Fish & Potato Stew / Creamy Seafood Chowder 🐟🥔

A comforting coastal-style dish packed with tender fish, potatoes, vegetables, and a flavorful broth. You can make it as a rustic fish stew with a lighter tomato or broth base, or turn it into a rich creamy seafood chowder.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6

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Ingredients

Seafood

• 1½ lbs (700 g) firm white fish, cut into chunks
  (cod, haddock, halibut, pollock, or tilapia)
• ½ lb (225 g) shrimp (optional)
• ½ lb (225 g) scallops or clams (optional)

Vegetables

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed

Broth & Seasoning

• 4 cups seafood stock or chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream (for chowder version)
• 1 cup milk
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Optional Additions

• ½ cup corn
• 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1 cup diced tomatoes (for stew version)
• Splash of white wine
• Red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Build the Flavor Base

1. Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion, celery, and carrots.
3. Cook for 5–6 minutes until softened.
4. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

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2. Cook the Potatoes

1. Add potatoes, broth, bay leaf, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Bring to a simmer.
3. Cook for 15–20 minutes until potatoes are tender.

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3. Make It Creamy (Chowder Style)

1. Stir in milk and heavy cream.
2. Simmer gently for 5 minutes.
3. Do not boil, or the dairy may separate.

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4. Add Seafood

1. Add fish chunks and optional shrimp/scallops.
2. Cook gently for 5–8 minutes until the fish flakes easily and seafood is cooked through.
3. Remove bay leaf.
4. Finish with fresh parsley.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

• Crusty sourdough bread
• Garlic rolls
• Oyster crackers
• Side salad
• Lemon wedges
• Extra herbs

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Variations

🍅 Rustic Fish & Potato Stew

• Skip the cream and milk.
• Add crushed tomatoes, extra herbs, and a splash of wine.
• Serve with toasted bread.

🥓 New England Style Seafood Chowder

• Add bacon.
• Use clams, cod, and cream.
• Finish with oyster crackers.

🌶 Spicy Seafood Stew

Add:

• Chili flakes
• Cayenne pepper
• Smoked paprika
• Chorizo slices

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Approximate Nutrition (Creamy Chowder Version, Per Serving)

• Calories: 430
• Protein: 38 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fat: 20 g
• Fiber: 5 g

This fish and potato stew/chowder is warm, creamy, and satisfying—perfect for a cozy dinner, especially with fresh bread for dipping. 🐟🥔✨