with poblano and crispy tortillas

Yield: 2 Servings

Adapted from: Home Chef

Diced chicken combined with sweet corn and feisty poblano, then simmered in cream to achieve a delightful soup. Topped with cheese and crunchy tortilla strips. Add bacon, sausage or shrimp as an option.

• 1medium/small yellow onion
• 1poblano pepper
• 3oz corn kernels
• 1lime
• 12oz diced boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1TBS chili and cumin rub
• 4oz light cream
• 2tsp chicken base
• 1oz shredded Oaxacan cheese
• ½oz tortilla strips
• olive oil
• salt & pepper

Options:

• 4strips bacon
• 4oz pork, andouille, or kielbasa sausage links, sliced
• 8oz shrimp

Prepare the ingredients:

Halve and peel onion. Cut halves into ¼” dice. Stem poblano pepper, seed, and cut into ½” dice. Wash hands and cutting board after prepping. Quarter lime. Pat diced chicken dry, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Sear the chicken:

Place a medium pot over medium-high heat and add 1 tsp olive oil. Add chicken to hot pot and stir occasionally until browned on two sides, 4-6 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Chicken will finish cooking in a later step. Reserve pot, no need to wipe clean.

Start the chowder:

Return pot used to sear chicken to medium heat and add 2 tsp olive oil. Add onion and poblano (reduce quantity if spice-averse) to hot pot and stir often until vegetables are slightly softened, 3-5 minutes. Stir in corn and seasoning rub until combined.

Options:

If using bacon, sausage or shrimp, line a plate with a paper towel. Place a medium non-stick pan over medium heat and add bacon, sausage slices or shrimp to hot pan. Flip occasionally until cooked, 6-8 minutes (3-4 for shrimp). Transfer to towel-lined plate. When cool enough to handle bacon, crumble.

Stir half of the options into finished chowder and reserve the other half for garnish.

Finish the chowder:

Add chicken and any accumulated juices, ½ cup water, cream, and chicken base to pot. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, stir occasionally until slightly thickened and chicken reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165°F, 5-7 minutes. For a thinner texture, stir in additional water 1 TBS at a time until desired texture is reached. Remove from burner. Season with a pinch of pepper.

Finish the dish:

Divide between bowls, garnishing chowder with remaining half of optional protein, cheese, and tortilla strips. Squeeze lime wedges over to taste.