Light Ham Potato Chowder (Printable)
Creamy comforting soup with tender potatoes, lean ham, and sweet vegetables in a lighter velvety broth.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 3 cups Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
02 - 1 cup celery, diced
03 - 1 cup carrots, diced
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Meats
06 - 1 ½ cups lean ham, diced
→ Liquids
07 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 1 cup low-fat milk
09 - ½ cup fat-free half-and-half or milk of choice
→ Thickeners
10 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
→ Fats
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Seasonings
12 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
13 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
14 - ¼ teaspoon salt
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
# Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
03 - Add diced ham and potatoes to the pot. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to combine flavors.
04 - Sprinkle flour evenly over the mixture, stirring constantly to coat all ingredients and prevent lumps from forming.
05 - Slowly pour in chicken broth while stirring continuously. Add thyme, salt, and black pepper. Bring mixture to a gentle boil.
06 - Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender when tested with a fork.
07 - Stir in low-fat milk and half-and-half. Heat through for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Do not allow the soup to boil as dairy may separate.
08 - Taste chowder and adjust salt or pepper if needed. Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The broth stays silky and satisfying without relying on heavy cream
- It comes together in under an hour using ingredients you probably have
- Leftover ham finally gets the treatment it deserves
02 -
- Adding cold milk to a hot soup can cause curdling, so let the broth cool slightly before stirring in the dairy
- Partially mashing some potatoes against the side of the pot creates instant thickness without extra flour
- The chowder thickens as it stands, so plan to add a splash more broth when reheating leftovers
03 -
- Cut all vegetables to roughly the same size so they cook evenly and every spoonful has the same satisfying texture
- Use a sharp knife and stable cutting board to dice the potatoes safely and precisely