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A delicious bowl of creamy New England clam chowder garnished with chopped parsley and crispy bacon bits.
Alyssa

Clam Chowder Recipe

This New England Clam Chowder recipe has a creamy broth that's loaded with delicious clams, savory bacon, simple seasonings, and perfectly cooked potatoes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 9 cups
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 281
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 strips thick-cut bacon (can sub salt pork)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 ribs celery, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 3 cups Half and Half
  • 8 oz clam juice
  • 1 cube chicken bouillon
  • 1 leaf bay leaf
  • 1 ¼ lbs potatoes, diced
  • 3 cans chopped clams juices reserved
  • 1 bunch Fresh parsley
  • to taste Freshly cracked pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Method
 

  1. Cook the bacon in a 4.5-quart soup pot slowly over low heat. Set aside on a paper towel lined plate. Reserve bacon drippings.
    6 strips thick-cut bacon
  2. Wipe dark spots from the pot, add bacon drippings and butter, and sauté onions and celery for 5-6 minutes.
    2 tablespoons butter, 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  3. Add garlic, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings. Cook for 1 minute.
  4. Add flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring continuously.
    1 cup chicken broth
  5. Stir in chicken broth and Half and Half gradually, cleaning the pan.
    3 cups Half and Half, 8 oz clam juice
  6. Add chicken bouillon, bay leaf, clam juices, and 8 oz. clam juice. Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer for 20 minutes.
    1 cube chicken bouillon, 1 leaf bay leaf
  7. Add diced potatoes and cook for 20-25 minutes until fork tender.
    1 ¼ lbs potatoes, diced
  8. Stir in clams and heat through for 5 minutes. Remove bay leaf and serve.
    3 cans chopped clams

Notes

Fresh parsley and freshly cracked pepper are recommended for serving.