Cozy Comfort in a Bowl: The Ultimate Cheesy Chicken & Ham Chowder Recipe
As winter continues to embrace us with its chilly grip, there’s nothing quite like the warmth and comfort of a homemade soup to brighten a cold day. While much of the recent snowfall has melted, the crisp air still calls for hearty, warming meals. For me, a piping hot bowl of soup for lunch is an absolute delight, and I have a particular fondness for rich, creamy chowders. They’re not only incredibly satisfying but also super convenient; a single batch can be frozen and enjoyed for several quick, hot lunches throughout the month.
This particular Cheesy Chicken & Ham Chowder is a true winter gem, designed to deliver maximum comfort with minimal fuss. It’s brimming with tender shredded chicken, savory diced ham, and an abundance of delicious, melty cheese that creates an unbelievably creamy and flavorful base. Every spoonful is a testament to simple, wholesome ingredients coming together to create something truly special. Whether you’re looking for a new family favorite or a smart way to use up holiday leftovers, this chowder promises to be a satisfying addition to your recipe repertoire.
The Inspiration: A Community of Food Lovers
Many of you know that I founded the Secret Recipe Club, a wonderful community where food bloggers are secretly assigned another blogger’s site each month. On “Reveal Day,” which happens every Monday, everyone posts a recipe from their assigned blog, sharing their culinary adventures with the world. It’s a fantastic way to discover new blogs, try diverse recipes, and foster a sense of camaraderie among food enthusiasts.
However, sometimes on Reveal Day, we encounter what we affectionately call an “orphan.” This means that for one reason or another, the blogger who was supposed to feature a particular blog wasn’t able to post their recipe. Life happens – whether it’s a simple oversight or an unexpected real-life emergency, it leaves a blog without its anticipated spotlight. The beautiful spirit of the Secret Recipe Club shines through in these moments, as no one likes to see another blogger left out. When word spreads about an orphaned blog, it’s quite common for someone to step forward, often at the last minute, to create and share a recipe from that blog. This particular time, it just happened to be me, and I was thrilled to lend a helping hand!
The orphaned blog belonged to Krista from Double Dipped Life. As soon as I started browsing her extensive collection of recipes, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Krista and I share very similar culinary tastes. So many of her recipes immediately caught my eye, tempting me to try them all! In fact, when I went shopping for the chowder ingredients this morning, I couldn’t resist picking up what I needed to make her mouth-watering spinach dip as well! It’s always a joy to connect with fellow food lovers whose creations resonate so strongly with your own preferences.
Crafting the Perfect Chowder: My Personal Twist
Among Krista’s many enticing dishes, her soup recipe truly jumped out at me. Her original version, called Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup, cleverly uses Swiss cheese, drawing inspiration from the classic French dish. While I’m not a huge fan of Chicken Cordon Bleu itself, the soup recipe looked incredibly satisfying and full of potential. I saw an opportunity to adapt it to better suit my family’s preferences and my own culinary style. So, I made a few strategic adjustments, and I absolutely adore the way this Cheesy Chicken & Ham Chowder turned out – it’s a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that hits all the right notes for a comforting meal.
The Star Ingredients: Chicken, Ham, and That Special Cheese
For the chicken, efficiency was key. Because I was in a bit of a rush, I tossed some boneless, skinless chicken breasts into my pressure cooker. This method is fantastic for quickly achieving a perfectly tender, shreddable consistency. Krista’s suggestion of using a store-bought Rotisserie chicken is also an excellent time-saving tip, especially if you’re planning ahead, but since I hit the grocery store quite early, there weren’t any ready yet. Using leftover cooked chicken from a previous meal works just as well, making this a truly versatile recipe.
The ham component of this chowder makes it wonderfully savory and a fantastic way to utilize leftovers. This soup would be an absolutely brilliant recipe to whip up after holidays like Easter or Christmas, when you often find yourself with an abundance of leftover ham. Since I didn’t have any holiday leftovers on hand, I simply used some ham steaks I already had in the refrigerator. Any cooked, diced ham will work beautifully, adding that delightful salty counterpoint to the creamy base.
Finally, let’s talk about the cheese – a crucial element for any “cheesy” chowder! While Krista’s original recipe called for Swiss cheese, I knew that no one in my family (besides me, occasionally!) would eat it. So, I opted for one of my all-time favorite cheeses: Spinach Artichoke Jack. I typically pick this up from Sam’s Club, and I simply love, love, love it! It adds such a unique, creamy, and slightly tangy flavor that elevates the entire soup. Plus, it’s made right here in Wisconsin, which makes it even better! If you can’t find Spinach Artichoke Jack, feel free to substitute with another good melting cheese that your family enjoys, such as Monterey Jack, mild cheddar, or even a Gouda. The goal is to get that lovely, melty goodness throughout the chowder.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Chicken & Ham Chowder
- Ultimate Comfort Food: It’s warm, creamy, and incredibly satisfying, perfect for chasing away winter blues.
- Versatile & Adaptable: Easily substitute chicken, ham, or cheese to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
- Great for Leftovers: A brilliant way to transform leftover cooked chicken or holiday ham into a brand new, delicious meal.
- Freezer-Friendly: Make a large batch and freeze portions for convenient, quick lunches or dinners later.
- Family Favorite: The mild, cheesy flavor and hearty ingredients appeal to most palates, even picky eaters.
- Easy to Make: With straightforward steps and common ingredients, this recipe is accessible for cooks of all skill levels.
Tips for the Perfect Creamy Chowder
Achieving that rich, velvety texture in a chowder is simpler than you might think. Here are a few pointers to ensure your Cheesy Chicken & Ham Chowder turns out perfectly every time:
- Roux is Key: The butter and flour mixture (roux) is essential for thickening the soup base. Cook it for just a minute or two to remove the raw flour taste, but don’t let it brown too much.
- Gradual Liquid Addition: When adding the milk and chicken broth, pour slowly while whisking constantly. This helps prevent lumps and ensures a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Don’t Overcook Potatoes: Microwave the potatoes until just tender. They will continue to cook slightly when added to the hot soup, so you don’t want them to turn mushy.
- Quality Ingredients Matter: While adaptable, using good quality chicken, flavorful ham, and a cheese you love will truly enhance the final taste of your chowder.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your soup before serving. Adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings as needed. A pinch of nutmeg can also subtly enhance the creaminess.
- Storage: Store leftover chowder in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It also freezes beautifully for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk or broth if it’s too thick.
Easy to put together and ideal for using up those delicious leftovers, you’ll definitely want to add this Cheesy Chicken & Ham Chowder to your regular menu rotation. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings warmth and flavor to any table. A big thank you to Krista for the wonderful recipe inspiration!
Also, don’t forget to come join SoupaPalooza at TidyMom and Dine and Dish, sponsored by amazing brands like KitchenAid, Red Star Yeast, and Le Creuset. It’s a fantastic celebration of all things soup!
More Delicious Soup Recipes to Try
- Hearty Taco Soup
- Classic Fish Chowder
- Flavorful Homemade Chili
- Comforting Chicken Bean Soup
- Creamy Cheddar Cheese Potato Soup
- Italian Sausage Tomato Orzo Soup
- Simple & Sweet Corn Chowder
Cheesy Chicken & Ham Chowder
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ½ medium onion chopped
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 ½ cups 1% milk
- 14- oz can chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 medium Russet potatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 cup cooked chicken shredded
- 1 cup cooked ham diced
Before You Begin
Instructions
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Wash potatoes and pierce the skin with a fork. Microwave for 5 minutes. Rotate them, and cook for another 5 minutes, or until done.
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Meanwhile, in a stock pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the garlic and onion, and let cook until tender and garlic is just beginning to brown, stirring frequently.
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Sprinkle the flour over the onion mixture in the pan and stir together with a wooden spoon. Let the mixture cook for 1 minute, stirring regularly. Slowly add the milk a little at a time while whisking constantly. Add the chicken broth, and whisk well. Bring mixture to a simmer, and heat until thickened, about 5 minutes.
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While your soup is thickening, cut the microwaved potatoes in half length-wise and scoop out the flesh. Cut or mash into small pieces. Measure out your chicken, ham and cheese.
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Turn the heat to medium-low, and add the potatoes. Sprinkle the soup with salt and pepper. Add the cheese, chicken, and ham. Warm through and serve hot!
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
Be sure to check out Double Dipped Life for more delicious recipes from Krista!
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