Cream of Chicken Substitute

For the very best cream of chicken substitute, check out this all-inclusive list of easy swaps and alternatives that will work in any recipe! Many of these easy substitutes are common ingredients you likely have in your kitchen right now!

Best Cream of Chicken Substitutes

In the early 1930s, Campbell’s Soup perfected condensed canned soups like cream of mushroom and cream of chicken. Since then, it has been a kitchen staple in many households.

This staple became the base for favorite casseroles and has even made a name for itself in dishes like creamy enchiladas. Not to mention soups and sauces. It is truly the star of many families’ favorite dishes.

Jump to:

• Best Cream of Chicken Substitutes
• Reasons You May Need a Substitute for Cream of Chicken Soup
• Best Substitutes for Cream of Chicken Soup
• 1. Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 2. Any Creamy Soup
• 3. Heavy Cream
• 4. Full Fat Sour Cream
• 5. Sour Cream & Chicken Broth 
• 6. Plain Greek Yogurt
• 7. Plain Yogurt
• 8. Heavy Cream + Chicken Broth 
• 9. Milk & Chicken Broth
• 10. White Sauce
• 11. Coconut Milk & Chicken Broth
• Can I Use Chicken Broth as a Substitute?
• 📖 Recipe Card
• 💬 Reviews

Reasons You May Need a Substitute for Cream of Chicken Soup

If you have a favorite recipe that calls for cream of chicken soup, then you probably keep a can or two on hand. However, even the most prepared home chefs run into days when they are missing a key ingredient.

In addition, changes in diet can lead to the need for a substitute. While a creamy casserole made with cream of chicken soup may have been a favorite for years, dietary requirements often change.

If you or someone in your family has moved to a vegetarian or vegan diet, then cream of chicken soup is no longer an option.

Moreover, most cream of chicken soups are made with flour. Therefore, if you have a gluten intolerance, then you can no longer enjoy this creamy delight.

Whether it is a simple case of forgetting to pick up more soup or a more serious need like dietary restrictions, there are plenty of tasty substitutes for cream of chicken soup.

Best Substitutes for Cream of Chicken Soup

When it comes to substitutes for cream of chicken soup, you have an assortment to choose from. Some are super easy – just swap one cream of chicken soup for another creamy soup! Beyond the several other cream soups you can choose from, there are plenty of other non-soup substitutes.

Since the main reason cream of chicken soup is so popular is because of how easy it is to use, let’s first look at the other equally easy substitutes.

If you want something that provides a more exact flavor substitute, though, you can go ahead and scroll to the later choices. Don’t forget to look for the vegan and gluten-free choices offered throughout.

1. Cream of Mushroom Soup

If you’re like me, you may not have cream of chicken in the cupboard, but you do have an extra can of cream of mushroom.

Cream of mushroom soup has the same creamy texture as cream of chicken soup. The main difference being that is it has a richer and earthier flavor. Many people enjoy this umami flavor, though. It is also a delightful alternative to any recipe that originally calls for cream of chicken.

Due to the flour and cream used to make this soup, it is not a gluten-free or vegan-friendly option. However, it is a great choice for those who want to make a vegetarian dish.

Use cream of mushroom soup in a simple 1:1 exchange for cream of chicken soup.

2. Any Creamy Soup

Whether you are sticking with Campbell’s or have another favorite brand, there are plenty of other creamy soups beyond cream of chicken and mushroom. Any of these soups will provide the same creamy base needed for your recipe.

Most of these vegetarian options will also pair well with the other ingredients in your recipes. Especially vegetables, rice, potato, and chicken dishes. Each cream soup can also be used in an easy 1:1 exchange for homemade cream of chicken soup.

The main difference with any of these soups will be the slight difference in taste.

Cream of Celery 

Cream of celery has a lighter and brighter taste. It will create an overall lighter-tasting dish, while still offering the delicious creamy texture.   

Cream of Broccoli

Cream of broccoli has flecks of broccoli in it but does not have a distinctly strong broccoli taste. It is a good choice for a vegetable-based soup that is still quite savory.

Cream of Potato

Cream of potato soup has a more neutral taste than other soups. It is a great choice when you don’t want to drastically change the overall taste of the dish. The potato base will simply absorb the flavors around it while providing a creamy base.

3. Heavy Cream

If your goal is a rich and creamy texture, then heavy cream will get you there. Heavy cream is a great vegetarian and gluten-free option since it naturally thickens when heated. Therefore, there is no need to add an extra thickener.

This will work well in most recipes where the goal of the cream of chicken soup is to create a rich, creamy base. While it will not add the chicken flavor, it will absorb the other flavors around it. This makes it a great choice for those who don’t want to add additional flavors to the dish.

Use in a 1:1 substitution for cream of chicken soup.

4. Full Fat Sour Cream

Another tasty option that is super simple is sour cream. This is an especially yummy option for Mexican-inspired dishes like creamy chicken enchiladas.

Like heavy cream, it will not provide the chicken flavor but will take on other flavors around it. You can elevate this by adding some additional seasonings, such as garlic and onion powder. Don’t forget about the basics like salt and pepper, too.

Sour cream may be too thick for an exact substation. Start with ½ cup of sour cream for every 1 cup of soup. If you feel like it is not creamy enough, add more (up to a 1:1 exchange). 

5. Sour Cream & Chicken Broth 

If you want the savory taste of the chicken, you can elevate the sour cream with a little bit of chicken broth. Simply mix ½ cup of sour cream with ½ to 1 cup of chicken broth (depending on how much flavor you want and the desired consistency).

Once you’ve mixed the sour cream and broth, measure it out in a 1:1 substitution for the cream of chicken soup.

6. Plain Greek Yogurt

If you don’t have sour cream on hand but happen to have some plain Greek yogurt, grab that! The full-fat version will work best for the thickness.

Greek yogurt is quite a bit tangier than cream of chicken soup (even more so than sour cream). Therefore, it may not work in every recipe. However, if you don’t mind a brighter and lighter taste, this is a beautiful (and healthy) substitute for cream of chicken soup.

In addition, you can mix it with a bit of chicken broth for another gluten-free substitution that still has a bit of the rich chicken flavor.

Since Greek Yogurt is quite thick, begin with ½ as much as the recipe calls for. Just like sour cream, add more if needed. If adding chicken broth, follow the same directions for sour cream above.

7. Plain Yogurt

Do you prefer to buy plain yogurt over Greek yogurt? That can also work! Just make sure it is plain and unsweetened.

The consistency of yogurt will vary from brand to brand. Therefore, it is best to start with half the amount the recipe calls for in cream of chicken soup. Then, add more if needed.

8. Heavy Cream + Chicken Broth 

Speaking of adding chicken broth to other ingredients, this is also an option with heavy cream. This adds an extra step to the simple substitute mentioned earlier, but it can be worth it.

Adding chicken broth elevates the taste and brings about a richer flavor. You can even add a bit of melted butter to increase the savory flavor profile. 

Mix equal parts heavy cream and chicken broth. Use the mixture in a 1:1 substitution in any recipe. If you want to add butter, use about 1 tablespoon for every cup of liquid (½ cup heavy cream + ½ cup chicken broth + 1 tablespoon butter).

To further enhance the flavor, add some seasoning to taste: onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

9. Milk & Chicken Broth

While not everyone keeps heavy cream in the fridge, a little bit of milk is often in the fridge. Moreover, you may have an extra can or carton of chicken broth in the pantry. Therefore, you can do a quick mixture to use as a substitute.

As with the heavy cream, mix equal parts milk and chicken broth. Whole milk or 2% will work best for consistency. You can also add butter and spices if you’d like to.

The main thing to consider if using this alternative is the thickness of the substitution. It will be quite a bit thinner than cream of chicken soup.

While this will work for many recipes, you may consider adding a thickening agent. Simply add a small amount of flour or cornstarch (to keep it gluten-free) before adding it to your recipe.

10. White Sauce

If you are already going to take the step of adding a thickening agent, you might want to go ahead and create a rich and savory white sauce to use. A white sauce is super easy to make. It also allows you to make some choices that can make it vegan and gluten-free.

• ¼ cup flour (all-purpose, whole wheat, gluten-free)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup milk of choice (heavy cream, half and half, regular milk, plant-based milk)

Melt butter in a skillet or saucepan. Add flour and stir quickly until all the flour is absorbed into the butter. Slowly add your milk of choice while whisking quickly. Continue to slowly add milk while whisking to get lumps out. If it is too thick, add more milk.

This substitution is a great choice because most of us have all these things at home. Therefore, you can easily whip this up and use it as needed in your recipe.

In addition to a simple white sauce, you can add additional flavor. If you have chicken broth, use ½ cup chicken broth and ½ cup milk (instead of 1 cup milk). Add seasonings of choice at the end.

A white sauce is great for casseroles and pasta sauces. Once it is made, it can be used in a 1:1 substitution for cream of chicken soup.

11. Coconut Milk & Chicken Broth

If you follow a dairy-free diet but not a vegan diet, then coconut milk and chicken broth are a good substitute for cream of chicken soup. The thickness of coconut milk provides a wonderful and rich base. The chicken broth offers a savory flavor.

One thing to remember any time you use coconut milk (or other plant-based milk) is that the overall flavor of your recipe will be altered.

While coconut milk has a distinct flavor, it still pairs well with a lot of foods. This includes many foods that are found in recipes with cream of chicken soup: chicken, cheese, rice, potatoes, and vegetables.

Mix coconut milk (unsweetened and canned) with chicken broth in equal parts: ½ cup coconut milk with ½ cup broth. Measure in a 1:1 exchange for cream of chicken soup in your recipe.

If you want a fully vegan choice, use vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth.

Can I Use Chicken Broth as a Substitute?

If you have a recipe that calls for cream of chicken soup, it is most likely more for the creamy texture than the chicken flavor. Therefore, while chicken broth will give you a rich chicken taste, it is much too thin to give you a creamy texture.

You will be better off choosing one of the thick and creamy substitutes above than using chicken broth on its own.

Cooking Substitutes	Herb & Spice Substitutes	Baking Substitutes
Apple Cider Vinegar	Bay Leaf	Tapioca Starch
Sesame Oil	Rosemary (Fresh & Dried)	Cornmeal
Marsala Wine	Turmeric	Potato Starch
Dijon Mustard	Celery Salt	Coconut Sugar
Horseradish	Tarragon	Buttermilk
Red Wine Vinegar	Cardamom	Brown Sugar
Masa Harina	Paprika	Arrowroot Powder
Cream Cheese	Chili Powder	Cornflour
Creme Fraiche	Cilantro	Shortening
Worcestershire Sauce		Vanilla Extract
Shallots		Lemon Extract

Any of these simple cream-of-chicken substitute ideas will help you complete your dish, and everyone will be none the wiser! Tell us all about what you're making and what substitute you chose in the comments!

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