I know it’s a popular thing to hate on “cream of” soups. This is not a hate post. It is merely a way to avoid spending a lot of money on cream soups if that’s what you want to do. For reference, a can of cream of chicken soup is 10.5 oz or 1 1/4 c. and has 300 calories. Both of these alternatives seek to replicate that flavor and versatility without being overly complicated.
Option 1: Dry Mix
This dry soup mix is not only simple, it’s cheap! It’s also more flavorful than canned cream of chicken soup. Use it whenever you’d need a can of condensed soup.
Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Makes about 9 cans (or so) of condensed soup.
2 c. powdered milk
3/4 c. cornstarch
1/4 c. chicken granules
1 1/2 t. garlic powder
1 1/2 t. onion powder
1/2 t. pepper
2 t. parsley
To make one “can”, use 1 1/2 T. butter, 1/3 c. mix, and 1 1/4 c. water. Heat on the stove over medium heat until thickened, using a whisk to stir out any lumps. It won’t be as thick as the stuff straight from the can, but it works great for casseroles!
Option 2: White Sauce
This version isn’t as easy, but the flavor is better.
With the heat off, whisk the flour and broth together, adding the liquid gradually to avoid lumps.
1/4 c. flour
3/4 c. chicken broth
Add the remaining ingredients and heat the sauce, whisking until it thickens.
1 1/2 T. butter
3/4 c. milk
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. parsley
1/8 t. pepper
1/4 t. garlic powder
1/4 t. onion powder
Bonus: If you cooked chicken for a recipe, you can use the broth from it to make the cream of chicken soup.


Cream of Chicken Soup: 2 Alternatives
Ingredients
The Dry Mix
- 2 cups powdered milk
- 3/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup chicken broth powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoons pepper
- 2 teaspoons parsley
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup dry mix
- 1 1/4 cups water
The White Sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup milk whole
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon parsley
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
The Dry Mix
- Mix all the dry ingredients together and store in an airtight container.2 cups powdered milk, 3/4 cup cornstarch, 1/4 cup chicken broth powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder, 1/2 teaspoons pepper, 2 teaspoons parsley
- To make one "can", heat butter, mix, and water over medium heat, stirring until thickened.1 1/2 tablespoons butter, 1/3 cup dry mix, 1 1/4 cups water
The White Sauce
- With the heat off, whisk the flour and chicken broth in a saucepan, adding the liquid gradually to avoid lumps.1/4 cup flour, 3/4 cup chicken broth
- Add the remaining ingredients and heat the sauce, whisking until it thickens.1 1/2 tablespoons butter, 3/4 cup milk, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon parsley, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder