Light Ham Potato Chowder (Printable version)

Creamy, comforting soup with tender potatoes, lean ham, and vegetables in a lighter broth. Ideal for cozy nights with fewer calories.

# Ingredient list:

→ 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 tbsp all-purpose flour

→ Fats

11 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Seasonings

12 - ½ tsp dried thyme
13 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
14 - ¼ tsp salt, or to taste
15 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add diced ham and potatoes to the pot. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Sprinkle flour over the mixture, stirring well to coat vegetables and ham evenly.
05 - Gradually pour in chicken broth while stirring to prevent lumps. Add thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil.
06 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
07 - Stir in milk and half-and-half. Heat through for 3 to 5 minutes without boiling, stirring frequently.
08 - Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The velvety texture tricks you into thinking it is decadent but each bowl is only 255 calories
  • One pot, 45 minutes, and dinner is served with minimal cleanup
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day as the flavors meld together
02 -
  • Never boil the chowder after adding dairy or the milk may separate and ruin that silky texture
  • Partially mashing a few potatoes against the side of the pot creates an even richer base without adding extra cream
  • The chowder continues thickening as it cools, so stop simmering while it still looks slightly thinner than your desired consistency
03 -
  • Cut all your vegetables into uniform dice so everything cooks evenly and finishes at the same time
  • Use a sharp knife to dice the ham into small pieces that distribute throughout every spoonful

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