Creamy Seafood and Shrimp Chili (Print)
Tender shrimp and mixed seafood simmered in a rich, creamy sauce with vegetables and beans. A luxurious twist on comfort food ready in one hour.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Seafood
01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 lb mixed seafood (scallops, calamari rings, or firm white fish), cut into bite-size pieces
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
09 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
10 - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
→ Creamy Base & Beans
11 - 1 (15 oz) can cannellini or navy beans, drained and rinsed
12 - 1 cup seafood or chicken broth
13 - 1 cup heavy cream
14 - 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
15 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
→ Spices & Seasoning
16 - 2 tsp chili powder
17 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
18 - 1 tsp ground cumin
19 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
20 - 1/2 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
21 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Garnishes
22 - Chopped fresh cilantro
23 - Sliced green onions
24 - Lime wedges
# How To Make:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Add red and green bell peppers, minced jalapeño, and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Stir in diced tomatoes, corn, tomato paste, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes to bloom spices.
04 - Add drained beans and broth to the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
05 - Lower heat and stir in cubed cream cheese until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.
06 - Pour in heavy cream, mixing well. Simmer gently without boiling for 5 minutes to achieve creamy consistency.
07 - Add shrimp and mixed seafood pieces. Simmer for 6-8 minutes until seafood is opaque and just cooked through. Avoid overcooking to maintain texture.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, green onions, and lime wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The creamy sauce feels like a fancy restaurant dish but comes together in under an hour
- Its a showstopper for dinner guests who think chili is always ground beef and tomatoes
- The seafood stays tender while absorbing all those spices and aromatics
02 -
- Seafood overcooks faster than you think, so pull it when it's just opaque and tender
- The cream sauce can break if you let it boil violently, so keep it at a gentle simmer once dairy is added
- The flavors actually improve overnight if you can resist eating it all in one sitting
03 -
- Pat your seafood completely dry before adding it so it doesn't water down your sauce
- Make the base up to adding the seafood up to a day ahead and finish it fresh
- The leftover sauce, if you somehow have any, is incredible tossed with pasta the next day