Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken Chowder

Get out your slow cooker, this Southwest Chicken Chowder is a fix and forget it dinner recipe! Packed with potatoes, corn, and chicken, you’ll love the kick of flavor from the jalapenos, salsa, and taco seasoning!

Love slow cooker recipes? Add Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup to your must-try list next. Or try our easy Slow Cooker Apple Cake!

Chicken chowder with cheese, avocado, and tortilla strips!


Why this Recipe Works

When life gets busy, I make on my slow cooker recipes. The key to delicious meals in the crockpot though is SEASONING.

Today’s chicken corn chowder is INCREDIBLE.

  • Set it and forget it. Put everything in your crockpot and walk away while dinner cooks!
  • Hearty and flavorful. Taco seasoning adds the perfect kick to the creamy chicken chowder.
  • Nourishing and delicious. With plenty of protein and natural ingredients, this is a meal you’ll feel good about serving your family.
  • Make it your own. Add black beans, cream cheese or more cheese to customize your chowder to your heart’s content! It’s delicious every way.

If this sound delicious, you’ve got to try our southwest chicken salad next! So hearty and flavorful, and similar to our easy layered chicken taco salad recipe.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients needed to make chicken chowder.

With basic pantry items, and easy ingredients, you’ll love today’s chowder. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

  • Protein. I prefer using chicken breasts, but thighs work too. Black beans or pinto beans are a great addition!
  • Spices. I used my go-to Homemade Taco Seasoning to season the Slow Cooker Chicken Chowder. We also added cumin and garlic too. Using salsa verde creates a rich mexican flavor, without all the chunks my kids hate. Any kind of salsa works great here.
  • Veggies. Add in corn (canned, frozen, or fresh roasted corn works great). You’ll want onion and jalapenos too!
  • Cheddar cheese. Colby Jack, Monterrey or your favorite Mexican cheese blend works well too.
  • Base. We use chicken broth (or bone broth) to create the base of today’s soup. Add in heavy cream to make it just a little creamier. You can also add plain greek yogurt right before serving too.

Tips & Tricks

  • Shred cheese yourself. Freshly shredded cheese melts into the chicken chowder so much better than store bought.
  • For a thicker chicken chowder: add 4 oz of cream cheese and 1/2 cup of sour cream in the last 30 minutes of slow cooking.
  • Black bean chicken chowder. Add a can of black beans to the chowder for even more heartiness.
  • Stove Top. Skip the crockpot and make this on the stove top instead. Let simmer for several hours, shred chicken, continue to simmer until ready to serve. You can also use already cooked shredded chicken to speed up the process.
Step by step photos showing how to make chicken corn chowder.

Serving Suggestions

Homemade chowder is a perfect vehicle for all your favorite southwestern toppings. Here are the toppings we love to load on to this chicken chowder just before serving.

  • Tortilla strips
  • Avocado slices
  • Shredded cheese
  • Sour cream.
  • Fresh chopped cilantro.

Make it your own. You could make a vegetarian chowder by leaving out the chicken and added extra beans. Or give it a new flavor by swapping out the heavy cream and replacing it with coconut milk!

Southwest chicken chowder in a bowl with crockpot in back.

Recipe FAQs

How do you store leftover chicken chowder?

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator and enjoy reheated within 3 days.

Can I freeze chicken chowder?

Yes, chicken corn chowder can be frozen after cooking, for up to 3 months.

Will frozen corn work instead of canned?

Yes, I have made this with recipe with canned, frozen and fresh corn and it’s wonderful every way.

More Easy Dinner Recipes

Southwest Chicken Chowder

5 from 6 votes
By: Aimee
Get our your slow cooker, this Southwest Chicken Chowder is a fix and forget it dinner recipe! Packed with potatoes, corn and chicken, you'll love the kick of flavor from the jalapenos, salsa and taco seasoning!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients 

  • 3 cups diced potatoes washed (about 3-4 potatoes)
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic pressed
  • 1 jalapeno seeded and diced
  • 2 cans corn, drained 15 ounce each
  • ½ cup salsa verde
  • 1 Tablespoon cumin
  • 2 Tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 32 ounce chicken broth
  • 1 pound boneless skinless, chicken breasts
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 avocado diced, optional
  • 1 cup southwest tortilla strips optional
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Instructions 

  • In a large slow cooker , combine potatoes, onion, garlic, jalapeno, corn, salsa, cumin, taco seasoning and chicken broth. Mix gently. Add chicken breasts. Cover and heat on low for 6-8 hours.
  • Shred chicken with a fork and add the heavy cream and 1 cup of shredded cheese to the soup, a few minutes before serving.
  • Serve in bowls with additional cheese, avocado and tortilla strips, if desired. ENJOY.

Notes

  • One packet of taco seasoning is 2 Tablespoons. Or use our delicious homemade taco seasoning for perfect southwest flavor.
  • Shred cheese yourself. Freshly shredded cheese melts into the chicken chowder so much better than store bought.
  • For a thicker chicken chowder: add 4 oz of cream cheese and 1/2 cup of sour cream in the last 30 minutes of slow cooking.
  • Black bean chicken chowder. Add a can of black beans to the chowder for even more heartiness.
  • Stove Top. Skip the crockpot and make this on the stove top instead. Let simmer for several hours, shred chicken, continue to simmer until ready to serve. You can also use already cooked shredded chicken to speed up the process.
  • Store leftover in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze in airtight container for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 465kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 33g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 109mg, Sodium: 1156mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 5g
Course: Soups and Stews
Cuisine: Mexican
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Creamy and hearty chowder that’s brimming with southwestern flavor! Chicken Chowder is an easy slow cooker recipe that’ll have everyone coming back to the kitchen for more!



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About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

Affiliate Disclosure:**There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I love! Thank you for supporting Shugary Sweets! See my disclosure policy for more info**

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Posted on January 24, 2022

Comments & Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

  2. So sorry you’ve got a sick household! Doesn’t seem fair this early in the school year. I’m sure this will help them feel better!

  3. So sorry you guys are battling strep, hope they get well soon!! This soup looks so comforting and perfect for fall!!

  4. This is so perfect for fall! Thanks for linking up to my hard cider chicken wings! 🙂

  5. Every fall I say I am going to get out my crock pot and do some meals that way…maybe this year I will actually follow through with it!  Sorry to hear your kiddos are down with step. At least you had a long run without it before now.  Love this southwest twist to chicken soup!  I know my kids would love it too!

  6. I gotta try this one. FYI, pineapple juice works much better, in addition to popping extra Vitamin D. Hope you all feel better!

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