Easy Creamy Seafood and Shrimp Chili Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and continue to cook until fragrant, taking care not to burn it for the best flavor.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
