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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
By it self had a good flavor but I think it’s a little weak in the chicken flavor. Going to see if I can find no salt added stock instead of no salt added broth. My daughter’s bff has high blood pressure and it’s a little out of control so was trying to make a lower sodium cream of chicken soup to use in a recipe.
Rachel says
Used this several times and it always turns out great! Tonight, I need cream of celery and made it exactly the same but added minced celery while the butter was melting. Thank you!
Karly says
Sounds perfect! Thanks for sharing, Rachel!
Lindsey says
I forgot cream of chicken for dinner tonight. Ooops. Found this recipe and thought perfect. I got milk out and of course it was expired. I used 1 cup of chicken broth instead. It was a little thin but tasted great and worked! Thank you!
Karly says
So glad you made it work!
Alyssa says
Loved this so much I would love to start permanently replacing the can with this, but I sometimes I’m rushing with dump and go recipes. Do you know if this recipe is able to be canned in mason jars and stored?
Karly says
Hi Alyssa! I don’t have any experience with canning foods, so I’m not sure how you would safely do this or if it’s possible. Sorry that’s not helpful!
Brandy Alexandre says
Karly, I tried again and it was perfect! Used my homemade stock again, too. FYI, this was for a tater tot chicken pot pie kind of thing, which I highly recommend. My tip is be patient!
Karly says
Oh good! I’m so glad it worked for you this time, Brandy!
Brandy Alexandre says
I’m a little confused. Most recipes ask for undiluted cans of soup and this came out like soup soup ready-to-eat. Is it supposed to be that way? My casserole didn’t turn out.
Karly says
Hi Brandy! This should be fairly thick when you’re done cooking it. The longer you cook it, the thicker it will get. If it was very thin, it may just have needed cooked longer.
Brandy Alexandre says
Well, not the first time I mess up trying to cook. Won’t be the last, either. LOL! I needed a double batch and you’re probably right. For that it probably needed quite a bit longer. I’ll try again, because I’m anxious to make something really homemade. I used my own chicken stock.
Karly says
Ah, I love that you’re making it fully homemade, but hate that it didn’t turn out after all the effort. Hopefully next time works better for you!
Fran says
My sister (who I’m making this for) can’t eat gluten. Can I substitute corn starch for the flour? The recipe looks great!
Karly says
Hi Fran! Your best bet would be to search for a cream of chicken recipe using cornstarch. I’ve never tried it so I don’t want to steer you wrong. 🙂
Shanna says
Absolutely love this, never buying store can cream of chicken ever again. Was wondering can you can this for future use?
Karly says
Hi Shanna! So glad you enjoy the recipe! I don’t have any experience with canning, so I’m not sure how you’d go about that safely.
Kelly says
I was making chicken and dumplings and did not have any cream of chicken soup and I’m glad I didn’t !! This was so easy and delicious !! Thank you for sharing
Karly says
So glad this worked out for you! 🙂
Jeannie C. says
Thank you so much! This worked beautifully in my Grandmother’s recipe for ham on biscuits 😉 It was a much milder flavor and consistency. I love it! It means that I can resume making all sorts of recipes I had been avoiding in the interest of skipping the ingredients in commercially prepared cream soups. I can’t wait to make this again for my sister and parents (I had not had it since I was a kid).
Karly says
So glad you gave it a try and it worked out for you! The ham biscuits sound tasty too! 🙂
Valerie Pelham says
I don’t think I will buy condensed soup ever again. I always have the ingredients on hand at home (they’re staples) anyway. This had great flavor and worked perfect for my experiment recipe!! I might try it with heavy cream next time!
Karly says
So glad it worked out for you, Valerie!
R townsend says
This is delicious
Karly says
Thank you!
Karen W. says
It worked perfectly. I did add a tablespoon of chicken bouillon to the broth and that added nice depth. We’ll do this again.
Karly says
So glad it worked out for you. 🙂
Jo Coleman says
I decided to try this recipe a few months ago and my family loved it! Chicken and dumplings is one of their favorite dishes and now they ask for this instead of the one they grew up eating. I make the homemade soup and it is fantastic. Thanks for the recipe!
Karly says
Love to hear that! Thanks, Jo!
trisha says
I am using a slow cooked recipe that calls for cream of chicken soup… did not have cream of chicken soup on hand.. will this work for slow cook?
Karly says
Yep, should work fine!
Dixie says
Super great substitute – I only had half & half, so used that. Also a 1/4 tsp of Brown Bouquet gravey seasoning gave it some color and flavor.