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Easy Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup (Better Than Canned, Perfect for Casseroles)

A close-up of a white bowl filled with creamy homemade cream of chicken soup, topped with shredded chicken, carrots, and herbs.
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You can make a rich, velvety smooth soup from scratch using simple pantry staples. This recipe replaces store-bought condensed soup and works perfectly as a base for your favorite chicken casseroles.

Ingredients

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  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
  • 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken breast
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup whole milk or half-and-half
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add the chopped onion and celery to the pan. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Whisk the flour into the butter mixture until a smooth paste (roux) forms. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  4. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring until it thickens slightly.
  5. Stir in the cooked, shredded chicken, milk, salt, pepper, and thyme.
  6. Continue to heat gently until the soup is hot throughout. Do not let it boil after adding the milk.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. You now have a rich and creamy soup ready to serve or use as a casserole base.

Notes

  • To make this recipe condensed for meal prep, reduce the chicken broth to 1 cup and the milk to 1/2 cup. Store the condensed base in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to use, combine the condensed base with 1 cup of water or milk and heat through.
  • For a velvethy smooth soup, you can use an immersion blender to briefly blend about one-third of the soup before adding the chicken back in.
  • This recipe is an essential chicken casserole base substitute for any recipe calling for canned soup.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenican.com/homemade-cream-of-chicken-soup/