Easy Creamy Seafood and Shrimp Chili Recipe

Introduction

This easy creamy seafood and shrimp chili is a flavorful twist on traditional chili, combining the richness of cream cheese and a blend of cheeses with tender seafood. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner when you want something comforting yet a bit special.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 can (15.5 oz) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15.5 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15.5 oz) diced tomatoes with chilis, drained
• ½ cup whole kernel corn (frozen)
• 1 cup shredded Colby and Monterey Jack cheese
• 3 oz cream cheese
• 5 oz lump crab
• 5 oz lobster meat
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Seasonings: seafood seasoning, chili powder, cumin, red cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
3. Step 3: Pour in the chicken broth, Great Northern beans, black beans, and diced tomatoes with chilis. Stir well to combine.
4. Step 4: Lower the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let the chili simmer for 15–20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
5. Step 5: While the chili simmers, season the crab meat, lobster meat, and shrimp with seafood seasoning, chili powder, cumin, red cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper to taste.
6. Step 6: Stir in the shredded cheese, frozen corn, cream cheese, and seasoned seafood into the chili pot.
7. Step 7: Increase the heat back to medium and cook for an additional 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all the seafood is cooked through and the cheese is melted and creamy.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh seafood if available for the best flavor, but frozen works well too—just thaw before cooking.
• Adjust the heat level by modifying the amount of red cayenne pepper and chili powder to suit your taste.
• For a dairy-free option, omit the cheeses and cream cheese and add coconut milk to maintain creaminess.
• Serve with crusty bread or over rice for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat to prevent the dairy from separating. You can also freeze the chili for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of seafood?

Yes, this recipe is flexible. You can substitute or add shrimp with scallops, mussels, or your favorite seafood mix. Just adjust cooking times to avoid overcooking.

Is this chili very spicy?

The spiciness depends on the amount of chili powder and cayenne pepper you use, as well as the diced tomatoes with chilis. You can reduce or omit these seasonings for a milder version.

Easy Creamy Seafood and Shrimp Chili Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 145 reviews

This easy creamy seafood and shrimp chili combines the rich flavors of crab, lobster, and shrimp with hearty beans and a spicy tomato base. Perfectly seasoned and finished with creamy cheeses, this comforting seafood chili offers a unique twist on traditional chili that is both satisfying and rich in protein.

• Author: Clara
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 can (15.5 oz) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15.5 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15.5 oz) diced tomatoes with chilis, drained
• ½ cup whole kernel corn (frozen)

Cheeses

• 1 cup shredded Colby and Monterey Jack cheese
• 3 oz cream cheese

Seafood

• 5 oz lump crab meat
• 5 oz lobster meat
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined

Seasonings

• Seafood seasoning
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Red cayenne pepper
• Salt
• Black pepper

Instructions

1. Heat and sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent, which helps to bring out their natural sweetness and forms a flavorful base.
2. Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and continue to cook until fragrant, taking care not to burn it for the best flavor.
3. Add liquids and beans: Pour in the chicken broth followed by the drained Great Northern beans and black beans, and diced tomatoes with chilis. Stir everything together thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
4. Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the Dutch oven, and let the chili simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes to meld the flavors.
5. Season seafood: While the chili simmers, season the crab meat, lobster meat, and shrimp with seafood seasoning, chili powder, cumin, red cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper according to taste. This ensures the seafood is flavorful when added.
6. Add cheeses, corn, and seafood: Stir in the shredded cheese blend, cream cheese, frozen corn, and the seasoned crab, lobster, and shrimp into the pot. Mix well to incorporate all ingredients.
7. Cook seafood into chili: Turn the heat back to medium and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all the seafood is thoroughly cooked and the chili becomes creamy and rich.

Notes

• Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels effectively.
• Ensure shrimp is peeled and deveined for best texture and taste.
• Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper for desired chili heat level.
• Can substitute lobster meat with more crab or shrimp depending on availability.
• Serve with crusty bread or over rice for a complete meal.

Keywords: seafood chili, shrimp chili, creamy chili, crab and lobster chili, easy chili recipe, seafood stew