Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe (2024)

by Stephanie on July 20, 2020 (Updated April 26, 2023)555*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

4.99 from 198 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 chicken cream soup made of? ›

Ingredients
  • 1 ½ cups chicken stock, divided.
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped onion.
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped.
  • ½ cup milk.
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
  • ¼ teaspoon chopped fresh parsley.
  • ⅛ teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning.
  • 1 pinch ground allspice.

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

Herbs: Fresh chives, thyme, or cilantro stirred in just before serving. Spices: Your soup is probably salty enough, but what about simmering a bay leaf in there for a while (don't forget to remove it before serving)? Depending on the soup's flavor profile, you could shake in some cumin or red pepper flakes.

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 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, ...

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.

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.

How can I thicken my cream of chicken soup? ›

Cornstarch is a great option as it is a natural thickening agent, but you'll want to be careful about how much you use. Start with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch whisked together with cold water to create a slurry. Then, gradually add the slurry to the soup, letting it boil for one to two minutes before adding more.

What thickens cream soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

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.

Is cream of chicken soup good for illness? ›

Compared with hot water alone, studies show chicken soup is more effective at loosening mucus. The herbs and spices sometimes used in chicken soup, such as pepper and garlic, also loosen mucus. The broth, which contains water and electrolytes, helps with rehydration.

Is Campbell's cream of chicken soup good? ›

Always in my pantry !

One of our favorite dinner recipes is chicken broccoli casserole, it tastes so delicious, one of the main ingredients is cream of chicken, it gives the perfect chicken creamy flavor to my dish! Campbell's always has the best soups ever! Best prices and delicious flavors.

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 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.

Are there eggs in cream of chicken soup? ›

Allergy Advice

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

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.

What is the difference between a stock soup and a cream soup? ›

Stock or broth is the basic ingredient in clear soups. Consommé is a rich, flavorful broth or stock that has been clarified. Cream soups are made with a thickener, such as roux. The main flavor in cream soups should be the major ingredient.

Do people eat plain cream of chicken soup? ›

How To Use Homemade Cream Of Chicken Soup. Again, this isn't so much a soup you would eat straight up, (though you could certainly use it as a base, add some veg and chicken and more broth and whip yourself up a creamy little soup bowl), but rather as that magical little something to add into casseroles and other bakes ...

Is cream of mushroom soup the same as cream of chicken soup? ›

The main difference is that cream of chicken is made of chicken stock, cream, and chicken meat, and cream of mushroom is a mix of mushrooms, cream, and garlic. This seems like an obvious answer, but it is the truth. They have very similar ingredients, with different main ingredients.

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