Cindy's Awesome Clam Chowder

Try this quick and easy clam chowder recipe filled with clams, potatoes, and bacon. It's wonderful with sourdough bread or served in a bread bowl.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 681 Calories

Ingredients

• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups water, or as needed
• 1 quart half-and-half
• 2 (1.8 ounce) packages dry leek soup mix
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 (6.5 ounce) cans chopped clams, drained with juice reserved
• 0.5 pound bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 5 medium unpeeled potatoes, diced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Cook bacon in a large pot over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until crisped and browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave drippings in the pot.

Step 2

Place potatoes and carrots into the pot and season with salt and pepper; cook in bacon drippings, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes.

Step 3

Pour clam juice into the pot, add enough water to just cover potatoes, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until potatoes are just tender, 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 4

Add leek soup mix and gently stir until no lumps remain. Stir in clams, half-and-half, and reserved bacon. Cook and stir until chowder returns to a simmer and thickens, about 10 minutes more.