Description
A rich and warming chowder brimming with tender seafood, hearty potatoes, and creamy broth—perfect for cozy dinners.
Ingredients
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- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups low-sodium seafood or chicken broth
- 1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
- 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
- 8 oz cod or halibut, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 oz cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz bay scallops
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Optional: crumbled bacon or oyster crackers for serving
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add onion, garlic, celery, and carrots; sauté until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in flour, cooking for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in seafood broth, then add cream. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add diced potatoes, Old Bay seasoning, thyme, and bay leaf. Simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10–12 minutes.
- Stir in cod (or halibut), shrimp, and scallops. Cook until seafood is opaque and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
- Remove bay leaf. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and optional bacon or oyster crackers.
Notes
- The chowder can be made a day ahead; reheat gently before serving.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for a lower-fat milk.
- Try swapping seafood with clams or lobster for variation.
- Freeze unused chowder in individual portions—thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat slowly.
- Leftover chowder can be thickened with a sprinkle of flour slurry if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg