
My husband doesn't like 'regular' soups ... they've got to be thick and chunky for him. Me? It doesn't matter ... thick or thin ... as long as it tastes good. But I do have to admit, I have a weakness for creamy, hearty chowder. And I especially have a weakness for New England style clam chowder.
So, with creamy, chunky goodness, I'm happy to say this Slow Cooker Clam Chowder absolutely satisfies us both. And there's even an unexpected secret to it's comforting creaminess.
My sister-in-law created this slow cooker recipe, and came up with what I think is a very creative way to give it creaminess while adding an extra jolt of flavor at the same time. Want to know her secret?
Well, the unexpected ingredient is a little tub of chive & onion cream cheese, melted into the chowder at the end of the slow cooker cooking time. Brilliant! Simultaneous thickening, creaminess, and flavor. And comfort.
Yes, this chowder is super comforting on a chilly day. And we all need a little comfort food every now and then, don't we? Mmm, hmmm, perhaps even on a not chilly day.
So if you love comfort in the thick and hearty chowder form, grab a spoon and dive on in. And then snuggle up under a nice warm blanket, 'cause that's pretty comforting too.
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Slow-Cooker Clam Chowder
Source: An original by my sister-in-law Cheryl
(Printable recipe)
Ingredients
- 3 (6.5 oz.) cans chopped or baby clams, undrained
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 8 small new red potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 (12 to 16 oz.) package frozen corn, thawed
- 2 (14 oz.) cans chicken broth
- 1 1/2 tsp. dried marjoram
- 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
- 1 tsp. garlic salt
- 1 c. half & half
- 2 T. cornstarch
- 1 (8 oz.) container onion & chive spreadable cream cheese
- In a slow-cooker, combine the clams (with their juice), chopped onion, potatoes, corn, chicken broth, marjoram, thyme, and garlic salt. Cover. Cook on low heat setting for 6 to 8 hours or high heat setting for 4 to 5 hours, until potatoes are tender.
- Combine half & half and cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth; gradually stir into clam mixture. Cover. Cook on high heat setting for 15 to 30 minutes, until mixture thickens a bit.
- Stir onion & chive cream cheese into the chowder. Cook on high heat setting for 5 minutes. Stir chowder until cream cheese is melted and mixed in.
I'm SO making this. I love clam chowder and to make it in the slow cooker??? Genius!
ReplyDeleteOh, I think you'll really like it, Dorothy!
DeleteI'll definitely have to try that. I bet it makes it so creamy and delicious.
ReplyDeleteThe cream cheese really does give the chowder great flavor, and really nice creaminess. Enjoy!
DeleteThis chowder does look as comforting as a warm blanket. This cozy meal will be making an appearance on my table soon. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy it, Wendy! Thanks so much for reading The Kitchen is My Playground.
DeleteI love clam chowder. I make it usually once a year and my husband has some pizza. (Not a clam fan.) I love your secret ingredient! I'll have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy it, Nicole ... while hubby enjoys his pizza!
DeleteI'm so happy you shared this recipe at Cast Party Wednesday! I can't wait to make it for my husband! Pinned! Thanks! ~Sheryl @ Lady Behind The Curtain~
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for Pinning, Sheryl. Hope you and your hubby love it as much as we do!
DeleteWe love good clam chowder here too. We dig the clams ourselves in the warmer months, and we like it thick too!
ReplyDeleteYours looks very good! I have never made it in a crock pot, but I made it for 200 people for a school fair!
Here from Yvonne's OTMM.
Gosh, this looks delicious and your photos are so beautiful. I love crock pot recipes and I am pinning this one for sure! Thanks for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteWe love New England Clam Chowder and I have yet to attempt it! This looks so good...I may have to dust off the crockpot!
ReplyDeleteI just purchased a slow cooker over Xmas. This will be a great addition. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOh yummy! I think I might make this tomorrow! I may change up the ingredients a bit but I love that you added cream cheese to it! What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing on Marvelous Mondays. Pinning and sharing on Facebook!
I LOVE clam chowder and in a slow cooker? Genius! Can't wait to give this a try! Pinned! Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting from On the Menu Monday. This chowder looks delicious, and I love having this Crockpot version. I'd also like to have those darling bowls. Would you be willing to share your source?
ReplyDeleteHi, Pattie! I don't mind sharing my source at all ... those darling little bowls are from IKEA. Thanks so much for dropping by!
DeleteI just made this today! It was amazing. I was skeptical during the first few hours, but it definitely thickened up at the end. I also mashed the potatoes a bit at the end to thicken it up even more.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed it, Michelle! Thank you so much for stopping back by to let me know ... your comment made me smile.
DeleteI am making this now. Been in the crock pot since this morning. Very excited. I'm also making homemade bread bowls for it to go in. Cant wait!!
ReplyDeleteHomemade bread bowls sound fabulous ... hope you enjoyed it!!
DeleteWhere did I go wrong? I followed the recipe, but the soup did not thicken and it was a very unappetizing shade of grey/green. Had to throw it out :-(
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm ... I have no idea. Sorry it didn't work out for you.
DeleteI just wrote a comment but it went into a blackhole but anyway I was so excited this am when looking for clam chowder crockpot recipe! There is so many to choose from but knew this was the one for my husband and myself. Only thing I did different and maybe able to help others (like post on Oct 23, 2013) I drained and rinsed my clams; then used bottled clam juice(Snow's brand) instead of the juice from the cans ( my cats got a nice treat) I can't wait to eat it tonight and hoping leftovers for lunch tomorrow :-)
ReplyDeletecans (my cats got a nice treat!)
I made this today since the temperature outside is -11. This was SO GOOD! It will be my number one recipe for clam chowder. I've tried a quite a few in the past and this one is the best. Thanks for sharing it!!
ReplyDeleteI made this for my family tonight and they LOVED it. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so glad your family enjoyed it, Christina!! Thank you so much for stopping back by to let me know. :-)
DeleteWill be making this for a party of 12, how many servings are in your recipe?
ReplyDeleteThat truly depends on how much people eat! You may want to make extra ... like maybe a batch and a half or double it. Enjoy!
DeleteWhat size crockpot does this use?
ReplyDeleteWhat size crockpot does this use?
ReplyDelete