Chicken chowder is known for its richness, and this recipe by Cooking with Sugar is no exception. What at first bite might seem like simple fatty flavors is actually a myriad of ingredients that stew together to form this immensely complex, robust, and heartwarming dish. Plus, it's all made in the crockpot so throwing this chowder together only takes a few minutes of prep.

The ingredients list may seem long, and it is. But chowders require a lot of different flavors to bring out the best in one another, and create a dish that will leave you spooning every last drop.

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 cups frozen whole kernel corn
3 large new potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 leek, cleaned and chopped, (optional)
1 small onion chopped
3 carrots chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 packages (3oz) cream cheese, cut into cubes
2 cups milk
1 can (4.5oz) Old El Paso® chopped green chiles
2 cups Progresso® chicken broth
1 cup sherry wine
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons corn starch
Salt and pepper to taste
1 pound of cooked crumbled bacon (optional for garnish)
1/2 cup of fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

If you like a little bit of a kick, we suggest adding a dash of paprika to your chowder while it's in the crockpot, or even giving yourself a few drops of sriracha or your favorite hot sauce once you serve it up. The spice will cut some of the richness, and add a bit of fresh flavor to the dish.

1. Gather your myriad of ingredients that are mostly household items you can find in the back of the pantry.
2. Add everything to your slow cooker except the heavy cream, cornstarch, bacon, and parsley. You'll come back to it later.
3. Cover, and cook on high for about 4 hours or low for about 8.
4. Once chowder is cooked and potatoes are nice and tender whisk the cream and cornstarch in a bowl until smooth, and stir it right into your slow cooker. Cover, let cook for another 15 minutes
5. Season your chowder with salt and pepper, serve in individual bowls and add fresh parsley, crispy bacon, and hot sauce if desired.

Check out the video below to get started.

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