1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Street Corn Chowder

Creamy Street Corn Chowder

Featured in Big pots of steaming, hearty soup.

This heartwarming chowder delivers the vibrant taste of Mexican street corn. Slow-cooked with corn, chicken, and potatoes, it's finished with bacon and cotija cheese for a comforting twist.

Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Tue, 27 May 2025 10:15:09 GMT
A creamy chowder garnished with cilantro, cotija cheese, and lime, served with tortilla chips and salt on the side. Pin it
A creamy chowder garnished with cilantro, cotija cheese, and lime, served with tortilla chips and salt on the side. | tasteofsavor.com

Here's my go-to Slow Cooker Mexican Street Corn Soup. Think of that savory street corn flavor all loaded into a warm, comforting bowl. I toss everything in at once—corn, chicken, potatoes, and a load of spices. Top it off with some crunchy bacon, salty cotija, and a hit of lime juice, and you'll want seconds right away.

Big Reasons You’ll Love This

This one hits different. There’s something about the richness and smoke that’s just like those corn cups you eat on the street, but packed with filling chicken and veggies. I dig how you can just set it up in the slow cooker or go with the Instant Pot if you’re short on time. Change up the spice, skip the dairy if you want—make it totally yours.

Stuff You’ll Need

  • Hearty Add-In: Go with russet potatoes for a soft, thick touch.
  • The Real Deal Base: Creamy cream cheese or crème fraîche at the end keeps things smooth.
  • Power Protein: Boneless chicken breast keeps things light but not boring.
  • Veggie Shortcuts: Grab frozen corn to save a step.
  • Kick It Up: Poblano peppers bring a mellow heat you’ll love.
  • Flavor Makers: Don’t skip onion and garlic, trust me.
  • Bold & Smoky: A spoonful of chipotle in adobo really changes things up.
  • Spices That Matter: Chili powder plus cumin bring everything together.
  • Liquid Gold: Use flavorful chicken broth as your base.
  • Go Crazy On Top: Top it how you want—bacon, fresh cilantro, lime, and cotija cheese.
A serving of creamy corn soup with cheese, fresh cilantro, and tomatoes on top, plus lime slices nearby. Pin it
A serving of creamy corn soup with cheese, fresh cilantro, and tomatoes on top, plus lime slices nearby. | tasteofsavor.com

Simple Steps To Make It

Finish With Yummy Toppings
Crisp up your bacon, then pile on fresh cilantro, lots of cheese, and a good squeeze of lime juice up top.
Make It Thick And Creamy
Once cooked, add the cream cheese, then shred all the chicken—it melts together and tastes amazing.
Let It Do Its Thing
Pop the lid on and let it bubble on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or kick it up to HIGH for 3 to 4.
Pack The Pot Full
Dump in potatoes, chicken breast, corn, and all your spices and broth.
Build The Flavor First
Sauté those garlic, onion, and poblanos till soft and you can smell everything.

Faster Instant Pot Directions

Instant Pot fans—just cook the garlic, peppers, and onion in the pot, toss in the rest, seal, and set for 15 minutes. Let the steam out, stir in creamy goodness, and finish with all your toppings. That’s a fast meal right there.

Store Some For Next Time

You can stash this in your fridge for about seven days or freeze the soup (skip toppings) for three months easy. Warm up slow and stir well before eating. Always toss toppings on last so they’re fresh and tasty.

Creamy corn soup in a bowl, loaded with cilantro, extra corn, and cheese, plus lime wedges nearby. Pin it
Creamy corn soup in a bowl, loaded with cilantro, extra corn, and cheese, plus lime wedges nearby. | tasteofsavor.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How can I tone down the spice?
Skip the chipotle or swap the jalapeño for a poblano if you want it milder.
→ Is frozen chicken okay to use?
No, thaw the chicken first to ensure it cooks properly in the slow cooker.
→ What’s similar to cotija cheese?
Feta works as an alternative but has a saltier taste. Adjust salt to balance.
→ Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, but freeze before adding the cream cheese. Add it fresh when reheating for a better texture.
→ Why is sautéing veggies important?
It enhances the flavors of onions and peppers while releasing the aroma of the spices.

Street Corn Chowder

A rich and comforting chowder slow-cooked with chicken, potatoes, sweet corn, smoky bacon, and topped with crumbled cotija cheese.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
360 Minutes
Total Time
370 Minutes
By: Alicia

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Mexican-American

Yield: 6 Servings (1 pot)

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1 tablespoon olive oil.
02 1 white onion, chopped up.
03 1 poblano or jalapeño pepper, finely chopped.
04 2 garlic cloves, crushed.
05 2 teaspoons cumin powder.
06 2 teaspoons ground chili powder.
07 1 teaspoon fine sea salt.
08 2 cups of frozen corn kernels.
09 2 medium-sized russet potatoes, peeled and diced.
10 1 chipotle pepper from adobo sauce, minced.
11 2 tablespoons adobo sauce.
12 1 pound chicken breast fillets.
13 6 cups of chicken broth.
14 8 ounces of softened cream cheese.
15 6 slices of crispy bacon.
16 For topping: 2 limes.
17 Freshly chopped cilantro.
18 1/2 cup of crumbled cotija cheese.

Instructions

Step 01

In a pan, warm the olive oil on medium heat, toss in onion, garlic, and pepper. Stir in cumin and chili powder, cook for a few minutes more.

Step 02

Place cooked veggies in the slow cooker, then mix in frozen corn, diced chipotle, adobo, raw chicken, potatoes, and broth.

Step 03

Let it slowly cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, then toss in cream cheese for the last 30 minutes.

Step 04

Fry bacon until crunchy, then crumble it and chop up the cilantro.

Step 05

Top with bacon pieces, lime juice, cilantro sprigs, and crumbled cotija cheese before serving.

Notes

  1. Reduce the spice level by using less chipotle.
  2. Always use thawed chicken for safety.
  3. Cotija cheese can be swapped with feta.
  4. If freezing, skip adding cream cheese until reheating.

Tools You'll Need

  • A slow cooker.
  • A large pan to sauté.
  • A cutting board.
  • A sharp knife.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (includes cream cheese and cotija cheese).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 527
  • Total Fat: 31 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 36 g
  • Protein: 29 g