Rich and Velvety Creamy Shrimp and Clam Chowder Recipe Full of Flavor

Introduction

When you crave something hearty and unforgettable, this Rich and Velvety Creamy Shrimp and Clam Chowder delivers. Packed with succulent shrimp, tender clams, and a luscious creamy broth, it’s a crowd-pleasing comfort dish that comes together with surprising ease. It will instantly elevate any weeknight dinner or special occasion meal with its robust, ocean-fresh flavors and luxurious texture.

Unforgettable Creamy Seafood Chowder at Home

What makes this chowder truly spectacular is the deeply savory base, enriched with tender potatoes and aromatic vegetables, and loaded with a generous mix of shrimp and clams. Each spoonful boasts a perfect harmony of briny seafood, sweet corn, a kiss of smoky bacon, and rich, creamy broth. It’s satisfying enough for a main meal and sure to warm you from the inside out.

Building Incredible Flavor in Your Chowder

The key is sautéing the vegetables in bacon drippings to build a flavorful foundation. Adding the seafood at the end ensures it stays plump and juicy without becoming rubbery. Use quality clam juice and cream for the base, and finish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon for brightness. Letting the chowder rest for a few minutes before serving helps the flavors fully meld for a restaurant-quality result.

Perfect Pairings and Presentation

Serve this Creamy Shrimp and Clam Chowder with crusty bread or oyster crackers for dipping. Garnish with chopped chives or parsley and a grind of black pepper for a polished, inviting look. For a special touch, offer lemon wedges on the side—the fresh acidity perfectly balances the richness of the broth.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 6 hearty servings. Each bowl contains approximately 350–400 calories, making this chowder a filling option packed with protein and essential minerals from the seafood.

Rich and Velvety Creamy Shrimp and Clam Chowder Recap

Balanced, indulgent, and brimming with fresh seafood, this chowder is sure to win hearts. The layered flavors and dreamy texture are why it’s destined to become a staple in your recipe rotation.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically create a sorted shopping list with everything you need for this chowder—no more mid-week grocery runs! CookifyAI ensures you always remember the seafood, cream, and every last vegetable for stress-free meal prep.

Instructions

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving drippings in the pot.
2. Add butter to the pot. Sauté onion and celery in the bacon fat and butter over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
3. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables, stirring for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw taste.
4. Gradually pour in clam juice (plus any reserved juice from the canned clams), stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add diced potatoes, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until potatoes are just tender, about 10–12 minutes.
5. Stir in heavy cream, milk, corn, clams, and shrimp. Simmer gently for 4–5 minutes—just until the shrimp is cooked through and the chowder is creamy. Do not boil.
6. Remove the bay leaf and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Let chowder rest off the heat for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
7. Ladle into bowls and garnish each with crisp bacon, fresh chives or parsley, and a squeeze of lemon if desired. Serve hot with bread or crackers.

Weekly Meal Planning

This chowder is an ideal candidate for your meal plan—make a batch for dinner, then portion leftovers for satisfying lunches. Save and schedule this recipe in CookifyAI’s weekly planner to automatically organize your entire week, ensuring you buy just the right quantities—never too much, never too little.

Planning Benefits:

• Aggregates ingredients from all your recipes so shopping is one simple trip.
• Sorts items by grocery aisle—for efficient, no-backtracking store visits.
• Prevents duplicate purchases and ensures you don’t forget essentials.
• Helps manage leftovers by slotting meals and portions throughout the week, reducing waste.

Pro tip: Planning this chowder alongside other seafood or potato recipes? Schedule your weekly meals and let CookifyAI consolidate ingredients for you—so you buy exactly what you need, exactly when you need it.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Enjoy this full-flavored, rich, and velvety chowder as the centerpiece of your weekly meal plan—and let CookifyAI make both cooking and shopping smooth and stress-free every time!