Heart-Healthy Bacon Corn Chowder

Warm up with a comforting bowl of **Heart-Healthy Bacon Corn Chowder**, a lighter twist on a classic favorite that's big on flavor but kind to your heart. This creamy chowder combines smoky turkey bacon, sweet corn kernels, and tender russet potatoes with vibrant vegetables like red bell pepper and carrots, all simmered in a luscious base of low-sodium chicken broth and fat-free half-and-half. A touch of fresh thyme and a hint of garlic add depth, while partially blending the soup ensures a velvety texture with satisfying chunks in every bite. Garnished with crisp turkey bacon crumbles, fresh parsley, and green onions, this nutritious dish is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy winter evenings. Ready in just an hour, it’s a wholesome, family-friendly dinner that’s both hearty and heart-smart.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 slices turkey bacon
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 2 diced celery stalks
• 1 large, diced carrot
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 diced red bell pepper
• 3 cups (fresh or frozen) corn kernels
• 2 medium, peeled and diced russet potatoes
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup fat-free half-and-half
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 sliced (for garnish) green onions
• 2 tablespoons, chopped (for garnish) fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the turkey bacon and cook until crisp, about 6 minutes. Remove the bacon and set aside, but leave the drippings in the pot.

Step 2

Add the onion, celery, and carrot to the pot. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the garlic and red bell pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the corn, potatoes, chicken broth, half-and-half, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.

Step 6

Meanwhile, crumble the cooked turkey bacon.

Step 7

Once the potatoes are tender, remove the bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup, leaving some chunks for texture, or mash lightly with a potato masher.

Step 8

Stir the crumbled turkey bacon into the chowder, reserving a little for garnish.

Step 9

Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Step 10

Ladle the chowder into bowls and garnish with sliced green onions, fresh parsley, and reserved bacon.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2940.6 grams (2940.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1670

Total Fat 54.50g	70%
Saturated Fat 10.00g	50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.50g
Cholesterol 101mg	34%
Sodium 3592mg	156%
Total Carbohydrate 242.20g	88%
Dietary Fiber 31.30g	112%
Total Sugars 78.00g
Protein 69.00g	138%

Vitamin D 32IU	159%
Calcium 771mg	59%
Iron 11mg	62%
Potassium 6068mg	129%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 28.3%

Protein: 15.9%

Carbs: 55.8%