Substitute for Cream of Chicken Soup: 7 Fantastic Alternatives
Updated on March 2, 2023
Cream of chicken soup is excellent for cooking, but you might right out of it and need a substitute ingredient to use in a pinch.
Read on to discover the best substitute for cream of chicken soup.
Cream of chicken soup is a type of soup made from chicken broth and cream. This soup is thick, creamy, smooth, mildly flavored, high in protein, and low in fat. The thickness is owed to the addition of flour or cornstarch. Depending on how it is prepared, cream of chicken soup may include onion, celery, carrot, and herbs such as parsley. A substitute for cream of chicken soup should mimic at least part of these qualities.
The best substitutes for cream of chicken soup are sour cream, unflavored Greek yogurt, condensed chicken broth, roux, beurre manié, thickening agents, and other creamed soups. Here’s a bit of info about each of these ingredients:
1. Sour cream
Sour cream is one of the best cream of chicken soup substitutes, thanks to its binding properties. Sour cream mimics the texture of cream of chicken soup, but it has a slightly tangy taste.
Use sour cream to replace cream of chicken soup in most recipes, especially bean-based ones like enchiladas.
When using sour cream as an alternative to cream of chicken soup, apply the 1:2 ratio. For example, use ½ cup of sour cream for 1 cup of cream of chicken soup. Taste and add more if needed. To improve the flavor of the dish and counteract the tangy flavor of sour cream, add seasonings or a bit of chicken broth.
2. Unflavored Greek yogurt
Unflavored Greek yogurt is a good substitute for cream of chicken soup, thanks to its thickening and binding qualities. It’s similar to sour cream but has a tangier taste.
Use unflavored Greek yogurt as an alternative to cream of chicken soup in dishes with chicken or rice.
When using unflavored Greek yogurt as an alternative to cream of chicken soup, apply the 1:2 ratio. For example, use ½ cup of unflavored Greek yogurt for 1 cup of cream of chicken soup. Taste and add more if needed. To make Greek yogurt thicker before adding it to your dish, run it through a towel-lined sieve to remove as much moisture as possible. For extra flavor, blend the yogurt with seasonings or a bit of chicken broth.
3. Condensed chicken broth
Condensed chicken broth is a great substitute for cream of chicken soup, thanks to its consistency and chicken flavor.
Compared to regular chicken broth, condensed chicken broth has been boiled down to remove most of its water, so it is thicker, similar to jelly. Furthermore, condensed chicken broth is saltier, more flavorful, and tastes more intense than standard chicken broth, which is why it is a better alternative to cream of chicken soup. It is possible to make condensed chicken broth at home or buy it online.
When using condensed chicken broth as an alternative to cream of chicken soup, use 1 ⅓ cups of condensed chicken broth for 1 can of cream of chicken soup.
4. Roux
Roux is a good substitute for cream of chicken soup, thanks to its thick consistency. Unlike cream of chicken soup, this condiment has a nutty flavor.
Roux is a mixture of equal parts flour and fat. To make roux, cook the flour in the fat over low heat until thick, smooth, and light brown. Use all-purpose, wheat, or pastry flour, together with butter, margarine, or oil as fat. Use roux as an alternative to cream of chicken soup for adding thickness to sauces, soups, and gravies.
When using roux in place of cream of chicken soup, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, add 1 cup of roux for 1 cup of cream of chicken soup. For extra flavor, mix roux with seasonings or chicken broth.
5. Beurre manié
Beurre manié is a great substitute for cream of chicken soup, thanks to its creamy consistency.
Also known as kneaded butter, beurre manié is a mixture of equal parts of flour and soft butter. This mixture is a good alternative to cream of chicken soup for thickening sauces and soups. Beurre manié is similar to roux but it is not cooked.
To make kneaded butter, mix butter with flour until it forms a tough paste, then blend it with warm water and whisk to form a soft paste without lumps. Add this paste to your dish immediately to thicken it, or freeze it in an ice cube tray and then use the cubes whenever you need a cream of chicken soup replacement.
When using beurre manié as an alternative to cream of chicken soup, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, add 1 cup of beurre manié for 1 cup of cream of chicken soup. To enhance the dish’s flavor, mix the flour-butter paste with chicken broth or seasonings.
6. Thickening agents
Thickening agents are a good substitute for cream of chicken soup because they add flavor and body to a dish without the extra calories, fat, or dairy.
Use thickening agents to replace cream of chicken soup in stews, sauces, casseroles, and stir-fries. Common thickening agents include wheat flour, cornstarch, arrowroot, tapioca, gelatin, and pectin. However, it is important to choose the right thickening agent that will complement your dish. For example, wheat flour is better for gumbo, sauces, and gravy, while cornstarch is more suited for stews, pies, and dumplings.
When using a dry thickening agent as an alternative to cream of chicken soup, mix it with water before incorporating it into your dish. The preparation method depends on the thickening agent used. For instance, to make a slurry, whisk equal parts of wheat flour and water and heat the mixture for several minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste. Cornstarch and arrowroot must also be dissolved in liquid, but they do not require cooking.
7. Other creamed soups
Other creamed soups make an excellent substitute for cream of chicken soup, depending on which flavor you prefer. For example, cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, cream of asparagus soup, cream of shrimp soup, or cream of potato soup are great choices.
It is essential to check the recipe ingredients since it might be necessary to reduce the amounts used. For instance, if your recipe uses mushrooms and you are replacing cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom soup, reduce the number of mushrooms.
When using another creamed soup as an alternative to cream of chicken soup, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, use 1 cup of creamed soup to replace 1 cup of cream of chicken soup. To adjust the flavor, add chicken broth or seasonings.
FAQs
Find out more information about cream of chicken soup:
Are cream of chicken soup and chicken soup the same thing?
No, cream of chicken soup and chicken broth are different dishes. Cream of chicken soup is a type of soup that has a creamy texture and is made with chicken broth, milk, and butter. Chicken soup is a different type of soup that is made with chicken broth and typically contains vegetables and noodles.
What is cream of chicken soup made of?
Cream of chicken soup is typically made of flour, butter, chicken stock, salt, and pepper. However, some add chicken pieces to enhance the chicken texture and flavor, along with vegetables like carrots, celery, leeks, and parsley to make the dish more filling.
Can I use milk instead of cream of chicken soup?
Yes, you can use milk instead of cream of chicken soup. But milk isn’t as thick as cream of chicken soup. You can fix this by mixing milk with butter or flour.
Closing thoughts
Cream of chicken soup is a versatile food that can be enjoyed on its own as a warm cream soup, used as a flavoring agent in other dishes, or used as a base for sauces, gravy, and other soups. But it’s not always readily available, which is why it’s essential to know good alternatives to cream of chicken soup.
While there are many substitutes for cream of chicken soup, the best one depends on what you are looking for. For instance, a thickening agent like arrowroot powder is a great vegan or dairy-free option, Greek yogurt is a healthy substitute, while water and flour work in an emergency.
What’s your favorite substitute for cream of chicken soup? Let us know in the comments below!