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Whether you are searching for a substitute for cream of chicken soup because you think the cans are kind of gross, or you want a cream of chicken substitute because you forgot to snag a can at the store, this recipe is exactly what you need! It’s easy and nearly as fast as cracking open a can of glop.
Alright, I admit it. I sometimes make casseroles or other dishes using that weird, gloppy cream of whatever soup from a can. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s cheap.
For the most part, though, I try to make my own cream soups for use in those recipes. Not only is this healthier than the salty canned goo, it’s also super (souper!) simple.
If you’re trying to make your dinner healthier, you’ll love this cream of chicken soup substitute!
Not to mention, sometimes I just don’t have cream of anything in my pantry and I’m too lazy to get to the store. I pretty much always have the ingredients to make this on hand. Although, I will admit, there have been times when I didn’t have chicken stock and (I can’t believe I’m admitting this) I just used salty water. It’s true. I substituted salty water for chicken broth. Don’t kick me out of the food bloggers’ club, okay?
Check out this Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole using this cream of chicken soup substitute and you can put it to the test yourself.
This substitute for cream of chicken soup recipe is equal to one can of soup.
Cream of Chicken Soup Substitute
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup milk
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a small sauce pan over medium-low heat. When melted, whisk in the flour and continue whisking until smooth and bubbly.
- Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and milk. Bring to a gentle boil, whisking constantly, until the soup thickens. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Alex says
Could you use cornstarch instead of flour? If not, what kind of flour do you use?
Also would almond milk work? Thanks, I’m just trying to do gluten & dairy-free.
Karly says
Hi Alex!
I haven’t tried making this with cornstarch or a gluten free flour. I would just use whatever flour you usually use for gravy, because that’s really all this is. As for almond milk, I haven’t tried it myself, but I think it would work fine.
JCool says
I make this a LOT and use gluten free flour or baking mix. Turns out great! We have also used almond milk with success although my Hubster was not a fan of the almond taste.
Karly says
Good to know! Thank you!
mary says
We make this using gluten-free flour and sweetened almond milk. The sweetened almond milk hides the almond taste and makes it more equivalent to the sweetness of milk to me.
Jess says
Thanks so much for this! I was working on putting away crock pot freezer meals while my twin toddlers napped and realized we were out of cans of cream of chicken soup! This was so quick and easy to make! I’m sure it also a lot healthier since it doesn’t have all the added salt most canned soups have! Thanks a million for helping me out of a bind when I needed to stock my freezer!
Karly says
@Jess,
Glad you were able to get your work done while the kids napped. 🙂
Becky says
So glad to have found this as I live in a part of the world where “cream of” soups aren’t available. This is cheaper and healthier, anyway! Question: Does this replace the soup as it comes out of the can, or as it would be with water added? So if a recipe calls for just the canned gloop with no other liquid, would this still work? I’m thinking specifically of casseroles with a cream-soup base.
Karly says
@Becky,
This would replace the soup as it comes out of the can. It’s not something that I would eat as a soup mixed with milk or water like you would the canned version, but it’s a perfect replacement in casseroles. 🙂
Katie S says
I am trying this with lactose free, fat free milk and lactose free butter. I doubled the flour, thinking the fat free milk might need help thickening. I hope it works.
Karly says
@Katie S,
Hope it turned out for you!
Lydia says
Finally, I’ll be able to make casseroles! I haven’t been able to try before now because I’m allergic to MSG, and it’s IMPOSSIBLE to find MSG free cream-of-anything soup in this area. Thank you!
Chrissy says
Anyone who thinks to sub in salt water for chicken broth has my vote for resourcefulness!! I’m a fan…. Thank you 🙂
Kat Sanford says
Oh my goodness… I’ve been trying to find ways to make our meals more healthy since we’ve skipped purees and allowed my 9 month old to just eat table food with us. Getting rid of cream of chicken soup was a big one. When I read some people wanted to eat this straight out of the sauce pan, I couldn’t believe it. BUT! I made made it with reduced sodium chicken broth and following all your other directions, did not add any pepper or salt, and I cannot believe how tasty it is!! Amazing! Thank you for posting!!
Dawn says
If I used vegetable broth and add diced sauteed mushrooms ….cream of mushroom? No other changes in your opinion? 🙂
sherrie ager says
Can this be made ahead of time and stored for later use? If so, what method would you suggest, refrigerator or freezer?
Karly says
@sherrie ager,
I’m really not sure. I think it might separate if left to sit too long.
Emily says
@Karly, We froze ours and it works great! 😀
Jody says
Thank you so much for posting this. My partner and I are cutting out as much processed food as we can and I thought that a favorite casserole of ours was never going to land on our dinner table again due to the cream of chicken soup that is in the sauce.
I tasted this after it was done bubbling away (but not yet my finished casserole, it’s in the oven) and it’s pretty darn tasty! I’m looking forward to using this recipe many times in the future.
Jenna says
Has anyone used this in a crock pot recipe?
Amy says
This is the best substitute for canned cream of chicken soup! I usually throw in a chicken bouillon cube as well. Thanks so much for the recipe, I use it all the time!
Karly says
Hi @Amy!
So glad you enjoy the recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Pammy says
Wonderful!
Stacie Rhodes says
I use this all the time!
Stacie Rhodes says
I use tho every time I make chicken noodle soup.