Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup: A Wholesome, Versatile Alternative to Canned Varieties

Are you ready to elevate your home cooking with a healthier, more flavorful foundational ingredient? This homemade Cream of Chicken Soup is a game-changer, offering a delicious alternative to its canned counterparts. What makes it truly exceptional is the absolute control you gain over the ingredients and, crucially, the sodium levels. For those who prioritize clean eating without sacrificing the comforting flavors of home, mastering this simple recipe is an essential step towards more wholesome and satisfying meals.

Why Choose Homemade Over Canned?

Many popular comfort food recipes call for condensed cream of chicken soup, but the store-bought versions often come packed with excessive sodium, artificial ingredients, and preservatives. Opting for homemade not only eliminates these concerns but also allows you to tailor the flavor profile to your exact preferences. You can adjust the seasoning to match your dietary needs, whether you’re aiming for a low-sodium diet or avoiding certain additives. This flexibility ensures that every dish you create is not just tasty but also genuinely good for you and your family.

My absolute favorite application for this homemade cream of chicken soup is in my Creamy Chicken Enchilada Casserole with Mexican Street Corn Topper. It binds the entire dish together beautifully, imparting a rich, savory depth that canned soup simply can’t replicate. By using whole, fresh ingredients in this foundational component, I ensure that my family enjoys a cleaner, more nutritious meal, even when indulging in a comforting classic. While it adds a small extra step to the cooking process, the superior taste and health benefits make it undeniably worth the effort.

The Versatility of Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup

Beyond enchiladas, this condensed cream of chicken soup serves as a remarkably versatile base for countless recipes. Think creamy casseroles like green bean casserole, tuna noodle casserole, or even a hearty chicken pot pie filling. It’s excellent for enriching gravies, thickening sauces, or adding a creamy texture to your favorite slow cooker creations. Having a batch of this homemade staple on hand means you’re always prepared to transform simple ingredients into extraordinary, comforting meals.

This recipe isn’t just about recreating a common ingredient; it’s about reclaiming control over what goes into your food. It’s about ensuring that every spoonful contributes to a wholesome and delicious dining experience. The best tip I can offer for boosting its flavor is to incorporate my secret weapon: roasted garlic powder. Unlike regular garlic powder, roasted garlic powder offers a deeper, sweeter, and more complex aromatic profile, adding an incredible richness to the soup.

Ingredients for a Flavorful Base

Crafting this simple yet powerful kitchen staple requires just a few key ingredients. Each plays a vital role in achieving that perfect creamy texture and rich, savory flavor. The beauty of homemade is that you can adjust quantities to taste, making it truly yours.

• Chicken Broth: Forms the essential liquid base. Opt for a high-quality, low-sodium broth to maintain control over the salt content.
• Poultry Herbs: A blend of herbs like sage, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram that lend a classic, aromatic “chicken” flavor. Fresh herbs are always preferred for a brighter taste.
• Roasted Garlic Powder: My secret ingredient! It provides a mellow, sweet, and deeply savory garlic flavor without the sharpness of raw garlic.
• Onion Powder: Adds a foundational layer of savory onion flavor without the texture of fresh onions.
• Paprika: Contributes a subtle warmth and a lovely color. Smoked paprika can add an extra dimension of flavor.
• Black Pepper: Essential for a hint of spice and overall balance.
• Salt: Kosher salt is recommended for its pure flavor and ease of control, allowing you to season to your exact preference.
• All-purpose Flour: The thickening agent, creating the classic “cream of” consistency. For a gluten-free alternative, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend or cornstarch slurry.
• Milk: Adds creaminess and richness. Whole milk works best for a decadent result, but you can use lower-fat milk or even a dairy-free alternative like unsweetened almond milk for dietary adjustments.

📖 Recipe: Homemade Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup

Homemade Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cup Chicken Broth
• 1 tablespoon Poultry Herbs, fresh (or 1.5 tsp dried)
• 1 teaspoon Roasted Garlic Powder
• ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
• ½ teaspoon Paprika
• ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
• ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
• ½ cup All-Purpose Flour
• 1 cup Milk

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the chicken broth, poultry herbs, roasted garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and kosher salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the herbs and spices to “bloom” and release their full flavors. This brief simmering process deeply infuses the broth with the aromatic seasonings.
2. While the broth is simmering, prepare your thickening slurry. In a small bowl, whisk together the milk and all-purpose flour until the mixture is completely smooth and free of any lumps. A fork or a small whisk works perfectly for this step. Ensuring a smooth slurry is key to preventing lumps in your finished soup.
3. Once the broth has simmered, slowly pour the milk and flour mixture into the simmering broth. It’s crucial to whisk the broth continuously as you pour the slurry to incorporate it evenly and prevent any clumping. Keep whisking vigorously until all the milk and flour mixture has been added.
4. Continue to stir and cook the soup over medium heat. The mixture will gradually begin to bubble and thicken, transforming into a rich, creamy consistency. This process typically takes about 4-5 minutes. Keep stirring to prevent the soup from sticking to the bottom of the pan and ensure even thickening.
5. Once the soup has reached your desired thickness, remove it from the heat. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding additional salt and pepper to suit your preference. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it out!
6. This condensed cream of chicken soup can be used immediately in your favorite recipes. If not using right away, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to a week and a half. Note that the soup will thicken further as it cools.
7. For longer storage, freeze the cooled soup. Store it in freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags. It can be frozen for up to 3-4 months. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight or gently reheat from frozen, stirring frequently.

Notes

To make future meal prep even easier, let the soup cool completely and then portion it into ziplock bags or ice cube trays in the quantities you typically use. Freeze until solid, then transfer the cubes to a larger freezer bag. This makes it incredibly convenient to grab just the right amount whenever a recipe calls for cream of chicken soup.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

1/2 cup (approx 120ml)

Amount Per Serving:
Unsaturated Fat: 0g

Did you make this recipe?

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More Delicious Recipes to Explore

If you enjoyed making this versatile soup base, you’ll love exploring some of my other favorite recipes designed to bring flavor and comfort to your table:

• Saffron Chicken and Mushrooms
• Arroz con Gandules
• Pumpkin Seed Granola
• Greek Lamb Burgers

And for even more kitchen inspiration, don’t forget to check out my NEW e-Cookbook here! It’s packed with simple, flavorful meals designed for your busy weeknights.

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My Essential Kitchen Tools and Recommendations

Equipping your kitchen with the right tools can truly transform your cooking experience, making meal preparation more efficient and enjoyable. Think of it like a personal endorsement from me to you—as if Oprah herself were handing out fabulous kitchen gear! Here are a few of my absolute favorite tools that have become indispensable in my culinary adventures. These aren’t just gadgets; they’re investments in your cooking joy.

These Rösle Silicone Tongs are indeed an investment, but one that will last a lifetime. Their superior build quality and comfortable silicone grips make them a pleasure to use, even during extensive cooking sessions. For someone who spends as much time in the kitchen as I do, reducing hand strain is crucial, and these tongs deliver. I personally own four sets, ensuring I always have one within reach for everything from turning ingredients to whisking this very soup base!

My top recommendation for baking and roasting are these Nordic Ware Sheet Pans. Every home kitchen should ideally have at least two sets of these workhorses. Their even heat distribution and durability are unmatched, making them perfect for roasting vegetables, baking cookies, or preparing sheet pan dinners. I have at least four of each size because they are so incredibly versatile.

This Fagor pressure cooker is my go-to for incredibly fast and tender meals. It operates on the same brilliant concept as the popular “Instant Pot” but, in my experience, offers a more intuitive and user-friendly design. If you don’t already own a pressure cooker, this is an absolute must-have; it will quickly become your best friend in the kitchen, drastically cutting down cooking times for everything from stews to beans.

A truly sharp knife is the single most important tool in any kitchen, directly impacting your safety and efficiency. These Japanese steel “Shun” knives are my favorite for their exceptional sharpness, balance, and edge retention. This particular set is a fantastic foundation to start building your collection. Once you experience the precision and ease of a Shun knife, you’ll understand why it’s worth the investment for years of superior performance.

The Scanpan 11″ skillet is just the right size for almost any cooking task, truly a versatile workhorse in my kitchen. At a great value, Scanpan stands out globally for healthy cooking. Its proprietary ceramic titanium coating is incredibly durable and allows you to cook with significantly less fat and oil, making your meals healthier without compromising flavor. I could rave about these pans all day! If you’re looking to upgrade your cookware, consider their 8″ & 10″ Skillet set or the individual 8″ Skillet. As someone who loves to cook in larger batches, the 12.5″ skillet is another absolute favorite.

For high-quality cooking oil, this giant vat of delicious olive oil is my top pick. I simply decant it into a more manageable smaller bottle for easy access on my counter. Alternatively, you can fit this handy spigot onto the top of an empty wine bottle for convenient pouring.

The Tovolo jar scraper has to be my single most cherished and frequently used kitchen tool. If you’re someone who isn’t keen on accumulating gadgets, this is the one essential I wholeheartedly recommend, right alongside a good wooden spoon. It excels at getting every last bit out of jars and bowls, reducing waste and simplifying cleanup.

A reliable wooden spoon is absolutely essential in any kitchen, and this elegant Olive Wood option is my personal favorite. Its natural beauty and durability make it a joy to use. While I admit to owning more than I can count, can you truly ever have too many versatile wooden spoons?

For precise measurements, a food scale is an incredibly valuable tool in your kitchen, especially for baking or portion control. This particular model is the one I rely on daily for its accuracy and ease of use.

If you adore Joanna Gaines as much as I do, then the ‘Magnolia Table Cookbook’ is an absolute must-have for your kitchen collection. Get your copy HERE!

Finally, enhance your mason jars with this fantastic product: the Ergo Spout. It ingeniously transforms any standard mason jar into a pourable pitcher, perfect for liquids. Get yours here! I particularly love using it to store my homemade salad dressings in the refrigerator, keeping them fresh and easy to pour.