Creamy Seafood and Shrimp Chili Recipe

Introduction

This Easy Creamy Seafood and Shrimp Chili is a comforting, flavorful twist on traditional chili. Packed with a variety of seafood and creamy cheese, it’s perfect for anyone wanting a hearty meal with a coastal flair.

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 meat
• 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 3-4 minutes.
2. Step 2: Stir in the 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: Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15–20 minutes to meld the flavors.
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 the 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 all seafood is cooked through and the cheese has melted.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add more cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeño while sautéing the onions.
• If you prefer a thicker chili, mash some of the beans before adding the seafood to create a creamier texture.
• Swap lobster meat for cooked scallops or additional crab if preferred or based on availability.
• Serve with crusty bread or over rice to make it a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring often to prevent curdling. Avoid reheating too long to keep the seafood tender and flavorful.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen seafood for this chili?

Yes, frozen seafood works well. Just make sure it is fully thawed and patted dry before seasoning and adding to the chili to prevent excess water in the dish.

Is it possible to make this chili vegetarian or vegan?

This recipe relies on seafood for flavor, so a vegetarian or vegan version would require significant substitutions. You might try using beans, vegetables, and plant-based cheese alternatives with vegetable broth instead.

Creamy Seafood and Shrimp Chili Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.5 from 90 reviews

• Author: Charlotte
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: Low Salt

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

This Easy Creamy Seafood and Shrimp Chili is a flavorful and hearty dish combining tender shrimp, succulent crab, and lobster meat in a rich, creamy chili base with beans, corn, and melty cheese. It’s a comforting, protein-packed seafood twist on traditional chili that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

---

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 & Cream

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

Seasonings

• Seafood seasoning (to taste)
• Chili powder (to taste)
• Cumin (to taste)
• Red cayenne pepper (to taste)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

---

Instructions

1. Heat oil and sauté onions: Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 cup chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
2. Add garlic: Stir in 2-3 minced garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
3. Add liquids and beans: Pour in 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 1 can each of Great Northern beans and black beans (both drained and rinsed), and 1 can diced tomatoes with chilis (drained). Mix well.
4. Simmer chili base: Lower heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let the chili simmer for 15–20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
5. Season seafood: While the chili simmers, season 5 oz lump crab meat, 5 oz lobster meat, and 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp with seafood seasoning.
6. Add cheese, corn, and seafood: Stir in 1 cup shredded Colby and Monterey Jack cheese, ½ cup frozen corn, 3 oz cream cheese, and the seasoned seafood into the pot.
7. Cook seafood through: Increase heat back to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–6 minutes until all seafood is cooked through and the cheese is melted, making the chili creamy and rich.

Notes

• For best flavor, use fresh seafood if possible, but frozen seafood can work as well.
• Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper and chili powder to control the spiciness level to your taste.
• You can substitute the seafood seasoning with Old Bay or your favorite seafood spice blend.
• Serve with warm crusty bread or over rice for a more filling meal.
• This chili can be made a day ahead; flavors deepen after resting overnight in the refrigerator.
• To keep it dairy-free, omit the cheeses and cream cheese and substitute with coconut cream or a vegan cheese alternative.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: seafood chili, shrimp chili, creamy chili, easy chili recipe, seafood recipes, quick seafood dinner