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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.
Michelle says
I like that you gave a recipe of how to make cream of chicken soup from scratch. Would you be able to compare canned cream of chicken to your recipe, this calories, fat, carbohydrates, etc? Thank you for any help you can give me.
Karly says
I’ll have to find a can of the soup. Great idea! If you have a can and want to compare yourself, the nutrition info for this recipe is at the bottom of the recipe. 🙂
Ms Kat says
Your recipe saved the day. Figured having chicken broth on hand would be helpful. Appreciate smart people like yourself.
Karly says
Thanks so much! Glad the recipe helped!
Carole Napoli says
I love this recipe! Needed Cream of chicken soup and found this! Glad I did. I used heavy cream and roasted chicken flavoring. It is great! Thanks!
rp says
Thank you so much for this! It helped with an ultra low sodium diet; so nice to not open the “healthy” can. Will be our go-to in the future!
Brooke says
This was great! Made this because I needed some in a pinch, and I’m glad that I found this recipe! I will use this again in future. Note – it’s not seasoned very much, but this wasn’t a bad thing as I was able to season it how I needed for the recipe.
Claudia Miller says
I really liked this recipe and plan on using it all the time. Think I’ll try freezing some so I’ll have it on hand.
Karly says
Let us know how it works after being frozen! 🙂
Sharon Beetem says
This sounds great! Have you tried freezing it in meal sized portions?
Karly says
No, I’ve never tried freezing this one.
Charlie says
Great and easy way to cut some processed items.
Jacqueline says
Can you use almond milk instead of regular milk?
Karly says
Probably, though I’ve never tried myself.
Lisa says
I won’t be trying this out as I just use a can of cream of chicken soup and it just gloped out of the can. Is it the same for cream of mushroom? Golden mushroom?
Karly says
Yes, you would just sauté mushrooms in the butter before adding the flour.
Leslie says
I don’t often use recipes the call for Cream of “?” soup because the sodium level is so high and my husband is on a sodium restricted diet. Today I tried your recipe and it was so good. I did add 1 package of “Herb ox Sodium Free Chicken Bouillon” and salt free butter and an extra 1/2 T flour as I wanted it a bit thicker.
I can definitely recommend this recipe! I will be using it again! Thank you!
Karly says
Thanks so much, Leslie!
Theresa says
You saved the day and I added cream of chicken to my cream of kielbasa soup as recipe called for this is my new go to for gravy, too… it’s so golden, I got teary eyed
Karly says
Thanks, Theresa!
Shannon Ferger says
This was so incredibly easy and so much better than the canned cream of chicken soup, this will be my go to from now on! I roasted 2 chickens for Thanksgiving and saved the cooking liquid and used that instead of broth, and wow, just fantastic! I’m using this cream of chicken soup in the crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe today and I’m so excited to see how it turns out!
Karly says
Oh yay! Love to hear that! Thanks, Shannon. 🙂
Sheri says
This was easy and delicious. I prepared it before work one morning as a substitute for the canned version in a recipe I was making for dinner. I will definitely make it again and I feel much better eating the homemade version than the canned version. Thank you for the recipe!
Karly says
Glad you enjoyed the recipe, Sheri!
Rachel says
When you substitute salty water instead of chicken broth , how much salt?? Per half cup?
Karly says
I really don’t measure it. I just salt it to give it a little flavor.