Easy Creamy Seafood and Shrimp Chili Recipe

Introduction

This Easy Creamy Seafood and Shrimp Chili is a flavorful twist on classic chili, combining tender shrimp, crab, and lobster with creamy cheeses and spices. Perfect for seafood lovers looking for a comforting, hearty meal with a little kick.

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 translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
3. Step 3: Pour in chicken broth, Great Northern beans, black beans, and drained diced tomatoes with chilis. Mix well to combine.
4. Step 4: Lower heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let simmer for 15–20 minutes to let flavors meld together.
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.
6. Step 6: Stir in shredded cheese, frozen corn, cream cheese, and the seasoned seafood into the pot.
7. Step 7: Increase heat to medium and cook for an additional 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp and seafood are fully cooked and the cheese is melted and creamy.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder chili, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper and chili powder.
• Use fresh seafood when available for best flavor but frozen seafood works well if thawed properly.
• Add a splash of white wine or a squeeze of lime juice before serving for extra brightness.
• Serve the chili over rice or with warm crusty bread to make it more filling.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to maintain creaminess. Avoid boiling when reheating to prevent curdling of the cheese.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of seafood instead of crab and lobster?

Yes, you can substitute with other firm seafood like scallops or chunks of firm white fish. Adjust cooking times accordingly to avoid overcooking.

Is this chili spicy?

This chili has a moderate level of spice thanks to the chili powder and cayenne pepper, but you can easily adjust the heat to your preference by reducing or omitting these spices.

Easy Creamy Seafood and Shrimp Chili Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 147 reviews

This Easy Creamy Seafood and Shrimp Chili is a hearty and flavorful dish blending succulent shrimp, crab, and lobster with a creamy combination of cheeses and beans. Perfectly seasoned and simmered to develop rich flavors, this chili offers a comforting twist on traditional recipes, ideal for seafood lovers seeking a cozy meal.

• Author: Amaya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood

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

Chili 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)

Cheese and Cream

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

Seasonings

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

Instructions

1. Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
2. Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
3. Combine Liquids and Beans: Pour in the chicken broth, add both drained and rinsed Great Northern beans and black beans, and stir in the drained diced tomatoes with chilis. Mix everything well to combine.
4. Simmer Chili Base: Lower the heat to medium-low, cover the Dutch oven, and let the chili base simmer for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. Season Seafood: While the chili base simmers, season the crab meat, lobster meat, and shrimp with seafood seasoning to prepare them for cooking.
6. Add Cheese and Seafood: Stir shredded Colby and Monterey Jack cheese, frozen corn, cream cheese, and the seasoned crab, lobster, and shrimp into the pot.
7. Cook Seafood Through: Increase the heat back to medium and cook for an additional 5 to 6 minutes until all the seafood is fully cooked and the cheeses have melted into a creamy chili.

Notes

• You can substitute the seafood seasoning with Old Bay seasoning for a different flavor profile.
• The diced tomatoes with chilis add a mild heat; adjust the chili powder and cayenne pepper according to your heat preference.
• Use frozen or fresh seafood as preferred; just adjust cooking times accordingly.
• For a dairy-free option, omit the cheeses and cream cheese or use dairy-free alternatives.
• Serve with crusty bread or over rice for a filling meal.

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