Southern Corn Soup
Southern Corn Soup is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring fresh or frozen corn blended into a smooth base, enriched with tender chicken, melted Monterey Jack cheese, and seasoned with garlic, oregano, and chilies. Perfect for comfort food lovers and those craving a hearty, cheesy corn soup. Suitable for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels or frozen corn ⓘ
- 1 cup chicken broth ⓘ
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine ⓘ
- 2 cups milk ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon oregano ⓘ
- salt to taste ⓘ
- pepper to taste ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons canned chilies, drained ⓘ
- 1 cup cooked, cubed chicken ⓘ
- 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine corn and chicken broth in a blender or food processor and puree.
- In a 3-quart saucepan, combine butter and the corn mixture and simmer slowly for 5 minutes, stirring to prevent sticking.
- Add milk, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to the saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and add drained green chilies and cooked, cubed chicken. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove the soup from heat and add grated Monterey Jack cheese and baking soda to prevent curdling.
- Stir until the cheese is melted and fully incorporated.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, blend a portion of the soup after simmering and return it to the pot. If fresh corn isn't available, frozen corn works well. You can substitute the Monterey Jack cheese with cheddar for a sharper flavor. Adjust seasonings to your preference, and consider adding a splash of hot sauce for extra heat.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Southern Corn Soup with crusty bread or alongside a fresh Twisted River Ranch Cabbage Salad for a complete meal. It also pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or a side of Black Beans And Rice for a heartier option. Garnish with additional cheese or fresh herbs for added flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the soup gently on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the soup thickens, add a little more milk or broth to reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Southern Corn Soup contains roughly 1354 calories, with 40g protein, 159g carbohydrates, and 83g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (324% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2013mg per serving (88% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make this soup vegetarian by omitting the chicken and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add more vegetables, like bell peppers or carrots, to enhance the flavor and texture.
How can I make the soup spicier?
To add heat to the soup, you can include more canned chilies or stir in some diced jalapeños. A dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce can also elevate the spice level to your liking.
Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, this soup can be frozen. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove, stirring well to recombine.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).