Instant Pot Cheesy Ham Chowder

 

1 T. olive oil

1 cup diced onion

2 cups chicken broth

2 cups sliced carrots

2 ½ cup diced potatoes (peeled or with skins on…any variety of potato will work, I used yellow)

1 ½ cups frozen corn

½ tsp. pepper

¼ tsp. dried thyme

2 cups cubed ham

2 cups half and half

3 T. cornstarch

½ cup bacon crumbles

1 ½ cups grated sharp cheddar cheese

 

Turn your Instant Pot to the sauté setting. When the display says HOT add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the onion and sauté for about 4 minutes. Pour in the broth. Add in the carrots, potatoes, corn, pepper, thyme and ham. Turn off the sauté setting. Cover the pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the SOUP button to 3 minutes (if you don’t have a SOUP button just use the manual/pressure cook button). When the time is up let the pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move the valve to venting. Remove the lid. Stir ¼ cup of hot broth into the half and half and stir to temper it. Then pour the half and half into the pot. In a small bowl stir together 3 T. of cornstarch with 3-4 T. of water, until smooth. Then pour the mixture into the Instant Pot. Turn your Instant Pot to the sauté setting. The cornstarch mixture will thicken up contents of pot quickly. Stir in the bacon and cheddar. Turn off the sauté setting.

Ladle into bowls and serve.

 

8 servings

Calories: 419

Fat: 22g

Fiber: 3g