How to Substitute for a Can of Condensed Chicken Broth

By: Dan Ketchum

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Condensed chicken broth lends itself to all sorts of recipes, from sauces and sides to savory meat dishes. Chiefly, this pre-made product gives recipes a salty chicken flavor, so those are the key elements to look for in seeking a substitute. Thankfully, the simple ingredients of condensed chicken broth -- mostly water, chicken stock and salt -- make finding a suitable replacement a fairly painless task.

Step 1

Make your own condensed chicken broth in a pinch. Simply combine one part water with one part chicken stock, sold in boxes at most grocery stores. Add salt to taste if it's not on the stock's ingredient list. One cup of stock equals about one can of condensed chicken broth. Each recipe is different, so taste as you go; add more stock to the recipe to increase the chicken flavor as needed.

Step 2

Substitute bouillon for stock if you don't have chicken stock on hand. Add about one bouillon cube to a cup or can of water to stand in for a can of condensed chicken broth. Like chicken stock, making a broth from bouillon cubes won't greatly alter the taste or texture of your recipe, and this substitute lends itself to versatile dishes, such as as gravies, marinades, soups and stews.

Step 3

Use a can of non-condensed chicken broth, which may be easier to come by than the condensed variety. regular chicken broth is simply condensed chicken broth with more water, so if your recipe calls for water, cut down on the amount of water. Due to variations in recipes and how much water each brand of chicken broth contains, you'll have to rely on your taste and good judgment here -- add the broth first, then have a taste and add additional water as needed.