In a medium pan fry the bacon until crispy. Remove bacon and drain on a paper towel.
In the pan with the bacon fat, add the onion, red pepper, corn, and garlic. Fry until the onion is soft and the corn is charred.
Add the corn mixture to a crock pot. Add the broth, potatoes, and southwest seasoning. Cook on high 3 hours.
When potatoes are soft, blend half the soup with an immersion blender or in regular blender. Or use a potato masher and mash until creamy.
Add drained and rinsed black beans and chopped green chilies. Stir. Garnish with bacon crumbles, tortilla strips, jalapenos, or cilantro, cheese, or sliced green onions.
Notes
Feel free to switch up chicken stock, vegetable broth, or use homemade.
For a vegetarian corn chowder, use vegetable stock.
Want it creamier? add in some half and half or heavy cream 20 minutes before serving.
Use your fresh sweet corn or frozen corn kernels. whatever you have handy.
For even more southwest flavor add a poblano pepper.
Great recipe is dairy free and gluten free.
Garnish with shredded cheese to make it even better.
Want more spice, add some sliced jalapeños before serving.
Use frozen or fresh corn, whatever you have on hand.