There’s something magical about coming home to a slow cooker filled with bubbling, comforting soup, especially when it’s my slow cooker chicken corn chowder. This recipe became my go-to during those first chilly nights when my youngest caught a school cold, and now it’s our family’s edible hug in a bowl. I love how the corn sweetens up the savory broth while the chicken gets so tender it practically shreds itself after hours of gentle cooking.
What makes this chowder special? It’s packed with immune-boosting ingredients like garlic and carrots (I swear by it during flu season), yet simple enough to throw together in 15 minutes before school drop-off. My neighbor joked it should be called “lazy mom’s chicken soup”, until she tasted the rich, creamy texture and asked for the recipe. Whether you’re fighting off a sniffle or just craving cozy flavors, this chowder delivers warmth without fuss. Pro tip: the leftovers taste even better next day when all those flavors marry together!
PrintSlow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder for 6 Hours of Comfort
A warm and comforting slow cooker chicken corn chowder packed with healthy ingredients. Perfect for cold days or when you need an immune boost.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1 diced onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 2 diced carrots
- 2 diced celery stalks
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker
- Add corn, onion, garlic, carrots, and celery
- Pour in chicken broth
- Cook on low for 6 hours
- Shred chicken with forks
- Stir in milk and seasonings
- Cook for another 30 minutes
Notes
- For keto version: use heavy cream instead of milk and reduce corn
- For low-calorie option: use almond milk and increase vegetables
- Freezes well for up to 3 months
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder
This isn’t just any chicken soup, it’s the cozy, effortless meal you’ll crave all season long. Here’s why it’s become my family’s favorite:
- Set-it-and-forget-it easy: Dump everything in the crockpot before work, and come home to a house smelling like grandma’s kitchen
- Cold-fighting superpowers: Garlic, thyme, and that golden broth work harder than vitamin C when sniffles strike
- Magic texture: The corn naturally thickens the chowder while keeping it light, no gloppy cream-of-anything soups here!
- Shape-shifter recipe: Swap milk for almond milk to cut calories, or use heavy cream for keto indulgence
- Freezer goldmine: I always double the batch because frozen portions save me on exhausted weeknights
Trust me, one spoonful of that sweet corn swimming in savory broth with melt-in-your-mouth chicken, and you’ll understand why my kids call it “happy soup.”
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder
Gathering ingredients for this chowder is like assembling a cozy dream team, each one plays a special role. Here’s what you’ll need (and why each matters):
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The lean protein star that shreds into silky ribbons (thighs work too for richer flavor)
- 3 cups corn kernels: Fresh-cut sweet corn in summer, frozen kernels in winter, both work beautifully
- 1 large onion, diced: My secret? Sweat it slightly before adding for deeper flavor (but lazy-day raw works too)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced: Don’t skimp, this is your immune-boosting powerhouse
- 2 carrots & 2 celery stalks, diced: Chop them chunky for texture or small for picky eaters
- 4 cups chicken broth: Homemade if you’re fancy, boxed if you’re human, just avoid super-salty brands
- 1 cup milk: Whole milk makes it luxe, but I’ve used everything from almond to oat milk in a pinch
- 1 tsp each thyme & salt + ½ tsp pepper: Basic trio that makes everything sing
See? Nothing weird, just pantry staples that transform into magic while you go about your day.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder
Making this chowder is easier than remembering to turn off the crockpot (which I’ve definitely forgotten to do before, oops!). Here’s exactly how I layer everything for foolproof results every time:
- Layer the goods: Plop those chicken breasts right in the slow cooker, no need to pre-cook! Scatter the corn, onion, garlic, carrots, and celery around them like you’re tucking them into a veggie blanket.
- Pour the liquid gold: Slowly drizzle the chicken broth over everything. I like to angle my measuring cup against the side so it doesn’t disturb my pretty vegetable arrangement too much.
- Set it and forget it: Lid on, set to low for 6 hours (or high for 3 if you’re impatient like me sometimes). Walk away, this is when the magic happens!
- Shred time: After 6 hours, fish out the chicken with tongs. It should practically fall apart when you poke it with forks. Shred it right on a cutting board, no fancy tools needed.
- Bring it all together: Return the chicken to the pot, stir in the milk and seasonings, and let it mingle for another 30 minutes. This is when the broth turns creamy and the flavors marry.
The hardest part? Not diving in face-first when that first steamy bowl hits the table. My kids swear it tastes like liquid sunshine!
Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder
After making this chowder more times than I can count, here are my can’t-live-without tricks:
- Creamy hack: For extra richness without more milk, blend 1-2 cups of the soup (carefully!) and stir it back in, instant velvety texture!
- Herb upgrade: Swap dried thyme for fresh sprigs if you’ve got them, just fish them out before serving.
- Corn trick: If using frozen corn, no need to thaw, toss it in straight from the bag!
- Chicken check: If your chicken isn’t shreddable after 6 hours, give it another 30-60 minutes. Slow cookers can vary.
- Safety first: Always make sure your broth comes to a gentle bubble before adding dairy to prevent curdling.
Variations for Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder
One of my favorite things about this chowder is how easily it adapts to different diets, I’ve tweaked it for keto friends, calorie-counters, and even my veggie-loving sister! Here are my go-to twists:
- Keto dream: Swap milk for heavy cream and reduce corn to 1 cup, add extra diced zucchini instead. So rich you’ll swear it’s cheating!
- Light & bright: Almond milk keeps it creamy at half the calories, and doubling the carrots/celery adds satisfying crunch.
- Smoky upgrade: My kids go nuts when I add chopped turkey bacon, just brown it first for maximum flavor.
- Spice it up: A diced jalapeño with the onions gives grown-ups a nice kick (remove seeds if you’re spice-shy).
The base recipe is like your favorite sweater, comfortable as-is, but fun to accessorize! If you enjoy cozy chicken recipes, you might also love this creamy garlic parmesan chicken soup.
Serving and Storing Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder
Here’s how I make this chowder feel extra special at the table, and keep it tasting amazing for days:
- Toppings bar: Set out bowls of shredded cheddar, chopped green onions, and fresh parsley, let everyone customize their perfect bite!
- Bread situation: A crusty baguette for dipping is mandatory in my house, but oyster crackers work great for kids.
- Freezer magic: Portion cooled chowder into freezer bags (lay flat to save space!) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Next-day tip: The broth thickens beautifully in the fridge, just add a splash of broth or milk when reheating.
Pro tip from my many leftovers lunches: This chowder tastes even better reheated in a thermos, the flavors deepen overnight! For more comforting meals, check out this cozy homestyle chicken soup.
Nutritional Information for Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder
Here’s the skinny on this cozy bowl of goodness, but remember, numbers dance a bit depending on your exact ingredients (I’m looking at you, extra-cheesy toppings lovers!). Per generous serving, you’re looking at:
- 280 calories, Just right for a satisfying meal
- 24g protein, Thanks to that lean chicken doing heavy lifting
- 32g carbs, Mostly from the sweet corn goodness
- 4g fiber, Those sneaky veggies working overtime
Pro tip: Using almond milk instead of dairy? You’ll shave off about 50 calories per bowl while keeping all that creamy comfort! If you are looking for other ways to use corn, this creamy corn chicken soup is fantastic.
FAQs About Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder
After years of making this chowder (and fielding texts from friends trying it), here are the questions I get asked most:
Can I use frozen corn instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen corn works beautifully, just toss it in straight from the freezer. I actually keep a bag in my freezer specifically for emergency chowder cravings. The texture stays perfect after slow cooking.
How do I make this keto-friendly?
Two easy swaps: use heavy cream instead of milk and reduce the corn to 1 cup. I like adding extra diced zucchini or cauliflower to bulk it up. The result is so creamy and rich, you won’t miss the carbs!
Why add the milk at the end?
This prevents curdling, dairy can sometimes get weird if it cooks too long. The 30-minute warm-up at the end is just enough to blend flavors without risking separation.
Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
You bet! Sauté the onions first, then pressure cook everything (except milk) for 15 minutes. Quick release, shred chicken, stir in milk, done in under 30 minutes!
Is this really good for colds?
From personal experience, yes! The garlic and thyme work like nature’s decongestant, and that warm broth soothes sore throats. My kids call it “medicine soup” (but happily eat it!).
Nothing makes me happier than hearing how this chowder becomes part of your family’s story too! Did your picky eater actually ask for seconds? Found a genius new topping combo? Drop a comment below, I read every one while sipping my own bowl of chowder. Your twists and reviews help other home cooks discover this cozy magic! For more recipe inspiration, visit Family Tastes.