Creamy Seafood and Shrimp Chili (Printable)

Rich, creamy chili with tender shrimp and mixed seafood in a mildly spiced sauce. A gourmet twist on comfort food.

# What You 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 (optional)
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 - ½ tsp dried oregano
20 - ½ tsp salt (plus more to taste)
21 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ Garnishes (optional)

22 - Chopped fresh cilantro
23 - Sliced green onions
24 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add red and green bell peppers, jalapeño (if using), and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
03 - Stir in diced tomatoes, corn, tomato paste, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
04 - Add beans and broth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
05 - Lower heat. Stir in cream cheese until fully melted and incorporated.
06 - Pour in heavy cream, mixing well. Simmer gently (do not boil) for 5 minutes.
07 - Add shrimp and mixed seafood. Simmer for 6-8 minutes, or until seafood is opaque and just cooked through.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, green onions, and lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The rich velvety sauce clings to every piece of seafood, making each bite feel luxurious without requiring any fancy techniques
  • Its ready in about an hour but tastes like something from a high-end restaurant that charged way too much
  • The mild heat builds slowly, letting the sweet shrimp and tender seafood really shine through
02 -
  • Never add the seafood until the very end, or it will turn rubbery and tough from overcooking
  • Keep the heat low after adding the dairy, or the cream will separate into an unappetizing mess
  • Let the chili rest for 5 minutes off the heat before serving so the sauce can thicken slightly
03 -
  • Pat all your seafood completely dry with paper towels before adding it to the pot
  • Let the cream cheese soften on the counter for 20 minutes so it melts smoothly without leaving white streaks

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