This Instant Pot chicken potato corn chowder with bacon is a deliciously thick, creamy, hearty soup that's the perfect comfort food for winter. It's a one-pot meal, made easily in an electric pressure cooker or on the stovetop and takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.
I know I'm going a little over the top with another Instant Pot recipe coming immediately after my Chipotle Chili that I shared a few days ago, but I can't stop myself. I love the concept of an electric pressure cooker and how it takes the guesswork out of cooking and is making my cold, winter life so much easier.
Because really I'd rather be snuggling under a comforter than standing in the kitchen in the cold.
Amazing Instant Pot Chowder
I have always always made corn chowder on the stovetop and it can take a while to simmer so that there is enough flavor from the corn, and the potatoes and chicken are cooked. But just making this in an electric pressure cooker gave me an extra half hour to myself.
I was afraid the result may not be the same. What if its not as creamy? Or its not flavorful? But surprise, surprise! This tastes exactly like the corn chowder I've made before, and the potatoes are cooked perfectly.
Ingredients You'll Need
This recipe has a short and simple list of ingredients. Here's everything you'll need:
- Corn: Use corn kernels - fresh, tinned or frozen. If using frozen, thaw them by soaking them in room temperature for 5-10 mins
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs both work for this recipe
- Potatoes: Peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
- Jalapenos: For a nice hit of spice. I prefer using fresh jalapeno, but in a pinch brined jalapeno also works
- Bacon: Fat and flavour. Oh so much flavour!
- All-Purpose Flour or Maida: For thickening the soup in the end. Its whisked with cream to add that perfect creamy consistency in the end
- Thyme: I prefer using dried thyme in this recipe because I always have it on hand. Sub with dried rosemary or an all-purpose Italian seasoning mix
How to make Instant Pot Chicken Potato Corn Chowder
- Switch on the saute function on your instant pot and add bacon. Cook the bacon till golden brown.
- Remove the bacon and set aside, while leaving the fat in the pot.
- Add onion, garlic and jalapenos and cook till the onions are soft.
- Add corn kernels, potatoes, chicken breast, chicken broth, thyme, salt and pepper. Give everything a quick mix, close the lid and turn the valve to sealing.
5. Use the manual setting to cook the chowder for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, use quick release by turning the valve to venting with the back of a spoon.
6. Turn on the saute function (switch to normal heat) and bring the soup to a simmer. Whisk together cream and flour and add it to the soup. Keep stirring the soup till it comes to a boil.
7. Simmer for 4-5 minutes till the soup thickens and turn off the Instant Pot. Mix in the bacon, add some chopped chives. If the soup is too thick, add a little water, milk or broth to it to adjust the consistency.
8. Serve this Instant Pot chicken potato corn chowder hot, topped with bacon and chives. The soup can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.
What's the difference between corn soup and corn chowder?
Corn Chowder is basically a thick, chunky variety of corn soup. Most popular chowders are made with seafood, but you can really add anything to them. They usually have a creamy base but in some parts of the world, they are also made with tomatoes.
Richa's Top Tips
- If using frozen corn, make sure the corn is thawed. If using canned corn, drain and rinse the corn before adding it to the chowder
- If you cut the potatoes in advance, soak them in cold water to keep them from browning. Just drain the water before adding them to the chowder
- The soup thickens up when refrigerated, so add a little broth of water while reheating
- For a creamier soup, transfer 1 cup of the soup (before adding the bacon) to a blender and blend till smooth. Then add this back to your soup
- What to serve this soup with? Warm, crust bread tastes best with this soup. I love pairing it with Dominos style Garlic Bread sticks, Dinner Rolls or Pepperoni Cheese Bombs
- I don't recommend freezing this Instant Pot Corn Chowder because it changes texture once it's thawed and isn't as creamy. But this makes for great leftovers!
Let's just say I'm happy I have a big batch of this instant pot chicken potato corn chowder in the fridge right now that will double up as a delicious lunch too. This is a recipe that only gets better with time and makes perfect leftovers!
Watch the Recipe Video
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Instant Pot Chicken Potato Corn Chowder with Bacon (Pressure Cooker Recipe)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 Bacon Strips chopped roughly
- 1 Onion finely chopped (medium )
- 4 Garlic Cloves minced
- 2 Jalapenos deseeded and finely chopped
- 3 cups Corn Kernels fresh or frozen {See Note 1}
- 2 Potatoes peeled and cut into cubes {See Note 2}
- 1 Chicken Breast cut into bite sized pieces
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- ¾ cup Cream
- 3 tablespoons All Purpose Flour
- Extra cooked bacon and chives for topping
Instructions
- Switch on the saute function on your instant pot and add bacon. Cook the bacon till golden brown. Remove the bacon and set aside, while leaving the fat in the pot. Add onion, garlic and jalapenos and cook till the onions are soft.
- Add corn kernels, potatoes, chicken breast, chicken broth, thyme, salt and pepper. Give everything a quick mix, close the lid and turn the valve to sealing. Use the manual setting to cook the chowder for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, use quick release by turning the valve to venting with the back of a spoon. Turn on the saute function (switch to normal heat) and bring the soup to a simmer. Whisk together cream and flour and add it to the soup. Keep stirring the soup till it comes to a boil. Simmer for 4-5 minutes till the soup thickens and turn off the Instant Pot. Mix in the bacon, add some chopped chives. If the soup is too thick, add a little water, milk or broth to it to adjust the consistency.
- Serve this Instant Pot chicken potato corn chowder hot, topped with bacon and chives. The soup can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Video
Notes
- If using frozen corn, make sure the corn is thawed. If using canned corn, drain and rinse the corn before adding it to the chowder
- If you cut the potatoes in advance, soak them in cold water to keep them from browning. Just drain the water before adding them to the chowder
- The soup thickens up when refrigerated, so add a little broth of water while reheating
- For a creamier soup, transfer 1 cup of the soup (before adding the bacon) to a blender and blend till smooth. Then add this back to your soup
- What to serve this soup with? Warm, crust bread tastes best with this soup. I love pairing it with Dominos style Garlic Bread sticks, Dinner Rolls or Pepperoni Cheese Bombs
- I don't recommend freezing this Instant Pot Corn Chowder because it changes texture once it's thawed and isn't as creamy. But this makes for great leftovers!
Rebecca says
I'd love to make this - what kind of potatoes should I use?
Richa says
Any potatoes will work here
Wes says
WOW! This was so good! The jalapeno gives it a nice kick. I added some shredded cheddar to thicken it up while simmering. The onion, pepper and garlic cook down into the broth to give it so many layers of flavor by themselves, and the bacon and spices add even more.
Would definitely like to try this with shredded chicken thighs next time!
Nichole says
Can I use an already cooked rotisserie chicken instead of raw?? And if so how
Richa says
Totally, just add it right at the end once the soup is cooked. Simmer for five minutes and you are done
Brian says
Simply delicious! We’ve made this recipe three times and it’s been great every time. Works well both with and without chicken. Great recipe!
Richa says
Awesome!! I'm so happy you enjoyed it
Betsey says
Can you triple the recipe? I saw that you can double it. How many servings does the recipe make?
Richa Gupta says
Hey Betsey! This corn chowder recipe serves 6, so you can increase the measurements proportionately!
Lisa says
This was really good.
Richa Gupta says
Thanks Lisa! Yes, this Corn Chowder recipe is for keeps 🙂
Jenifer says
I received my instapot for Christmas and found this recipe. Wow!! It is amazing!! Thank you
Richa Gupta says
Woohoo! Welcome to the instant pot club, Jenifer! We have a whole bunch of instant pot recipes you could check out - Chicken Enchilada Soup (Made in the Instant Pot, Pressure Cooker Recipe)
Chuck says
I left the seeds in the Jalapeños and it came out amazing. I’m on my third time making it in a month
Richa Gupta says
Awesome! Glad you liked this chowder recipe, Chuck!
Roma says
Can I double this recipe and it still fit in a 6 qt instant pot?
Richa says
Yes, that'll work Roma
Emily says
Does the chicken breast need to be pre cooked or raw when you put in pot?
Richa says
Its added raw. Doesn't need to be pre cooked
Deepika Mathur says
Hey! This sounds amazing and simple. Want to make this for my folks. But with stove top pressure cooker. Can you guide on the time/ whistles using a regular indian pressure cooker?
Damon Williams says
This is fantastic, my wife and I both loved it. I doubled the recipe and cooked for 12 minutes instead of 10.
Richa Gupta says
Awesome, Damon!
Hazel says
Making this tonight and will also be cleaning out the fridge.😬 I don’t have actual raw bacon, but I have a box of cooked bacon as well as real bacon pieces. Is the fat from cooking the raw bacon essential for flavor or do you think I can use a little oil instead to sauté the onion & garlic? Maybe throw the cooked bacon in the oil for a bit to add a little flavor?
Richa says
Hey Hazel, you can use oil. Bacon fat definitely adds great flavour, but adding bacon will work.
Anna says
This recipe is amazing! It’s just perfect! I don’t even like soups and I made it for my fiancé, but we both gobbled it up. It was GONE in 1 hour! Make this dish people, you will not regret it!!!
Richa says
Thank you so much Anna! So glad you enjoyed this recipe
Martha says
Do the potatoes get mushy being in there for 10 minutes? Should I use a steamer basket to put the potatoes in so they don't boil with everything else?
Richa says
No, they don't. They break down slightly but still hold their shape.