Creamy Seafood and Shrimp Chili
Creamy Seafood and Shrimp Chili brings tender shrimp, crab, lobster, beans, corn, and tomatoes into a rich broth finished with Colby Jack and cream cheese. It is a cozy seafood dinner that feels special for company while still being practical enough for a weeknight pot.
Equipment
- Large Dutch oven or soup pot
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Ladle
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2–3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 15.5 oz can Great Northern beans drained and rinsed
- 1 15.5 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 15.5 oz can diced tomatoes with chilis drained
- 1/2 cup frozen whole kernel corn
- 1 cup shredded Colby and Monterey Jack cheese
- 3 oz cream cheese cubed
- 5 oz lump crab
- 5 oz lobster meat
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 teaspoons seafood seasoning or to taste
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon red cayenne pepper or to taste
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until softened.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Add chicken broth, beans, tomatoes with chilis, corn, seafood seasoning, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the chili to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes so the base can thicken slightly.
- Lower the heat and stir in cream cheese and shredded Colby Monterey Jack until melted and smooth.
- Add shrimp and simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes, until pink, opaque, and cooked through.
- Fold in crab and lobster meat, warm for 2 minutes, then taste and adjust the seasonings before serving.
Notes
Storage: Store cooled chili in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Freeze for up to 1 month, but expect the creamy broth to loosen slightly after thawing.
Reheating: Reheat gently over low heat and stir often so the seafood stays tender and the dairy stays smooth.
Expert Tips: Add shrimp after the cheese melts and keep the pot at a gentle simmer to prevent overcooking.
Variations: Use extra shrimp instead of crab and lobster, add bell pepper, or swap in pepper jack for more heat.
Serving Ideas: Serve with crusty bread, cornbread, rice, tortilla chips, or a crisp green salad.