Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe (2024)

by Stephanie on July 20, 2020 (Updated April 26, 2023)567*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

Servings: 2 cans

Tap or hover to scale

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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

How to make canned cream of chicken soup taste better? ›

More vegetables: This is a great place for leftover cooked veggies. If you are working with a creamed soup, consider pureeing some vegetables to stir in. Cooked cauliflower, potatoes, winter squash, or carrots would work really well. Herbs: Fresh chives, thyme, or cilantro stirred in just before serving.

Can you just eat cream of chicken soup by itself? ›

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 is the difference between condensed cream of chicken soup and regular 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.

What are the ingredients in Campbell's cream of chicken soup? ›

Chicken Stock, Modified Cornstarch, Vegetable Oil, Wheat Flour, Cream, Chicken Meat, Chicken Fat, Contains Less Than 2% Of: Salt, Whey, Dried Chicken, Monosodium Glutamate, Soy Protein Concentrate, Water, Yeast Extract, Natural Flavoring, Beta Carotene For Color, Soy Protein Isolate, Sodium Phosphate, Celery Extract, ...

How to doctor up canned chicken soup? ›

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.

How do you make canned soup taste like homemade? ›

Garlic and onions make everything tastier! While the soup is cooking on the stove, sautee onions and garlic, adding them into the soup towards the end of cooking. Or for an aromatic that'll give a refreshing flavor, add chopped ginger into the soup while it's still cooking, stirring it in to blend the flavors together.

Why does my cream chicken soup get watery? ›

Watery cream soups can come from a couple of different reasons. One of them is that the thickener that was utilized (be it a fat and flour roux or a liquid and flour or corn starch slurry) was inadequate. By inadequate I mean that there was not enough starch to hold the liquids in the desired thickened suspension.

Is cream of chicken soup good for illness? ›

Modern research has actually shown that chicken soup, more than other hot liquid, increases mucus flow and helps the body rid itself of the cold virus. Chicken is rich in an amino acid called cysteine which helps loosen secretions. This effect is increased by adding spices such as pepper and garlic.

How long does cream of chicken soup last in fridge? ›

Cream of chicken soup typically comes in a can, and if unopened, it can be stored in a cool, dry place for 1-2 years past the date printed on the can. Once opened, you should transfer any unused portions to a tightly sealed container and refrigerate. It should last for three to five days.

How can I thicken soup without cream of chicken? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

Why is it called cream of Chicken Soup? ›

'Cream of' originally meant not only pureed, but cream added, regardless of other ingredients - most modern shop bought versions will either have cream or a product of dairy origin added, which is why there are often warnings about lactose intolerance on 'cream of' soups.

Does cream of chicken have chunks of chicken 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.

What are the white specks in Campbell's cream of chicken soup? ›

A: The white specks are chicken fat. While we try to skim off all of the fat, it's difficult and we don't always get it all., but don't worry! The chicken fat will melt when heated and is safe to consume.

What are the thickening agent for cream soups? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute.

Are there eggs in cream of chicken soup? ›

Allergy Advice

Contains wheat gluten, cow's milk. May also contain egg.

How to improve Campbell's cream of mushroom soup? ›

There are several herbs and spices that can enhance the flavor of canned cream of mushroom soup. Popular options include thyme, rosemary, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and paprika. These additions can add depth and complexity to the soup's overall taste.

How do you make canned chicken broth taste like homemade? ›

Warm Spices

Cardamom pods, allspice berries, cumin, coriander, yellow mustard, fennel, and peppercorns are all fair game. Per quart of stock, toast any of those ingredients—check your pantry and pick two to four—in a dry pot until fragrant, then add the stock and simmer.

How do you make bland chicken soup taste better? ›

Add Umami: Add a teaspoon of toasted sesame oil, mushroom powder, or a few dashes of fish sauce for an ultra-satisfying, umami-packed soup. Add More Veggies: Swirl in fresh spinach or kale at the end of cooking for more of a vegetable-heavy soup.

References

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