Quick & Hearty Creamy Mexican Corn Chowder Recipe That Wows

Mexican corn chowder blends hearty comfort with vibrant southwestern flavors, creating a soul-warming dish that enhances ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Rich and velvety textures dance alongside sweet corn kernels and subtle spices, promising a delightful journey through regional cuisine.

Home cooks adore this recipe for its straightforward preparation and remarkable depth of flavor.

Traditional ingredients mingle seamlessly, offering a perfect balance between creamy consistency and robust taste profiles.

Rustic yet sophisticated, this chowder represents more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of cultural culinary traditions.

Warm and inviting, each spoonful tells a story of heritage and passionate cooking.

Grab your favorite pot and get ready to impress everyone at the dinner table.

Creamy Mexican Corn Chowder That’s Full of Flavor

• Flavor Explosion: Packed with vibrant Mexican-inspired tastes that dance on your tongue, this chowder blends sweet corn, tangy lime, spicy chili powder, and rich cheeses for a mouthwatering experience.
• Textural Delight: Creamy base meets charred corn kernels, creating a perfect balance between smooth and crunchy textures that make every spoonful interesting and satisfying.
• Quick Comfort Meal: Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pot wonder delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it ideal for busy weeknights or spontaneous dinner cravings.

Ingredients List for Creamy Mexican Corn Chowder

Main Ingredients:

• Corn: Sweet corn brings rich, earthy flavor with a delightful charred texture.
• Onion: Provides a robust, aromatic base for the chowder's depth.

• Cotija Cheese, Pepper Jack Cheese: Creamy cheeses offer tangy, spicy, and rich dairy notes.

• Chicken Broth: Builds a flavorful, savory foundation for the chowder.
• Half & Half: Creates a smooth, luxurious and creamy consistency.

Supporting Ingredients:

• Garlic: Adds intense, pungent flavor and aromatic complexity.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb brings bright, zesty and herbal undertones.

• Red Pepper: Introduces sweet, mild pepper flavor with vibrant color.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing overall taste.
• Lime Juice: Provides tangy, citrusy brightness and balance.

• Chili Powder, Garlic Powder: Delivers warm, complex and slightly spicy notes.

Additional Components:

• Extra Cotija Cheese, Cilantro, Charred Corn: Adds texture, freshness, and visual appeal.

Cooking Instructions for Creamy Mexican Corn Chowder

Step 1: Kickstart The Corn Sizzle

• Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat
• Add frozen corn, onion, salt, and pepper
• Cook while stirring occasionally for 10 minutes until corn develops golden edges
• Transfer 1 cup of corn mixture to a separate bowl for later garnishing

Step 2: Awaken The Aromatic Base

• Introduce grated garlic to the pot
• Stir for approximately 1 minute
• Pour chicken broth into the pot
• Scrape browned bits from bottom to enhance flavor
• Simmer mixture for 6 minutes

Step 3: Create Silky Smooth Foundation

• Carefully transfer mixture to blender
• Leave center cap slightly open for steam release
• Blend until completely smooth
• Return blended mixture to pot over low heat

Step 4: Layer Incredible Flavors

• Cotija cheese
• Pepper jack cheese
• Red pepper
• Half & half
• Reserved corn
• Cilantro
• Lime juice
• Garlic powder
• Chili powder

Taste and adjust seasonings

Simmer for 10 minutes

Step 5: Serve With Spectacular Flair

• Ladle chowder into serving bowls
• Top with additional Cotija cheese
• Sprinkle chopped cilantro
• Add reserved charred corn
• Dust with chili powder
• Squeeze fresh lime juice
• Serve piping hot

Tips to Maximize Creaminess in This Chowder

• Char Corn Carefully: Browning corn adds deep, smoky flavor, so don't rush the process. Let corn develop rich caramelization without burning by stirring occasionally and watching heat level.
• Blend Safely: When blending hot liquids, remove center cap and cover with a towel to prevent steam explosions. Blend in batches if pot is too full to ensure smooth consistency.
• Layer Cheese Strategically: Add cheeses gradually and stir continuously to prevent clumping. Cotija and pepper jack melt differently, so incorporate slowly for creamy texture.
• Adjust Spice Levels: Start with smaller amounts of chili powder and taste as you go. Mexican dishes shine when heat builds gradually, allowing complex flavors to develop.
• Fresh Garnish Matters: Use room temperature cilantro and squeeze lime juice right before serving to maintain bright, fresh taste and prevent wilting of herbs.

How to Store and Reheat Mexican Corn Chowder

• Refrigerate: Transfer chowder to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is completely sealed to maintain freshness.
• Freeze: Pour cooled chowder into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing garnishes like fresh cilantro or cheese.
• Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of chicken broth or half & half to restore creamy consistency. Microwave in short intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Top with fresh garnishes after reheating to preserve their texture and flavor.

Great Side Options for Corn Chowder

• Pair with Crisp Mexican Lager: Crack open a cold Corona or Modelo Especial to complement the chowder's creamy, spicy profile. The light beer cuts through the richness and refreshes your palate between spoonfuls.
• Serve with Jalapeño Cornbread: Whip up a quick jalapeño cornbread on the side to add a crunchy texture and echo the corn theme. Its slight heat and buttery base perfectly match the chowder's complex flavors.
• Add Zesty Avocado Salad: Create a simple avocado salad with lime, cilantro, and a touch of salt. This fresh, cool side dish balances the warm, creamy chowder and provides a bright contrast to the dish's richness.
• Complement with Margarita: Mix a classic margarita with fresh lime juice to enhance the citrusy notes in the chowder. The tequila's subtle kick and the drink's tangy profile elevate the meal's overall Mexican-inspired experience.

Flavor Twists for Creamy Mexican Corn Chowder

• Mexican Street Corn Chowder: Transform the recipe by adding grilled street corn kernels, mayonnaise, and extra cotija cheese for an authentic elote-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwestern Chowder: Incorporate diced jalapeños, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and smoked paprika to create a bolder, more intense heat level that kicks up the traditional recipe.
• Vegetarian Green Chile Chowder: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth, add roasted green chiles, and include plant-based cheese alternatives for a meat-free version that maintains rich, creamy texture and robust southwestern flavors.
• Seafood Corn Chowder: Introduce sautéed shrimp or crab meat to the base recipe, enhancing the chowder with coastal protein and complementing the existing corn and cheese elements for a luxurious seafood-inspired variation.

Creamy Mexican Corn Chowder Recipe

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4.9 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mexican corn chowder brings comfort and zest to your dinner table with its rich, velvety base and bold southwestern flavors. Hearty kernels of sweet corn swim alongside tender vegetables, creating a soul-warming bowl that celebrates authentic Mexican culinary traditions you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 10-ounce (280 grams) bags of frozen corn, cooked
• 2 cups half & half
• 14.5 ounces (411 grams) can of chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
• ½ cup crumbled Cotija cheese

Vegetables and Herbs:

• ½ white onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, grated
• 1 red pepper, seeded and diced
• 1–2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Seasonings and Oils:

• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lime juice

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot and heat vegetable oil over medium temperature, introducing frozen corn, diced onion, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to transform, stirring periodically until corn develops rich golden-brown edges and subtle charred characteristics.
2. Extract one cup of the roasted corn mixture, reserving it for final presentation garnish.
3. Incorporate grated garlic into the pot, stirring briefly to release aromatic compounds. Pour chicken broth, carefully lifting any caramelized fragments from the pot’s base to enhance depth of flavor.
4. Allow the liquid mixture to gently simmer, developing complex flavor profiles.
5. Transfer the entire mixture to a blender, ensuring steam can escape through the center cap. Puree until achieving a velvety, uniform consistency.
6. Return the blended base to the pot, maintaining low heat.
7. Introduce Cotija cheese, pepper jack cheese, diced red pepper, half & half, reserved corn kernels, cilantro, lime juice, garlic powder, and chili powder. Taste and calibrate seasoning, potentially intensifying heat with additional chili powder.
8. Permit the chowder to simmer, allowing ingredients to harmonize and meld flavors.
9. Ladle the creamy chowder into serving vessels, embellishing with extra crumbled Cotija, fresh cilantro, reserved charred corn, a delicate chili powder dusting, and a refreshing lime juice accent.

Notes

• Charred corn adds a smoky depth, intensifying the overall flavor profile of this creamy Mexican-inspired soup.
• Blending a portion of the corn mixture creates a velvety texture while keeping some whole kernels for delightful bite and visual appeal.
• Select high-quality Cotija and pepper jack cheeses to elevate the chowder’s richness and authentic Mexican essence.
• Reserve some charred corn before blending to use as a vibrant, flavorful garnish that adds textural contrast.
• Adjust chili powder to control the heat level, allowing customization for different spice tolerances.
• Fresh lime juice at the end brightens the entire dish, cutting through the creamy base and adding a zesty finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 392
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 709 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 63 mg