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    Home » Entrees

    Jun 5, 2017 · Modified: Feb 25, 2021 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads · View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer · 8 Comments

    Spicy Clam Chowder with Corn

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This simple Spicy Clam Chowder with Corn is a New England clam chowder with an extra little kick from jalapeños. A summer classic with a couple twists!

    Overhead view of a white bowl of spicy clam chowder with corn topped with bacon and jalapeños and surrounded by oyster crackers with recipe title at top

    One of my favorite thing in the world is coming up with new recipe ideas and planning them out. But sometimes I get writer's block, but for recipe planning. Is that a thing? Maybe food blogger's block? That sounds weird, but if you're a food blogger, I think you know what I'm saying. Even if you're not a food  blogger, but are just someone who cooks dinner, I think you know what I mean. Everyone gets that "what should I make tonight?!" feeling. When it happens to me, I typically turn to my husband and say, "Help! What should my next recipe be?" About two years ago, he came up with the idea for a spicy clam chowder. And ever since then, every time I ask him what I should make, his response is the same: spicy clam chowder.

    It's not that I didn't want to make the spicy clam chowder. It's just that clam chowder has never exactly been my favorite (I'd choose lobster bisque any day) and so, I'd smile and say "OK, honey" every time he told me what to make to the point that it turned into a sort of joke. But finally, I realized that his idea was actually pretty good and that with a little spice, I'd probably be a much bigger fan of clam chowder than I am now (yes, I feel like the worst New Englander ever). So, I gathered up my ingredients, including a hefty dose of jalapeño and dove right in.

    SPICY CLAM CHOWDER WITH CORN RECIPE

    As mentioned, I'm a New Englander, so this is a New England-style clam chowder, though I obviously put a few twists on it that some traditionalists may think are sacrilegious. Like, you know, the spiciness. But really, aside from the little twists, this really did taste like a classic New England clam chowder.

    And guys, this clam chowder is so easy to make. I feel like clam chowder seems like something so labor-intensive and arduous, but it's not at all. I suppose if you shuck your own clams, it ups the difficulty level, but let's face it, I'm not that New England.

    First, you cook up your bacon until it's nice and crispy and then cook your onion and jalapeño in the same pan you cooked the bacon in (in that beautiful bacon grease). Mix in the flour and add potatoes, clam juice, pepper, and thyme. Bring it to a light boil and let cook for about 12 minutes to soften potatoes. As you can see, I opted to use a colorful variety of potatoes.

    Pour cream into saucepan and cook over medium heat until chowder is just about to come to a boil and then stir in tabasco sauce, clams, and corn.
    Collage showing process for making spicy clam chowder with corn, including chopped potatoes in a bowl, onion and jalapeños cooking in bacon fat, and New England clam chowder simmering in pot

    Serve in bowls and top with crumbled bacon and additional sliced jalapeño and corn, if desired. And oyster crackers, duh.

     

    Aside from making it spicy, the other twist I gave the chowder is to add in some fresh corn. I'm just so excited that it's corn season again that I couldn't resist. Do not be mistaken; this is definitely not a corn chowder. It's a spicy New England clam chowder with corn.

    And all other kinds of deliciousness, like plenty of clams. And tri-colored potatoes. And bacon.

    A spoonful of spicy clam chowder with corn, potatoes, and clams being held over a bowl

    Neither Chris nor I thought this was overly spicy, but we also love spice and it takes a lot for us to feel like it's too much. If you want the jalapeño flavor, but are worried about too much spiciness, just make sure to remove all the seeds from the pepper. Though something tells me you wouldn't be looking at this recipe for spicy clam chowder if you weren't at least a little bit intrigued by some spice.

    Closeup view of a white bowl of spicy clam chowder with corn topped with jalapeño slices and bacon crumbles with oyster crackers and jalapeño in background

    This recipe has made me so excited for summer to really start and to spend some serious time in Maine. The New England weather has been so "meh" lately with so much rain and cold (it's in the 50s today!). But if things improve by the end of the week, I'll soon be enjoying my first lobster roll of the season. And maybe I'll just have to order a bowl of clam chowder, too. Do you think they'd mix in some jalapeños if I asked nicely??

    Overhead view of a white bowl of spicy clam chowder with corn topped with bacon and jalapeños and surrounded by oyster crackers

    I hope this spicy clam chowder recipe leaves you feeling nice and summery on this Monday, no matter what weather you may be experiencing where you are!

    What's the best clam chowder you've ever had?

    If you like this chowder recipe, be sure to check out my recipe for Clam Chowder Potato Skins or my Chilled Mexican Corn Bisque with Shrimp. I also can't wait to try this Smoked Salmon Chowder from Skinnytaste!

    📖 Recipe

    Spicy Clam Chowder with Corn

    This simple Spicy Clam Chowder with Corn is a New England style clam chowder with an extra little kick from jalapeños. A summer classic with a couple twists!
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Chowder Recipes, New England Clam Chowder
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Makes: 5 servings
    Author: Sues

    Ingredients

    • 5 slices thick-cut bacon
    • 1 small onion, diced
    • ¼ cup finely chopped jalapeño pepper, plus sliced jalapeño for topping chowder, if desired
    • 2 Tbsp flour
    • ¾ lb. potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces (I used a mixture of red, yellow, and purple)
    • 8 oz. bottled clam juice
    • ½ tsp black pepper
    • ¼ tsp dried thyme
    • 2 cups cream
    • 1 ½ tsp tabasco
    • ¾ lbs. fresh chopped clams
    • 1 ½ cups fresh corn kernels
    • Salt, to taste

    Instructions

    • Cook bacon in a large saucepan or dutch oven over low heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving bacon grease in pan.
    • Add onion and jalapeño pepper to pan and sauté for about 6 minutes to soften.
    • Mix flour in and cook for 1 minute.
    • Add potatoes, clam juice, pepper, and thyme bring to a light boil. Cook for about 12 minutes to soften potatoes.
    • Pour cream into saucepan and cook over medium heat until chowder is just about to come to a boil.
    • Stir in tabasco sauce, clams, and corn. Add salt to taste.
    • Serve in bowls and top with crumbled bacon and additional sliced jalapeño and corn, if desired.
    Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!

     

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emily says

      June 05, 2017 at 11:52 am

      This looks delightful, especially on a cool day here in NE! I hear you on meal planning...lately the weather has helped me plan dinners for grill-weather-night or something-involving-the-oven!

    2. Maria @ kitchenathoskins says

      June 05, 2017 at 12:23 pm

      Anything with jalapeños wins my heart. Staying in the San Francisco bay area, clam chowders are our family's favorite everytime we visit the city. My husband would love this, have a great week:)

    3. Tandy I Lavender and Lime says

      June 05, 2017 at 11:57 pm

      I think this sounds perfect for the winter weather that's finally about to slam us. Clever Chris. And I often get recipe block as well.

    4. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

      June 06, 2017 at 6:31 am

      I get recipe blocks too, even though I have a huuuge list of new dishes I want to make, test, etc. But sometimes, I just don't want to muster that effort. But I totally would for this! Clam chowder is one of my favorite soups, and I'm loving your spicy version! Sounds SO good for an easy summer meal!

    5. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

      June 06, 2017 at 10:52 am

      I totally know what you mean about food bloggers block. Every few weeks I go through a phase where I can't come up with interesting recipes and I think I'll never come up with anything good again and I should just hang up my computer. I hate it! But this chowder sounds great. I love spice (and chowder) so this is right up my alley 🙂

    6. Tia says

      June 07, 2017 at 7:40 am

      Oooh! I love clam chowder and jalapeños son bring this on! It's such a pretty bowl of soup!!!

    7. Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says

      June 08, 2017 at 10:26 am

      I can totally relate to having writers block...but for meal planning/recipe planning. It's totally a thing lol. This chowder looks absolutely amazing, and I legit have been craving anything with corn, so this is going on the menu asap!

    Trackbacks

    1. Friday I'm in Love: So Much Celebrating says:
      June 18, 2017 at 12:58 am

      […] Sweet Potato Noodle Bowls from Cooking Light Spicy Clam Chowder with Corn (a new WANM recipe) Cheesy Jalapeño Skillet from The Chunky Chef 1-Skillet Chicken Cacciatore […]

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