Key West Sunshine Corn & Chicken Chowder

Ingredients

• 4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced into 1-inch pieces
• 3 Tbsp Salted Perfection Key West Select Blend
• 1 Tbsp olive oil (if needed)
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 cups peeled and diced yuca (about 1 medium root), 1/2-inch cubes
• 4 cups chicken broth (ensure gluten-free and soy-free)
• 3 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
• 1 (13.5 oz) can full-fat coconut milk
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon, reserving about 1 tablespoon of rendered fat in the pot. Set the crispy bacon aside for garnish.
2. Toss the diced chicken with 2 tablespoons of Salted Perfection Key West Select Blend. Increase heat to medium-high. Add the seasoned chicken to the pot and sear for 3-4 minutes until lightly browned on all sides. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
3. If needed, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Add the diced onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Stir in the diced yuca and the remaining 1 tablespoon of Salted Perfection Key West Select Blend. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to coat the yuca.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the yuca is tender when pierced with a fork. This is where the magic happens, so don't rush it!
6. Add the corn kernels, the seared chicken, and the full-fat coconut milk to the pot. Stir well and return to a gentle simmer. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to finish cooking through.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning with black pepper, if desired. Stir in the 1/4 cup fresh cilantro.
8. Ladle the chowder into bowls. Garnish each serving with the reserved crispy bacon and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Boom! That's how we do it in Tony's kitchen!
9. Visit www.saltedperfection.com and leave a Five Star review. DUNZO!