Nothing beats the warm, hearty satisfaction of a bowl of chicken corn chowder, especially when it’s cooked over a crackling campfire in a Dutch oven. This rich and creamy dish is perfect for camping trips, backyard bonfires, or anytime you want a taste of rustic comfort food. In this blog post, I’ll share a simple yet delicious recipe for chicken corn chowder, as well as tips for cooking it in a Dutch oven over the fire.

Why Cook in a Dutch Oven Over the Fire?

A Dutch oven is a versatile piece of cookware that has been used for centuries. It’s perfect for outdoor cooking because it distributes heat evenly, retains it for a long time, and is virtually indestructible. Cooking over a fire adds a subtle smoky flavor to your food that you can’t replicate on a stove. Plus, there’s something truly magical about gathering around the fire, cooking a meal, and enjoying it with friends and family. A universal cooking tools, like this tripod, is very handy!

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Chicken Corn Chowder Recipe

Ingredients (Serves 6-8)

• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1 pound chicken breasts or thighs, diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups extra-wide egg noodles
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 2 cups celery, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional for extra smoky flavor)
• 1 tsp thyme (dried or fresh)
• 4 bay leaves
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions for Dutch Oven Chicken Corn Chowder

1. Prepare Your Fire
   Start by building a campfire that will produce an even bed of coals. This will allow you to control the heat better. If you’re using charcoal briquettes, get about 25-30 of them going in a fire pit or grill. You’ll need to maintain moderate heat throughout the cooking process.
2. Heat the Dutch Oven
   Place your Dutch oven on a cooking grate or directly over the coals. Heat the olive oil or butter until it’s hot. Adjust the position of your Dutch oven now. This helps avoid any excessive heat or cold spots.
3. Brown the Chicken
   Add the diced chicken to the Dutch oven and cook until it’s browned on all sides. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once browned, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside for later.
4. Sauté Vegetables
   In the same Dutch oven, sauté the onions, garlic, and celery until the onions are translucent and the vegetables start to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir often to avoid burning.
5. Add Potatoes and Broth
   Add the diced potatoes and chicken broth to the Dutch oven. Stir in the thyme, smoked paprika (if using), bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Cover the Dutch oven with its lid, and let everything simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
6. Add Corn and Chicken
   Add the corn and the browned chicken back into the pot. Let it simmer for another 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend together.
7. Stir in Cream
   Finally, stir in the egg noodles. Allow the chowder to heat through for about 5-10 minutes. Do not bring it to a boil. Boiling can cause the noodles to break down too fast and burn. As the noodles break down, the chowder will thicken. Taste the chowder and adjust seasoning if needed.
8. Serve and Enjoy
   Once everything is heated through, remove the Dutch oven from the fire. Ladle the chowder into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve with some crusty bread or crackers. Enjoy the smoky, rich flavors that only campfire cooking can bring.

Tips for Cooking Chicken Corn Chowder in a Dutch Oven Over the Fire

Control the Heat
Managing heat is key to successful campfire cooking. Dutch ovens are efficient, but cooking over an open fire requires attention. Too many coals will burn the bottom, while too few will leave the chowder undercooked. A good tip is to place more coals on top of the Dutch oven lid than underneath. This provides even, radiant heat from above without scorching the base.

Rotate the Dutch Oven
Rotate the Dutch oven periodically if it’s directly over the fire. This helps avoid hot spots that could cause uneven cooking or burning.

Use Pre-Cooked Chicken
If you’re worried about undercooking the chicken over the fire, you can pre-cook it at home or use rotisserie chicken to speed up the process. Add the pre-cooked chicken at the same step where you’d normally return the browned chicken to the pot.

Make it Your Own
This chicken corn chowder is easy to customize. You can add more vegetables like zucchini, green beans, or peas. For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. If you like a thicker chowder, you can mash some of the cooked potatoes before adding the cream.

Campfire Safety
Always be cautious when cooking over an open fire. Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby to extinguish any flames that get out of control. Use fireproof gloves when handling your Dutch oven, as it will be extremely hot.

Cooking Tips When cooking with cast iron or dutch ovens, use wooden or bamboo utensils. This will prevent scratching the metal, and plastic can melt with the high temperatures. These are two of our favorites on amazon: Wooden and Bamboo.

Final Thoughts

Chicken corn chowder made in a Dutch oven over the fire is the perfect combination of comfort, flavor, and adventure. The smoky heat of the campfire enhances the creaminess of the chowder, making it a memorable meal to share outdoors. With a little preparation and attention, you can easily enjoy this hearty dish at your next camping trip or backyard gathering.

So grab your Dutch oven, gather some firewood, and enjoy the experience of cooking this rustic, heartwarming dish the old-fashioned way!

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