How to Make Homemade Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
Don’t have a can of cream of chicken soup on hand?
If you’re following a recipe that calls for cream of chicken soup, yet there isn’t one in your pantry – no worries! You can easily make your own homemade version of canned soup by creating a thickened roux from butter, flour, chicken broth, cream, and a few spices. This cooking tip will save ya a trip to the store, and it’s EASIER than you’d expect and healthier, too.
The result is a creamy flavorful from-scratch version of a condensed can of cream of chicken soup to use in your favorite comforting recipes!
Here’s a 10-minute kitchen hack that works perfectly!
I tested it out recently when I wanted to make my favorite 5 ingredient chicken pot pie recipe and realized my store didn’t have any condensed cream of chicken soup. I then went to work coming up with a substitution… and guess what?! My chicken pot pie came out perfect!
I’m excited to share this easy stove-top method with you!
A few tips to keep in mind when making cream of chicken soup:
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- I was surprised at how well it thickens up after simmering and whisking on the stove, but if yours is still not getting thick enough, whisk in a little additional all-purpose flour.
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- Want to make cream of mushroom soup instead? Add 1/2 a cup of finely chopped cooked mushrooms to this base. You could also instead add 1/2 a cup of chopped cooked celery for cream of celery condensed soup.
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- Want recipe ideas on how to use your homemade can of cream chicken soup? Consider trying our Smothered Slow Cooker Pork Chops, Cheesy Chicken Noodle Soup, Chicken Zucchini Casserole, and this Cheesy Chicken, Bacon & Rice Casserole.
Cream of Chicken Soup
prep time: 5 MINUTES
cook time: 10 MINUTES
total time: 15 MINUTES
Here's a creamy flavorful substitute for a can of condensed cream of chicken soup in recipes.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 1/2 tablespoons dried onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
Directions
1
To a saucepan on the stove, melt butter on medium/low heat. Whisk in the flour.
2
Stir in the chicken broth and whisk for a minute until smooth. Add the milk and cream.
3
Stir in the onion powder, garlic, celery salt, salt, and pepper. Keep stirring for about 3 minutes and things will start thickening. Let cool, and it will thicken even more.
4
Use as desired in a recipe or pour into a container with lid and keep in the fridge for up to a week.
Additional Notes
Recipe adapted from Food.com.
Now you have a batch of homemade cream of chicken condensed soup!
I also love this idea for another reason. You can customize the seasonings and make it your own. Sometimes I feel like the cans can be super salty, and making it at home allows you to customize that part.
Speaking of cans, I’ve noticed EASY Instant Pot recipes popping up on the back of Cambell’s soup cans recently, and those are the kind I especially like! I noticed this yummy-sounding Instant Pot Chicken and Rice one while photographing it.
I think I’ll try it for dinner soon using my homemade version of condensed soup! Yum!
Here’s what my Hip Sidekick Jenna had to say after making this recipe:
“So fun and so easy to make! I know there’ve been a few times where I went to make a recipe that called for a can of cream of chicken soup and I was out. It never once occurred to me that I could make it on my own. I love the flavor of this! The celery salt really put it over the top for the perfect flavor. This was such an easy process and it really works!”
Thank you so much Lina! I can’t count how many times I’ve needed cream of chicken soup for a recipe and have been out. This will be a game changer for me.
Oh yay! This works great- enjoy! Thanks for stopping by!
I do this when I make chicken pie – SO GOOD! I was glad when I found a homemade version on Pinterest several years ago. Sometimes I even use “homemade” chicken broth (I toss a bunch of water and salt and seasonings into the crockpot with my chicken breasts while they cook.)
Oh I love that! Great tip! Thanks 🙂
Can this be frozen? I’d love to make this with my leftover heavy cream. I’ve been making butter left and right 😄
I’m fairly certain that I’ve frozen mine before and it turned out fine. I just sat it on the counter to thaw during the day until I needed it at dinner time.
I make this all the time! So easy and so much better. You can also try adding dill weed, marjoram or parsley for the spices, depending on the dish you are making. For my cream of mushroom, I also sauté onions with the mushrooms first.
Oh that all sounds awesome! Thanks Blue for sharing 💕
Thanks so much for this recipe. Although I live in sunny CA, our winters can get cold and dreary and a hot casserole with cream of chicken, mushroom or chicken will definitely be on the menu. This recipe is a great addition to my repertoire.
Oh yay, Stella! Yes, I agree even in Phoenix I love a good casserole in the fall/winter <3
I can’t wait to try this!! I used to cook a lot of our family favorites with Campbell’s cream of chicken soup up until the day I was diagnosed with celiac disease. I will substitute with gluten free all purpose flour. Fingers crossed it works just as well!!
I think that’s a great plan!
Wish I could use this in a pinch, but I never have cream on hand so I’d have to plan ahead anyway. Looks delish though.
You could probably improvise with milk if you have some. 👍
I use this recipe from Berly’s kitchen as I don’t usually have cream on hand. It’s fast, easy, and delicious! 5 minutes COOK TIME 15 minutes TOTAL TIME 20 minutes Ingredients 1/2 cup milk 1/4 cup All Purpose Flour 3/4 cup chicken broth 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder Salt and pepper to taste Dash of paprika Instructions In a small bowl, whisk together milk and flour. Be sure to break up any lumps. In a medium saucepan, combine broth, spices, salt, and pepper. Allow to come to a simmer on low-medium heat. Whisk the broth and slowly add the milk and flour mixture. Continue to whisk for 2-3 minutes until mixture begins to thicken. Remove from heat and allow to cool. The mixture will continue to thicken as it cools. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Thanks for sharing!
I have been looking for a homemade recipe to make cream of mushroom soup so I will have to try this. Thanks!
I’m wondering if there is another thickening agent instead of wheat flour,? I have some who are gluten free.
Try gluten-free flour, or rice flour. I looked up a few GF versions that call for that instead.