I like to use
    Sharp Cheddar cheese in my soup,too.
    Great minds do think alike!

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  11. This looks so good Heather! I wish I had the energy to make it. I'm home with walking pneumonia. This would be the perfect dinner for me. I'll just have to bookmark it for another day!

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  12. I know my son will love this soup. He always as for cream of corn since the Campbell's soup cream of corn sold was his favorite living there. I wonder why they do not sell it here? Anyway, the combination of potatoes, corn, cream and BACON sounds really great.

    Saludos,

    Mely

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  13. Oops! I mean the Corn cream from Campbell' s very popular in Mexico.

    Mely

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  14. Wow, this looks good. Yummy warm you up and satisfy a need, good. And you said you didn't think anything was sweeter.....I know something that is er someone....you. Thanks for my giftie. You're a doll. The Olde Bagg, Linda

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  15. Oh my my. This looks amazing, as usual. I am officially addicted to soups.

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  16. Cracking me up, Heather! My sister & brother are exactly the same way. Your soup looks delicious, perfect for this time of the year, although, I love soup anytime!

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  17. Anything with the word "chowder" in it. I'm sold!

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  18. very new one... looks yummy and tasty....

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  19. This is simmering while I'm writing. I can hardly wait. Just think how good this will be with leftover turkey. Also I got fresh crab meat today and I'm adding some to this and some for garnish.

    I still love Campbells Clam Chowder.

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  20. Give me that bowl of creamy chowder and yes please, crispy toppings!

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  21. So true! Nostalgia is a funny thing. This looks like a wonderful recipe to have as a childhood memory!

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  22. I could take a swim in this bowl of goodness! Love it, and so hearty!

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  23. I'm definitely making this! Everything sounds delicious...yum!

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  24. My brother and I definitely have very different childhood memories about food. As in one of us remembers it and the other doesn't. That perhaps explains why one of us weighs 100 pounds and the other..uhh...doesn't. I love the sound of this corn chowder! And I'm so happy that you recreated this memory!

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  25. This is the best chowder I have seen in ages, delish

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  26. i love food that reminds me of home and my childhood, nothing is more comforting then that. i really need to make this, my husband doesn't like chowder, but he likes corn chowder!

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  27. I have quite a few fond memories of prepared food items like canned soup. I just loved hearing your recollections about corn chowder, and I love, even more, the recipe you created! This looks and sounds AMAZING. Thank you for sharing. I hope you have a wonderful evening!

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  28. That IS awesome. We weren't allowed to have soup from cans (worried about the can...who knew Mom was ahead of her time with BPA?), so I LOVED the Campbell and Lipton Chicken Noodle Soup in a dry packet.

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  29. Wow this looks delicious and mighty hearty Heather! Lovely post!
    Cheers~

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  30. Yum, everything's better with bacon!
    I have good memories of my grandma's non-cooking cooking. Like when she would slice a slab off of the box of ice cream and put berries on it. I thought that was so cool. Never in my life has anyone else served me a perfect rectangle of ice cream.

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  31. Heather, this soup looks so hearty! I can't wait to try this.

    Carmen

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  32. So delicious looking. Must try this one out.

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  33. This soup sounds delicious. Nowadays after school snacks for my nieces in India are boxed Noodles, in the name of Maggi. They love to eat them, even ready to cook them self, who normally don't even lift a fork for others.

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  34. Corn chowder isn't something you'll find in England really, so it's been on my list-of-things-to-try for a while :) This looks like a really good recipe and definitely fitting for Autumn!

    Thanks for sharing it and for visiting my blog - the cupcakes are too delicious, I've eaten far too many already lol!

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  35. Beautiful memories with a scrumptious looking soup. Thanks for sharing your recipe and memories.

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  36. The movie in my head isn't broadcast to the four corners either.....I feel your pain!

    Your creamy chicken chowder looks delicious and I'm loving that big douse of bacon on the top! (I'd even don a frilly apron if it meant that I could eat some) LOL!

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  37. Bacon, AND potatoes? YUM. This has me super hungry for soup! Good thing we're having homemade tomato soup tonight! :)

    Thanks for joining in the giveaway!

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  38. Isn't funny how different our memories of things can be from other people? Especially when it comes to food! This has always been a favorite in my house - looks amazing!

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  39. Wow heather! Daring of you to try and recreate that same feeling! Sometimes it is better for sure, and when YOU use your intuition to lead you to the right ingredients, which YOU always do, then its a success. I posted about my husband's chicken divan and there is no way I would touch a thing because it is HIS comfort food. I do mess with my own comfort recipes though, cause things CAN always get better. bookmarked this to try sometime very soon cause it looks divine! :) thanks for hosting and posting on the hearth and soul hop! alex

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  40. This is my kind of soup. Looks wonderful and perfect for this time of year. I could eat the whole pot.

    Plan B

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  41. Oh looks like YUMMY soup, please link this up to This Week's Cravings. Soup at Thanksgiving dinner would be wonderful!

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  42. you know I never had campbells growing up, nope not even boxed mac and cheese..only when I move out for college and I thought my mom was really denying me such a treasure..ha ha wonderful recreation, I would love this for lunch..

    sweetlife

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  43. My grandmother would make a vegatarian corn chowder for me growing up. To this day, it's my absolute favorite thing to have during the colder months. It instantly makes me feel warmth and love. She's a horrible cook! Growing up most of what I ate was microwavable, so I can't say that about too many foods. But a good corn chowder--nothing like it! Yum!

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  44. You are right - it is "make a better, healthier, homemade campbell soup" week! We never had corn chowder - but yours sounds delicious! thanks for hosting and posting this on the hearth and soul hop!

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  45. Thanks for linking up to This Week's Cravings! We hope you come back next week for "Thanksgiving Left-Overs"

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  46. What a beautiful revamp of this dish... Your story is funny and charming :)
    Funny how you can grow up in the same household with your siblings, but sometimes remember things a bit differently...

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  47. I put up soooo much corn last summer. I don't have any memories of chicken and corn chowder, but I'd sure like to use some of my corn to make it now. Looks good!

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  48. i wish my mom would have made chicken and corn chowder for me when i was a kid:) your recipe is amazing and i love your story too. thank you for linking it up to tuesday night supper club.

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  49. I've saved this one. I love the hearty soups and stews we make this time of year, don't you?

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  50. OK, Campbell's Chunky Chicken Corn Chowder is the one canned soup I still get cravings for. Can you send me a soup care package? ;-) It looks delicious. Thanks for sharing it with me virtually at least at Souper Sundays. ;-)

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  51. The bacon on top is calling my name- I need some of this soup! We ate Campbell's chicken noodle all the time from the can, but my mom always made (makes) her other soups from scratch.

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  52. This looks so much better than anything that ever came out of a can! Amazing!

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  53. That looks like a bowl of amazing! It brings a little sunny disposition to a dreary winter day.

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  54. Nothing warms my heart like a hearty bowl of chow-dah. It really does. :)

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  55. Soup didn't really feature heavily in my childhood favourites. The only soup we usually had was tomato out of a tin, which I hated, or a light vegetable broth, which I refused to eat unless Mum put it through the moulee. Occasionally, pea and ham would surface and although that is my favourite now - then, not so much! Had I been exposed to this chowder though, things might have been different :-) Looks totally delicious.

    Sue

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  56. Heather, this sounds delightful!!! Oh my goodness, now I just need to get ahold of some bacon.

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  57. Oooh this looks so tasty, definitely plan to try this one! Thanks for sharing this with Sunday Night Soup Night, look forward to seeing you again soon!

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