• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Burnt Apple
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Amazon
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Amazon
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » soup

    Better Than Panera Corn Chowder

    Published: Jun 30, 2019 · Modified: Jan 14, 2024 by burntapple · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Are you looking for a quick and easy recipe to whip up on a busy weeknight? Look no further than Panera corn chowder! This creamy and delicious soup is packed with flavor and can be made in under 30 minutes. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of prep work, you can have a hearty and satisfying meal on the table in no time.

    A close-up photo of Panera Corn Chowder, showcasing its fresh ingredients and creamy texture

    Ingredients needed for Panera Corn Chowder

    To make corn chicken chowder, you'll need the following ingredients:

    • Cooked and shredded chicken bread
    • Butter
    • Diced yellow onion
    • Minced garlic cloves
    • Yellow squash
    • Green squash
    • Flour or cornstarch
    • Chicken broth
    • Fresh or frozen corn kernels
    • Milk (see notes for dairy free milk)
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Shredded cheese, diced jalapenos, bacon bits, diced green onions

    Step-by-step guide on how to make Corn Chicken Chowder

    • In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and red bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
    • Add the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
    • Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the flour is lightly browned.
    • Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
    • Add the milk and corn to the pot and stir to combine.
    • Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, until the soup has thickened.
    • Add the shredded chicken to the pot and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the chicken is heated through.
    • Season the soup with salt and pepper, to taste.
    • Ladle the soup into bowls and top with shredded cheese, chopped green onions, and bacon bits, if desired.

    Tips for making Corn Chicken Chowder in under 30 minutes

    • To save time, use pre-cooked, shredded chicken.
    • Use frozen corn instead of fresh to save time on prep work.
    • Use a vegetable chopper to quickly chop the onion and red bell pepper.
    • Use a Dutch oven or large pot to cook the soup, as it will cook more quickly and evenly than a small pot.

    Serving suggestions for Corn Chicken Chowder

    Corn chicken chowder is a hearty and satisfying meal on its own, but it can also be served with a side salad or some crusty bread for a complete meal. If you're serving the soup as a main course, consider adding some additional toppings, such as avocado, sour cream, or chopped cilantro. Our two minute gluten free microwave bread is delicious too. You can also make some copycat Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuits.

    Variations to Corn Chicken Chowder recipe

    There are many ways to customize this corn chicken chowder recipe to your liking. Here are a few ideas:

    • Add some diced potatoes to the soup for extra heartiness.
    • Use different types of cheese, such as cheddar or pepper jack, for a different flavor.
    • Add some diced jalapeno for a spicy kick.
    • Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian version of the soup.
    A steaming bowl of Panera Bread Summer Corn Chowder, ready to be enjoyed with a side of crusty bread

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Here are some questions you may have when making this chowder:

    Can You Make Chowder Dairy Free?

    Yes, you can make this chowder dairy free. My favorite to use in chowders and soups like this baked potato soup is a good thick dairy free heavy whipping cream or dairy free unflavored creamer like Nutpods. You can also use dairy free butter.

    Can you make vegan chowder?

    Yes, you can follow the rules above for dairy free chowder. Then either eliminate the chicken or use a vegan chicken.

    Can You Freeze Chowder?

    No, this does not make a good freezer meal. Cream separates when frozen and it never really comes back together when reheated in quite the same way it did when it was fresh.

    How Do You Store Chowder?

    My suggestion would be to store the chowder in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use it within several days of making it. You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop.

    A close-up photo of Panera Corn Chowder, showcasing its fresh ingredients and creamy texture

    Better Than Panera Corn Chowder

    Traci Wennerholm
    Corn chicken chowder is a delicious and comforting soup that can be made in under 30 minutes. This Panera corn chowder needs just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking skills, you can create a hearty and satisfying meal that your whole family will love. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy meal on a cold day, corn chicken chowder is the perfect choice.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    0 minutes mins
    Total Time 32 minutes mins
    Course Main Course, Soup
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 341 kcal

    Equipment

    • soup pot

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 cups chicken breast cooked and shredded (approximately 1 pound of chicken) --optional--
    • ¼ cup butter
    • 1 yellow onion diced (approximately 1 cup diced)
    • 4 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 yellow squash finely diced
    • 1 green squash finely diced
    • ⅓ cup all purpose flour can use cornstarch, arrowroot, or gluten free
    • 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
    • 2 ½ cups fresh or frozen corn
    • 1 ½ cups whole milk or dairy free creamer for dairy free version use dairy free heavy whipping cream
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • In a large soup pan, place the butter, onion, garlic, and squash. Cook on medium heat for several minutes until tender (about 2-3 minutes).
    • Whisk in the flour and broth, whisking until well blended. Cook until mixture begins to bubble.
    • Add the corn, milk, chicken and salt and pepper to taste; cooking until warm.
    • Serve soup warm and garnish with green onions, bacon or jalapenos if desired.

    Notes

    Soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days. Reheat. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 341kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 27gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 250mgPotassium: 989mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 492IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 112mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword chicken chowder recipe, chowder soup, corn chowder, corn chowder recipe, creamy corn chowder, Panera corn chowder
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!


    « Creme Brulee French Toast Casserole
    Crock pot Chicken Ranch Tacos »

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    traci burntapple website featuring recipes with five ingredients or less

    Hi, I'm Traci! Cooking hasn't always come easy. I'm the burnt pancake on one side and perfect on the other pancake person that serves it to you with the pretty side up. I've learned to cook and make it look easy to my family and others. I'm now helping you save time & money with easy simple recipes with five ingredients or less!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • chicken coconut curry
      T's Foods Class Chicken Coconut Curry Recipe
    • A top-down view of a single, shiny Cheddar's honey butter croissant on a round, white plate featuring black abstract floral and geometric designs. A partial croissant on a wooden board and a grey cloth napkin are visible at the edges, with white orchid flowers in the upper left corner.
      Copycat Cheddars Honey Butter Croissants
    • A mason jar filled with a Sonic-style Dirty Dr Pepper sits on a rustic white wooden surface. The drink is dark brown, filled with ice, and has visible carbonation bubbles on top. A fresh lime wedge is perched on the rim of the jar, while two additional limes, one whole and one sliced in half, rest nearby on the table. The background features a weathered wood texture, adding to the casual, homemade aesthetic.
      Copycat Sonic Dirty Dr Pepper
    • Top-down view of a white plate with a folded scrambled egg and avocado with salsa. The omelet is topped with slices of bright green avocado and a spoonful of chunky red salsa. A silver fork lies across the omelet. To the left of the plate is a folded white cloth napkin. In the upper right corner, a wooden cutting board holds half of a sliced avocado, a small pile of orange powder (possibly paprika), and a small pile of black peppercorns. A white bowl of red salsa is also on the cutting board. The scene is set on a light-colored marble countertop.
      Scrambled Eggs and Avocado with Salsa

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Burnt Apple

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.