Roasted Corn and Poblano Chowder
Roasted corn and poblano chiles give this summer chowder a powerful flavor punch. It’s never too warm for a good chowder!
It’s not fall or winter, but calling it a chowder makes it perfectly acceptable to eat during the summer, right?
I sure hope so, because I ended up making this roasted corn and poblano chowder on the legit hottest day of the year so far. I am SUCH an awesome planner <insert sarcasm>. Actually, I really was such a better planner and much more organized before Joseph was born. I’d love to blame mommy brain (I mean, there ARE so many more balls in the air than there used to be!), but that seems like a cop out. I’m working on getting a better system in place for life as it is currently.
Anyway… sorry for that tangent! I DID make this on the hottest day of the summer so far because once I saw a recipe for roasted corn and poblano chowder, I couldn’t hold off until fall. I mean, fresh corn!
Thank goodness for air conditioning :)
I honestly don’t ever do much with corn during the summer other than eat it straight-up on the cob slathered in butter and salt. The corn we have had so far this summer has been absolutely amazing – super sweet and juicy – so I knew it would be perfect for a recipe like this chowder. Roasting it alongside the poblano chiles gave it so much pop, then throw in some potatoes, cilantro, lime juice and a little half-and-half, the flavors were simple yet perfect.
Part of the soup is pureed with corn tortillas, which thickens the chowder beautifully and gives it even more of an earthy corn flavor. Seriously amazing!
Topped with some Mexican cheese and crumbled bacon, this is absolutely worth eating while the corn is still fresh and in season!
One year ago: Ice Cream Sandwich Sundae Icebox Cake
Four years ago: Rocky Road Chocolate Bark
Six years ago: How to Make Perfect Homemade Popcorn
Seven years ago: Brown Sugar-Bacon Buttermilk Waffles
Nine years ago: Hershey’s Perfectly Chocolate Cake
Roasted Corn and Poblano Chowder
Ingredients
- 2 poblano chiles, stemmed, halved lengthwise, and seeded
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, divided
- 6 ears corn, kernels cut from cobs (about 5¼ cups)
- 2 teaspoons salt, divided
- 1¼ teaspoons (1.25 teaspoons) black pepper, divided
- 4 slices bacon, finely chopped
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 7 cups (1645 ml) chicken broth
- 1 pound (453.59 g) red potatoes, unpeeled, cut into ½-inch chunks
- ¼ cup (59.15 ml) half-and-half
- 2 6-inch corn tortillas, torn into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Queso fresco cheese, to garnish
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler and preheat broiler. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Toss the poblanos with 1 teaspoon of the vegetable oil in a medium bowl. Arrange cut-side-down in a single column against a short side of the baking sheet.
- Toss the corn, remaining 2 teaspoons of the vegetable oil, ½ teaspoon of the salt and ½ teaspoon of the pepper in the bowl. Spread into an even layer over the rest of the baking sheet. Broil until the poblanos are mostly blackened and the corn is well-browned and tender, 10 to 15 minutes, flipping the poblanos and stirring the corn halfway through broiling.
- Place the poblanos in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove the skins and finely chopped the poblanos; set aside.
- Cook the bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Add the onion and ¼ teaspoon of salt to the bacon drippings and cook until the onion is softened and beginning to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the chicken broth, potatoes, roasted corn and ½ teaspoon of salt to the Dutch oven and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom. Cook at a steady simmer until the potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the half-and-half.
- Transfer 2 cups of the chowder to a blender. Add the tortilla pieces and process until smooth, about 1 minute. Return the pureed chowder to the pot and stir in the chopped poblanos. Return to medium heat and bring to a simmer. Stir in the minced cilantro, lime juice, and the remaining ¾ teaspoon salt and ¾ teaspoon pepper. Serve and garnish with the bacon and crumbled quest fresco.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
I just made this for the second time and just love this recipe. I used some fresh corn and frozen corn from my grandfather’s garden. Sooo good!
I love a good soup anytime and eat them year round. This looks delicious and I’m planning to make it tomorrow for dinner. In looking at the picture it looks like there is a piece of tortilla chip on the spoon. Do you add additional tortilla or just the ones that are blended until smooth. Thanks for another exciting recipe. I can’t wait to try it .
Just finished making this . . . it is delicious. I used only 1 poblano, not being how certain of the intensity of the pepper; could easily use them both without it being too spicy hot. Also, made a stock from the cobs, which yielded 4 cups, so used that and 4 cups of the chicken broth. And one last change was I used whole milk in place of the 1/2 & 1/2. So yes, this recipe with only some minor adjustments is really good! Wish I had the queso on hand to top it off, but since I’ll definitely be making this again, I can plan to have that queso.
I’ve been looking for a soup or stew to make for an easy access, week night supper. This sounds spot on! From one Pittsburgh gal to another, it has been a humdrum of hot summer here in the ‘burgh. You’re right, thank God for A.C. and thank you for another amazing recipe.
Do you have any recommendations for making this a vegetarian friendly dish?
Just use vegetable stock in place of the chicken broth! :)
I make Mark Bittman’s Basic Corn Chowder a couple of times each summer. His recipe uses the corn cobs (after the kernels are cut from the cobs) to make the stock for the soup. Put the cobs in a stockpot and cover with about 7 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for at least 10 minutes. Remove cobs and pour liquid through a strainer. You’ll lose some of the liquid as the stock simmers.
To completely answer your question, omit the bacon and use olive oil instead of bacon drippings. You could use some combination of cumin, oregano and smoked paprika to replace the bacon flavor.
Hi Kimberly, Omit the bacon, use olive oil or butter in place of the bacon drippings, and vegetable stock instead of the chicken broth.
Ohhhh my that looks amazing! I always thought chowders were with fish, but I have to say your ingredients sound way nicer ;) Reading your story makes me realize I’m not the only one who is the WORST at planning meals! I would have totally planned an oven-dish or something on a really hot day. I’m going to pin this for later, it looks delicious!