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Creamy Clam Chowder Recipe with Crispy Bacon and Oyster Crackers

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A comforting and creamy clam chowder with smoky crispy bacon and crunchy oyster crackers, perfect for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 strips thick-cut smoked bacon
  • 2 (6.5 oz) cans chopped clams, juice reserved
  • 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (Yukon Gold recommended)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
  • 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter chowder)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 whole bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup oyster crackers for serving

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon in a large pot over medium heat until crispy, about 10 minutes. Remove bacon, drain on paper towels, and crumble once cool. Leave the bacon fat in the pot.
  2. Add butter to the bacon fat and melt over medium heat. Add chopped onions, celery, and garlic. Cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir well to coat. Cook for 2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
  4. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth to avoid lumps. Add diced potatoes, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
  5. Stir in chopped clams with their juice and heavy cream. Warm gently for 5 minutes without boiling to avoid curdling.
  6. Remove the bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in half of the crumbled bacon.
  7. Ladle chowder into bowls, sprinkle remaining bacon on top, and scatter oyster crackers for serving.

Notes

Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to render fat and achieve perfect crispiness. Use clam juice for authentic flavor. Avoid boiling after adding cream to prevent curdling. If chowder thickens too much, add broth or cream to loosen. For gluten-free, substitute flour and oyster crackers accordingly. Dairy-free options include swapping butter for olive oil and heavy cream for coconut or cashew cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: clam chowder, creamy clam chowder, bacon chowder, oyster crackers, seafood soup, comfort food, easy chowder recipe

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/creamy-clam-chowder-recipe-with-crispy-bacon-and-oyster-crackers-easy-and-perfect/