Unlock a world of creamy, comforting flavor right in your own kitchen with this simple recipe for Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup. Forget the overly processed, sodium-laden canned versions that often sit in the back of your pantry. With just a handful of everyday pantry staples, you can create a rich, delicious, and healthier alternative that will elevate your favorite casseroles, sauces, and standalone dishes. Preparing this versatile kitchen essential from scratch isn’t just about avoiding unwanted ingredients; it’s about embracing the wholesome goodness and superior taste that only homemade can offer. Get ready to toss that can opener aside and discover the effortless joy of crafting your own creamy chicken base!
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Are you actively searching for a wholesome, flavorful, and easy-to-prepare substitute for those familiar cans of condensed cream of soup? Your search ends here! This homemade cream of chicken soup recipe is incredibly quick and straightforward, allowing you to whip it up right on your stove. It’s the perfect solution for anyone looking to ditch processed ingredients without sacrificing taste or convenience in their cooking.
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Is Canned Cream of Soup Harmful?
While convenient, many store-bought condensed cream of chicken soups are far from a healthy choice. A quick glance at the nutritional label often reveals a concerning list of ingredients. These products are typically packed with excessive amounts of fat, often from unhealthy sources, and alarmingly high levels of sodium. For individuals monitoring their blood pressure or those simply striving for a healthier lifestyle, these levels can be detrimental.
Beyond the fat and sodium, you’ll frequently encounter ingredients like modified food starch. This processed additive is primarily used as a thickener, allowing manufacturers to achieve a creamy texture without using more natural, whole ingredients. You might also spot vegetable oil (often high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can be inflammatory in excess), added sugars, and vague listings like “flavoring.” “Flavoring” is a broad term that essentially means artificial or natural compounds have been added to enhance or alter the natural taste, often masking the lack of real flavor from quality ingredients. Choosing homemade gives you complete control over every single ingredient, ensuring a truly nourishing and delicious outcome.
Benefits of Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup
Opting for a homemade cream of chicken soup offers a multitude of advantages that extend beyond just avoiding unhealthy additives. Firstly, the **nutritional value** is significantly higher. You control the amount of sodium, fat, and sugar, and you can choose high-quality ingredients like organic chicken broth, fresh milk, and your favorite blend of natural spices. This makes it a much healthier base for your family’s meals, especially for those with dietary restrictions or health goals.
Secondly, the **flavor profile** of homemade soup is simply unmatched. Canned versions often have a generic, sometimes metallic taste. Homemade soup, however, bursts with fresh, authentic chicken and savory herb notes, providing a more robust and satisfying foundation for any dish. The subtle nuances of garlic, onion, and poultry seasoning truly shine through, elevating the taste of anything it’s added to.
Furthermore, making your own cream of chicken soup is incredibly **cost-effective**. While individual cans might seem cheap, regularly buying them adds up. Using basic pantry staples, which you likely already have, often turns out to be more economical in the long run. Plus, you can make larger batches to freeze, ensuring you always have a healthy, convenient option on hand.
Lastly, there’s an undeniable **sense of accomplishment and customization**. Knowing exactly what goes into your food provides peace of mind. You can adjust seasonings to your personal preference, make it thicker or thinner, or even introduce new flavors. It’s a simple skill that empowers you to cook more intentionally and enjoy your food even more.
How to Make Cream of Chicken Soup
Creating your own creamy chicken base is surprisingly straightforward and requires minimal effort. Here’s a detailed look at the process, ensuring a perfect batch every time:
- **Simmer the Broth:** Begin by pouring chicken broth into a saucepan. Place it over medium-high heat and bring it to a gentle boil. Using a good quality, low-sodium chicken broth will give your soup the best flavor foundation.
- **Prepare the Thickening Mixture:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, poultry seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. It’s crucial to whisk this mixture thoroughly until the flour is completely dissolved and no lumps remain. This ensures a smooth, creamy soup without any gritty texture.
- **Combine and Stir:** Once the broth is boiling, slowly and gradually pour the milk-and-flour mixture into the saucepan. Continuously stir the broth with a whisk as you add the mixture. This constant stirring is key to preventing lumps and ensuring the soup thickens evenly.
- **Thicken to Perfection:** Reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue to cook and stir the soup regularly until it thickens to your desired consistency. This usually takes about 6-10 minutes. The soup will become noticeably thicker as it simmers, developing that signature creamy texture.
Remember, the goal is a smooth, rich base that can be used in a myriad of recipes or enjoyed on its own. The magic truly happens when those simple ingredients combine to form something far greater than the sum of their parts.
Tips for Perfect Consistency
Achieving the ideal consistency for your homemade cream of chicken soup is vital, whether you prefer it thick for casseroles or a bit thinner for a standalone soup. Here are a few expert tips to help you get it just right:
- **Preventing Lumps:** The secret to a perfectly smooth soup lies in how you combine the flour and milk. Always whisk the flour into cold milk in a separate bowl until it’s completely smooth before adding it to the hot broth. Adding flour directly to hot liquid can cause instant clumping.
- **Slow and Steady Wins the Race:** When incorporating the milk-flour mixture into the boiling broth, do so slowly while continuously whisking. This gradual addition and constant motion help temper the milk and ensure even dispersion of the thickener.
- **Adjusting Thickness:** If your soup turns out too thin, you can create a small slurry by whisking a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water or milk. Slowly whisk this into the simmering soup and cook for another minute or two until it thickens. If it becomes too thick, simply add a splash more chicken broth or milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
- **Simmer, Don’t Boil:** Once the soup begins to thicken, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Over-boiling can sometimes cause the milk to curdle or the flour to break down, affecting the texture.
- **Taste and Adjust:** Always taste your soup before taking it off the heat. Adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings as needed. The flavor will deepen as it simmers.
What to Use Cream of Chicken Soup For
The versatility of homemade cream of chicken soup is truly remarkable. It serves as an excellent base, thickener, and flavor enhancer in a wide array of dishes, offering a much healthier and more flavorful alternative to its canned counterpart. Here are just a few ideas to inspire your culinary creations:
- **Hearty Casseroles:** This is perhaps its most classic application. Use it in Southern Cornbread Dressing, chicken and rice casseroles, tuna noodle casseroles, or any creamy baked dish that calls for a condensed soup. It adds incredible richness and binds ingredients beautifully.
- **Creamy Sauces and Gravies:** Whisk it into pan drippings to create a luscious gravy for roasted chicken or turkey. It also makes a fantastic base for quick pasta sauces, adding a velvety texture and savory depth.
- **Pot Pies and Savory Tarts:** For a comforting chicken pot pie, this soup forms the perfect creamy filling, mingling wonderfully with vegetables and tender chicken pieces under a flaky crust.
- **Soup Base Extender:** Already making a chicken noodle soup or a vegetable soup? Stir in a spoonful of this cream of chicken soup to add extra creaminess and a boost of savory flavor, transforming a clear broth into something more substantial.
- **Stroganoff and Skillet Meals:** Use it to create a quick and creamy chicken or mushroom stroganoff. It also works wonders in one-pan skillet meals, coating ingredients with a rich, uniform sauce.
- Instant Pot Green Bean Casserole: A holiday staple that truly shines with a homemade cream of chicken base, offering a depth of flavor you won’t get from a can.
How Long Will it Last in the Fridge?
One of the fantastic aspects of making your own cream of chicken soup is its excellent shelf life in the refrigerator, allowing for convenient meal prep. Once your soup has cooled completely to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container. Properly stored, it will maintain its freshness and quality for up to a week. To ensure maximum longevity and food safety, avoid leaving the soup at room temperature for extended periods. Promptly refrigerating it within two hours of cooking is always recommended.
Freezer Tips
Freezing homemade cream of chicken soup is a brilliant way to have a healthy, ready-to-use base whenever you need it, cutting down on cooking time for future meals. It freezes exceptionally well, making it a perfect component for batch cooking.
I highly recommend freezing mine using these soup molds from Amazon or similar silicone muffin trays. These allow you to freeze individual portions, which are incredibly convenient for adding directly to recipes without needing to thaw the entire batch. Once frozen solid, pop the portions out and transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container to save space. Alternatively, you can freeze larger quantities in freezer-safe containers, leaving a little headspace for expansion.
Your homemade cream of chicken soup will freeze well for up to 4 months. When you’re ready to use it, simply defrost it in the fridge overnight. For quicker thawing, you can also gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently, or use the defrost setting on your microwave. Be aware that the texture might change slightly after freezing and thawing, potentially becoming a little thinner or separating slightly. A quick whisk during reheating will usually bring it back to its creamy consistency.
Common Questions and Troubleshooting
Even with simple recipes, questions can arise. Here are answers to some common inquiries and solutions for potential issues you might encounter:
- **Can I make it dairy-free?** Yes! You can substitute regular milk with unsweetened almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk. For extra richness, full-fat canned coconut milk can also be used, though it might impart a slight coconut flavor. Ensure your broth is also dairy-free.
- **How about gluten-free?** Absolutely. Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (one that contains xanthan gum works best for thickening) or use cornstarch. If using cornstarch, create a slurry with cold water or milk before adding it to the hot broth to prevent lumps.
- **My soup is too thick/thin.**
- **Too thick:** Gradually whisk in more chicken broth or milk until your desired consistency is reached.
- **Too thin:** Make a small slurry with 1 tablespoon of flour (or gluten-free flour/cornstarch) and 1 tablespoon of cold water or milk. Whisk it into the simmering soup and cook for another 1-2 minutes until it thickens.
- **What if my soup curdles?** This can sometimes happen if the heat is too high or if the milk is added too quickly to boiling liquid. While it’s hard to completely reverse curdling, you can try removing it from the heat and whisking vigorously. To prevent it, ensure you’re using medium-low heat and temper the milk mixture by slowly adding it while stirring.
- **Can I add chicken to the soup?** This recipe is designed as a base, but you can certainly add cooked, shredded chicken to make it a standalone soup. Add it towards the end of the cooking process, just enough to heat through.
Popular Soup Recipes
If you’re a soup lover, there are countless delicious and comforting recipes to explore. Here are some other popular soup recipes that are sure to warm you up and satisfy your cravings:
Chicken Lasagna Soup
Keto Broccoli Cheddar SoupInstant Pot Baked Potato SoupKeto Zuppa Toscana SoupInstant Pot Zuppa Toscana SoupBuffalo Chicken SoupInstant Pot Split Pea SoupInstant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken Orzo Soup
Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
Beer Cheese Soup with Bacon
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe
Brandi Crawford
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Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the chicken broth to a saucepan on medium-high heat. Bring to a boil.2 cups chicken broth
- Combine the flour, milk, and seasonings in a separate bowl. Whisk vigorously until the flour is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth, ensuring no lumps remain.1 ½ cups milk, ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste
- Slowly add the milk and flour mixture to the pot with the boiling chicken broth. Continue to stir constantly with a whisk to prevent any lumps from forming.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens to a rich, creamy consistency. This process typically takes about 6-10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow the soup to cool fully before storing or using in other recipes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.