Creamy Corn and Potato Soup Recipe — Comforting Weeknight Soup

Creamy Corn and Potato Soup is comforting and bright, built from sweet corn, tender potatoes and diced chicken simmered in a silky, savory broth. A splash of half-and-half gives it gentle richness, while smoked paprika and crispy bacon add depth and warmth to this from-scratch family favorite.

This recipe has the satisfying flavors of chowder without the heavy thickness, making it an excellent choice if you enjoy hearty soups like clam or seafood chowders.

Creamy corn and potato soup in a bowl with a spoon.

⭐ Why Melinda Loves Creamy Corn and Potato Soup

Melinda with corndogs

It’s a comforting soup that works year-round. Use fresh, canned, or frozen corn—each works well.

The soup captures the familiar, cozy taste of corn or potato chowder but remains lighter and silkier in texture. It pairs beautifully with homemade biscuits or crusty bread.

The combination of bacon and chicken lends a savory backbone to the broth that makes the soup feel hearty without being heavy.

🌽 Ingredients to Have on Hand

Ingredients for creamy corn and potato soup.

Creamy Corn and Potato Soup is a one-pot recipe that’s simple to prepare—everything simmers together on the stove. Key ingredients and notes:

  • Corn: Fresh when in season is ideal (cut the kernels from the cob), but canned or frozen whole kernel corn works perfectly.
  • Yukon Gold potatoes: Thin-skinned with a buttery flavor. You can leave the peels on or peel them if you prefer.
  • Sweet potato: One cup adds sweetness and body; it complements Yukon Golds nicely.
  • Chicken broth: Use a flavorful broth for best results; concentrated bouillon paste diluted to taste produces a rich base.

Scroll to the recipe card below for a full ingredient list and measurements.

🍲 Step-by-Step Instructions

Chicken for corn soup in a Dutch oven on the stove.

Step 1: Cook the bacon until crisp, reserve about 1 tablespoon of the drippings, chop the bacon and set aside. Brown diced chicken in the reserved drippings (or oil of your choice) until cooked through.

Chicken, celery and onions in a pan on the stove.

Step 2: Add chopped onion and celery to the pan and cook until softened, stirring frequently so nothing browns too quickly.

⭐ Pro Tip

If you prefer not to cook in bacon grease, substitute 1–2 tablespoons of light olive oil or avocado oil—though bacon fat does contribute extra flavor.

Corn in liquid ingredients and spices in a pan.

Step 3: Stir in the corn, chicken broth, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Potatoes and creamed corn with corn soup ingredients in a dutch oven on the stove.

Step 4: Add the diced Yukon Gold potatoes, sweet potato and creamed corn. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

Corn soup ingredients in a saucepan with bacon and parsley.

Step 5: Stir in the cooked bacon (reserve a little for garnish), dried parsley and the half-and-half. Warm gently for a few more minutes so everything is hot and cohesive.

Corn and potato soup in a pan.

Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve topped with reserved bacon crumbles and an extra sprinkle of parsley if desired.

📖 Substitutions

Potatoes: Swap Yukon Golds for Russet or red potatoes in equal amounts. Peel Russets for best texture.

Half-and-half: You may use 2% milk, whole milk, or heavy cream instead. To make the soup dairy-free, omit the half-and-half and add extra creamed corn for creaminess, and use vegetable broth if avoiding animal products.

Smoked paprika: A pinch adds a subtle smoky note that pairs well with bacon and chicken; use regular paprika if needed.

Corn soup with cream sauce and sweet potatoes in a soup bowl.

⭐ Pro Tip

A large Dutch oven works best for even simmering, but any covered pot that holds at least 4 quarts will do.

💭 Recipe FAQs

Is this corn chowder?

It’s similar to corn or potato chowder in flavor, but lighter in texture. The broth is silky rather than thick and heavy like traditional chowder.

How do I make this vegetarian?

Omit the chicken and bacon, substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth, and increase the sweet potato to two cups to maintain texture and body.

Can I make this without half-and-half?

Yes. The soup will be lighter but still tasty. Increase creamed corn slightly to add creaminess if you skip the dairy.

🥣 Leftovers and Storage

Store cooled soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave. The soup also freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before warming.

Corn and potato soup with bacon and chicken in a serving bowl.

🥘 What to Serve with Creamy Corn and Potato Soup

This soup is ideal for a family meal or a make-ahead dinner. It pairs well with buttermilk biscuits, crusty bread, roasted vegetables or a crisp, pickled side to cut through the richness. Finish the meal with a simple dessert for a crowd-pleasing dinner.

🍽 Other Tasty Soup and Chowder Recipes

Creamy Corn and Potato Soup is a classic way to enjoy the sweet corn and potato pairing. Try other chowders and soups for more weeknight inspiration.

  • Creamy Corn and Potato Soup
  • Creamy Seafood Chowder Recipe
  • Black Bean Sweet Potato Soup
  • Pinto Bean Chili

If you make Creamy Corn and Potato Soup, please leave a star rating and a comment — it helps others find the recipe and I’d love to hear how it turned out!

Recipe

Corn and potato soup with bacon and chicken in a serving bowl.

Creamy Corn and Potato Soup

Creamy Corn and Potato Soup is pure comfort: sweet corn, Yukon Gold and sweet potatoes, tender chicken, smoky paprika and a touch of half-and-half for a cozy weeknight meal.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 397kcal
Author: Melinda O’Malley Keckler

Ingredients

  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon bacon drippings (reserved)
  • 1 pound chicken breast, diced
  • ¾ cup onion, chopped
  • ¾ cup celery, diced
  • 4 cups corn, whole kernel (drain canned or defrost frozen)
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 cups Yukon Gold potatoes, diced
  • 1 cup sweet potato, peeled and diced
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 1 (14.75 ounce) can creamed corn
  • 1 cup half-and-half

Instructions

Cook Bacon, Chicken, Celery and Onion

  • Cook the bacon in a heavy saucepan or Dutch oven. Remove to paper towels, reserve 1 tablespoon drippings, then chop the bacon and set aside.
  • Heat the reserved bacon drippings (or 1–2 tablespoons oil) over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, onion and celery and cook 10–15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken is cooked and the vegetables are tender. Lower heat if needed to prevent scorching.

Add Corn, Potatoes and Seasoning

  • Add whole kernel corn, chicken broth, smoked paprika, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Stir in the Yukon Gold potatoes, sweet potato and creamed corn. Cover and simmer 30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

Heat and Serve

  • Stir in the cooked bacon (reserve some for garnish), half-and-half and dried parsley. Heat on medium 5 minutes until everything is hot.
  • Serve garnished with extra bacon crumbles and parsley.

Notes

If you’d rather not cook the chicken and vegetables in bacon grease, substitute 1–2 tablespoons light olive oil or avocado oil. Bacon grease does lend extra flavor but is optional.

For a richer broth, use a concentrated bouillon paste diluted to taste (roughly two teaspoons paste per cup of water yields a savory stock).

Nutrition

Calories: 397kcal
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Protein: 27 g
Fat: 14 g

Nutrition details are estimates from a food database and should be treated as approximations.


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