Creamy Clam Chowder
Craving a cozy bowl of seafood comfort? This rich, velvety chowder hits the spot without the long simmer.
When you're exhausted and craving something deeply comforting, this creamy clam chowder is your ultimate win. It delivers that nostalgic, coastal flavor—thick with potato and brimming with briny goodness—without requiring hours over a hot stove. We use a few high-impact shortcuts to get that velvety texture fast, so you can enjoy a gourmet feel on a weary evening. The secret is the heavy cream and tiny bits of celery which provide a beautiful aromatic base. It's hearty enough to feel like a hug in a bowl, yet simple enough to whip up while your brain is switching off for the night. Serve it with a few crackers and just let yourself relax.
Ingredients
- 16 oz chopped clams — fresh or frozen (thawed)
- 2 cup potatoes — gold or red, diced small
- 1 cup onion — finely diced
- 2 unit celery stalks — thinly sliced
- 3 unit garlic cloves — minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme — or 1 tsp fresh if you have it
- 3 cup chicken broth — low sodium preferred
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter — unsalted
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper — optional for a tiny kick
Method
- 1 Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- 2 Stir in the garlic, thyme, and cayenne pepper. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- 3 Add the diced potatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 12-15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- 4 Stir in the heavy cream and the chopped clams. Simmer for another 3-5 minutes until the chowder thickens slightly and clams are cooked through.
- 5 Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving warm.
Variations
- Vegetarian Swap — Replace the clams with canned chickpeas and swap chicken broth for vegetable stock.
- Extra Hearty — Add 1/2 cup of heavy cream cheese at the end to make it extra thick and indulgent.
Notes
If you want a thicker base, mash a few of the cooked potato chunks against the side of the pot before adding the cream.
Equipment that helps
- Large Pot — Allows enough room for even simmering and easy stirring of the potatoes.
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