Description
Hearty Cajun Shrimp and Vegetable Chowder blends spicy Louisiana flavors with creamy coastal comfort. Rich seafood and garden-fresh vegetables combine in a soul-warming bowl that brings southern charm straight to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
Liquid and Dairy:
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley or green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp by coating generously with Cajun seasoning, allowing the spices to adhere and infuse flavor while setting aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium temperature, sautéing onion, carrot, celery, and red bell pepper until they become translucent and slightly softened, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic to the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes to release its aromatic essence without burning.
- Incorporate diced potatoes, corn, and broth into the pot, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil before reducing to a gentle simmer for 10-12 minutes until potatoes reach a tender consistency.
- Blend heavy cream and milk into the simmering base, allowing the chowder to return to a gentle bubble for an additional 5-7 minutes while occasionally stirring to prevent scorching.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a separate skillet over medium heat, carefully adding seasoned shrimp and cooking 2-3 minutes per side until they transform into a vibrant pink and become fully opaque.
- Gently fold the perfectly cooked shrimp into the creamy chowder, ensuring even distribution of seafood throughout the dish.
- Finish by garnishing with freshly chopped parsley or green onions, adding a bright, fresh element to the rich and spicy chowder.
Notes
- Boost shrimp flavor by marinating in Cajun seasoning for 15-30 minutes before cooking to enhance depth and intensity.
- Maximize vegetable tenderness by cutting into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the chowder.
- Prevent cream from curdling by lowering heat and adding dairy slowly while stirring continuously during the creamy stage.
- Transform into gluten-free version by substituting regular flour with cornstarch or using gluten-free flour blend for thickening purposes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg