Spicy Colorado Ham and Potato Cheese Chowder
Hearty ham chowder loaded with red potatoes, roasted green chiles, and a blend of cheddar and monterey jack cheese. A creamy, slightly spicy soup thickened with a butter-flour roux and finished with corn. Quick weeknight comfort food that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 cup water or low-sodium chicken stock
- 2 cup red potatoes, chopped, with skins on
- ½ cup carrots, diced
- ½ cup celery, diced
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup flour
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp Ground Devil's Backbone seasoningcayenne pepper or chili powder0.25 tsp per 0.5 tspheat
regional spice blend, use less as cayenne is hotter
- 2 cup milk
- 2 ½ cup cheddar and monterey jack cheese, shreddedsharp cheddar only2.5 cupdairy
reduces monterey jack richness
- 1 15 oz can cream style corn
- 1 4 oz can diced green chiles
- 2 cup ham, diced or cubed
Instructions
- 1
Simmer potatoes, carrots, celery and onion in water or stock until tender, about 10 minutes
- 2
Melt butter in a small saucepan, add flour, black pepper and Ground Devil's Backbone seasoning
- 3
Slowly add milk and cook until thickened
- 4
Stir in cheese blend until melted
- 5
Add sauce to vegetables
- 6
Stir in corn, green chiles and ham
- 7
Heat through without boiling
- 8
Spoon into bowls and garnish with shredded cheese
Tips
Do not boil the chowder after adding the milk sauce to avoid curdling the cheese and milk
Chop vegetables to similar sizes for even cooking
Good to Know
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freezes well for up to 2 months.
Prepare vegetables and store separately up to 1 day ahead. Make complete chowder up to 2 days in advance.
Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cheese. Serve with crusty bread or crackers.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip the slow addition of milk to the roux to avoid lumps in the sauce
Do not boil after combining ingredients to avoid curdling
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
reduces monterey jack richness
General Alternatives
regional spice blend, use less as cayenne is hotter