How to Make Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup

A condensed soup is merely a soup that needs something added first, such as water or milk, whereas a ready-to-eat soup just needs to be heated. Condensed cream soups are easy to find in cans, so why make your own? Some people have wheat allergies. Other people need to limit their salt intake. Still others take pride in cooking from scratch. Whatever your motivation, making your own condensed cream of chicken soup is quick, thrifty and easy.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cups powdered nonfat milk
• 3/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup instant chicken bouillon
• 2 tbsp. dried onion
• 1 tsp. dried basil
• 1 tsp. dried garlic
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1/4 cup chopped carrot
• 1/4 cup chopped mushrooms
• 1/4 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup cooked cubed chicken

Instructions

How to Make Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup

1. Combine milk, cornstarch, bouillon, onion, garlic, basil, thyme and pepper into a bowl.

2. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it. This mix serves as the basis for nine cans of condensed cream soup.

3. Add 1 1/4 cups water to a saucepan and heat on medium.

4. Add carrot, mushrooms and peas to the hot water and allow to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

5. Add chicken to pot, and allow to heat through.

6. Add 1/3 cup of the cream soup mix to simmering water and stir thoroughly until thickened.

Tips & Warnings

• Cook chicken breasts ahead of time, cube and measure out 1 cup of chicken per plastic baggie. Store and freeze until needed.

• Using 1/3 cup of cream soup mix as described is the equivalent of one can of condensed cream soup.

• Do you make your own homemade chicken stock? Leave out the chicken bouillon, and replace the water with your chicken stock.

• Don't like mushrooms, but you love celery? Do you prefer to use fresh herbs when you're cooking soup instead of using dry herbs in the mix? Amend this recipe to fit your family's palate.

References

• Utah State University Cooperative Extension