Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe (2024)

by Stephanie on July 20, 2020 (Updated April 26, 2023)581*This post may contain affiliate links. Read more »

This homemade Cream of Chicken Soup recipe is an easy substitute for condensed soup and adds comforting home cooked flavor to your favorite casseroles and soups. It’s also freezer-friendly and easy to make!

Be sure to try my homemade condensed cream of mushroom soup next!

Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe (1)

Cream of Chicken Soup

I literally stood in my kitchen with an open can of condensed Cream of Chicken Soup, and a pot of this homemade version, and took a spoon to each one to perform a very serious taste-test to compare the two.

All of a sudden, I was hyper-aware as to how processed it tasted from a can compared to the soothing and comforting homemade version.

Since this recipe is freezer-friendly and can be easily stored in can-sized portions, I think we should all try to take our cooking to the next level by making our favorite casseroles and soups with thisCream of Chicken Soup recipe whenever we “can”. 😂

(That was terrible, and I’m sorry.)

How to Make it

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Let it fully melt and begin to foam. This allows the water in the butter to cook off which will create a smoother consistency.

Gradually sprinkle in the flour and whisk continuously for 3-5 minutes to cook off the raw flour taste. It will become the consistency of wet sand.

Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe (2)

Remove from heat. Add 1/3 of the chicken broth, whisk well. Whisk in 1/3 more, until combined. Finally, whisk in the rest. Temper the milk by microwaving it for 45 seconds, slowly add it to the saucepan and whisk to combine.

Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe (3)

Add the seasonings. Add to medium-high heat to thicken it back up.

Whisk continuously as it increases in temperature and reaches near-boiling point. It will become very thick. Remove from heat immediately once it’s thickened. It will thicken even more as it sits.

Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe (4)

PRO TIP: Run the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to make it super smooth, just like a can of condensed soup.

This strainer is also a perfect tool for making homemade chicken stock, or to run oil through if you want to reuse it after making a batch of fried chicken or french fries. It’s a great investment in the kitchen.

Using as a Substitute for Condensed Soup

  • This recipe serves as a direct substitute for canned Cream of Chicken soup.
  • 1 batch= two (10.5 oz.) cans of soup, each can is about 1 + 1/4 cups.
  • I recommend storing these in freezable soup containers.

Using as a Base for Homemade Soup

My Homemade Chicken Stew recipe is a perfect way to put this recipe to use, as it uses a can of Cream of Chicken Soup as a base. It’s also Stove Top, Crock Pot, and Instant Pot friendly.(Check out the reviews, it’s one of the most popular recipes on the blog!)

Storage

  • Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 4 months.

Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe (5)

Recipes That Use Cream of Chicken Soup

See my complete collection here.

Chicken Divan
Chicken Tetrazzini
Creamy Chicken Stew

Crock Pot Chicken and Stuffing
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Chicken Noodle Casserole

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Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

5 from 205 ratings

Servings: 2 cans

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This homemade Cream of Chicken Soup recipe is a direct substitute for condensed soup and adds comforting home cooked flavor to your favorite casseroles and soups. It's also freezer-friendly and easy to make!

Ingredients

  • 4 Tablespoons Butter
  • ½ cup + 2 Tablespoons Flour
  • 2 cups Chicken Broth
  • 1 chicken bouillon cube, or 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon. (Optional- see notes.)
  • 1 cup milk, preferably whole but any kind works
  • 1/3 teaspoon celery salt
  • 1/3 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/3 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/3 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Note: It’s important to whisk continuously throughout this process to ensure the smoothest possible consistency.

  • Temper the milk by microwaving it for 45 seconds. This prevents curdling but also prevents lumps from forming when it’s added. Set aside.

  • Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Let it fully melt and wait until it starts to foam, about 3 minutes.

  • Gradually add the flour, whisk continuously for 3-5 minutes, until it’s the consistency of wet sand. Remove from heat.

  • Add 1/3 of the chicken broth and whisk well. Add 1/3 more, whisk well.

  • Add the remaining chicken broth, chicken bouillon, warm milk, and seasonings, whisk continuously.

  • Return to heat and bring to a near boil. Continue to whisk until it begins to get very thick. Immediately remove from heat.

  • Soup will continue to thicken upon standing.

  • If possible, run the mixture through a fine mesh strainer for a super-smooth consistency.

  • Use as a direct substitute for condensed cream of chicken soup, this recipe makes enough for two (10.5 oz.) cans.

Notes

Adding chicken bouillon to the mix help match the concentrated chicken flavor found in condensed soups. This is especially helpful if store-bought chicken broth (such as Swanson), is used instead of homemade chicken stock.

Reducing Sodium: You can use unsalted butter and reduced sodium chicken broth and bouillon to lower the salt content. You can also refrain from adding salt as a seasoning.

Storage:

  • Refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 4 months. Mixture may separate slightly once reheated but whisking will correct that.
  • I recommend storing these in freezable soup containers.
  • This soup cannot be canned as it contains dairy.

Be sure to try my homemade condensed cream of mushroom soup next!

Nutrition

Calories: 434kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 28g, Saturated Fat: 17g, Cholesterol: 72mg, Sodium: 2008mg, Potassium: 391mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 897IU, Vitamin C: 16mg, Calcium: 165mg, Iron: 2mg

Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Author: Stephanie

Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is cream of chicken soup made of? ›

CHICKEN BROTH (WATER, CHICKEN STOCK), MODIFIED CORN STARCH, CHICKEN FAT, SEASONED CHICKEN, VEGETABLE OIL (CORN, CANOLA AND OR SOYBEAN), WHEAT FLOUR, SALT, CREAM, YEAST EXTRACT, MODIFIED MILK INGREDIENTS, SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, ONION POWDER, VINEGAR, BETA CAROTENE, FLAVOUR (CONTAINS CELERY).

How to make canned cream of chicken soup better? ›

But to put some pep back in your soup's step, you're going to want to add more. Start by sautéing any combination of finely chopped vegetables and alliums—like onion, garlic, carrots, celery, bell peppers, and ginger. Whatever you choose is going to infuse the entire can of soup you're about to heat.

Can you eat cream of chicken as a soup? ›

A bowl of our Cream of Chicken Soup served with fresh baked bread is hearty enough to serve on its own, or you can beef it up with whatever's fresh in your kitchen. Condensed soups are also the perfect base for casseroles and starters for sauces, so your imagination is the limit.

What can you substitute for a can of cream of chicken soup? ›

directions
  • Over medium heat combine butter, onion, garlic, milk, heavy cream, and chicken broth in medium sauce pan until combined.
  • Add flour, salt and pepper and stir until it thickens. (About 3 minutes).
  • Just add more flour if you want it thicker.
  • Use in any recipe you need it for.

Is there a difference between condensed cream of chicken soup and cream of chicken soup? ›

What's the Difference Between Condensed Soup and Regular Soup? Condensed soup is essentially soup boiled down to a thick stock, with most of the volume of water removed. If you took a can of regular soup and boiled it down to half the volume, you'd get the same thickness as condensed soup.

Does cream of chicken soup go bad? ›

Creamy soups like Campbell's Condensed Cream of Tomato Soup will generally last three to four days in the fridge. Similarly, soups with meat content such as Campbell's Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup will also last in the fridge for up to four days.

What thickens cream soup? ›

Add Flour, Cornstarch, or Other Thickener: Starches thicken soup and give it body. Whisk a few tablespoons of starch into a little of the broth in a separate bowl before whisking it into the main pot. This prevents the starch from clumping and helps it dissolve into the soup evenly. 8.

How to jazz up canned chicken soup? ›

Depending on the soup's flavor profile, you could shake in some cumin or red pepper flakes. Go green: Add some spinach or chopped kale or pesto. Get zesty: A squirt of lemon juice or zest could brighten up an otherwise flat soup. Starchy things: Homemade croutons, crushed tortilla chips, or oyster crackers.

How do you deepen chicken soup flavor? ›

For a deeply flavorful chicken soup, get some boneless, skinless chicken thighs, season them, brown them in a skillet, then finish them in a 375 F oven. You can refrigerate them until you're ready to make the soup, then simply dice them up and add them to the soup at the very end.

What is the best soup to break up mucus? ›

Chicken soup and other fluids can improve symptoms. Drinking plenty of liquids, such as water, juice, clear broth or chicken soup helps loosen mucus that can cause congestion and helps prevent dehydration. Warm liquids can help ease a sore throat.

Is chicken soup good for mucus? ›

According to a study, chicken soup can help clear mucus from nasal passages and relieve congestion better than other hot liquids. Actually, any hot liquid helps clear stuffy heads more than cold liquid, but chicken soup “worked better” than hot water.

Is cream of chicken soup good for illness? ›

There's a reason that chicken soup has been recommended as a cure for the common cold for hundreds of years. It's easy to eat, a great source of vitamins, minerals, calories, and proteins. It's also a great way to get fluids and electrolytes into your body, especially if you have a fever or diarrhea.

Can I use sour cream instead of cream of chicken soup? ›

Can you substitute sour cream for cream of chicken soup? If you're short on time and you don't have a can of cream of chicken soup, sour cream works just fine! It won't have a chicken-forward flavor, but one cup of sour cream creates the same texture and body as a can of cream of chicken soup.

Can you save an open can of cream of chicken soup? ›

Yes. Unused portions of canned food may be refrigerated in the can, but to preserve optimum quality and flavor, place the unused portion in a food-grade glass or plastic container. Use within 4 days.

Can I use milk instead of cream of chicken? ›

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour to make a roux and cook for a minute or two to eliminate the raw flour taste. Gradually add the chicken broth and milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Simmer the mixture until it thickens to a creamy consistency.

What is cream chicken made of? ›

Melted butter, flour, chicken broth, and cream are combined in a pan to create a delicious creamy sauce before adding the chicken and mushrooms. Use broth with a nice flavor because the other seasonings are just salt, pepper, and dry sherry.

What ingredient do all cream soups contain? ›

A cream soup will often have a soup base, prepared with ingredients such as onion, celery, garlic powder, celery salt, butter, bacon drippings, flour, salt, pepper, paprika, milk, light cream, and chicken stock or vegetable stock. Various vegetables or meats are then added to the base.

Does cream of chicken have chicken chunks in it? ›

Most varieties of this soup contain flour, milk, butter, and chopped cooked chicken. Some recipes will also include salt, pepper, and other spices. Does this soup have chunks of chicken in it? Yes, there are chunks of chicken in this soup.

Does cream of chicken soup contain dairy? ›

YES! Regular canned condensed cream of chicken soup has cream and butter (dairy) and wheat flour (gluten). Those are the easy ingredients to understand! There's also “modified food starch” which could contain gluten, and “whey”, which is most likely dairy based.

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