Creamy crockpot clam chowder with simple ingredients and very little prep. This recipe tastes so good, and the slow cooker does all the work for you, leaving plenty of time to do other things.

This is one of my favorite recipes to take on vacations. I also make ravioli lasagna and crockpot pulled pork while traveling in the RV or at vacation houses; cooking in a crock pot can feed a crowd quickly.

What is the difference between Manhattan and New England Clam Chowder?

New England clam chowder consists of a hearty broth with potatoes, onions, celery, and including clams. It’s thick and creamy. (This recipe is New England style).

Manhattan red chowder is tomato based with no cream. If you want the red version, try my Crockpot Manhattan Clam Chowder recipe!

Key Ingredients

This recipe comes together quickly. Find the full recipe with ingredient amounts in the recipe card below the images.

• Cream of Potato Soup – you won’t even taste this after you add the other ingredients. It adds the potatoes to the dish, which cuts back on the cooking time.
• Milk – use whole milk for an extra creamy soup; if you have heavy cream or half and half on hand, that works just as well.
• Cream cheese – thickens the soup; I prefer the Philadelphia brand, for it melts the best.
• Canned Minced Clams –  Canned clams taste great in clam chowder, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Add the clam juice from cans to the soup for more flavor. Or you can add bottled clam juice as well.
• White onion – finely minced for this doesn’t have a long cooking time to break down large chunks of onion.
• Bacon – sliced, cooked, and drained.
• Dried Leaf Thyme – This helps the crock pot clam chowder recipe taste restaurant quality.

How to make Clam Chowder in the Crockpot

Step One: Add the clams, cream cheese, cream of potato, bacon, thyme and pepper to the slow cooker.

Step Two: Add the milk and stir. Cook on LOW for 4-5 hours. I like to stir this recipe occasionally during cooking, for it’s a thicker soup that can start sticking to the edges.

Recipe FAQs

More crockpot soup recipes you’ll love:

Warm up with Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana, loaded with sausage and kale, or try Slow Cooker Busy Day Soup, a quick, hearty option with meat and veggies.

For something rich and comforting, Slow Cooker Cauliflower Cheese Soup and Turkey Chowder are creamy, flavorful picks that come together with minimal effort.

Crockpot Corn Chowder and Ham and Green Bean Chowder are great ways to use up leftovers and bring bold, comforting flavors to the dinner table.