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The Ultimate Scratch Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup (Quick & Condensed Options Included)

A spoonful of steaming homemade cream of chicken soup showing long strings of melted cheese and shredded chicken.
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Ditch the can and make this superior, rich and creamy homemade cream of chicken soup from scratch. It uses simple pantry staples and is perfect for weeknight dinners or as a casserole substitute.

Ingredients

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  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup whole milk or half-and-half
  • 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken breast
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Whisk in the flour, salt, pepper, thyme, and garlic powder. Cook this roux for one minute, stirring constantly.
  3. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps.
  4. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring often. Let it cook for about 2 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  5. Stir in the milk and the cooked, shredded chicken. Heat through until the soup is hot, but do not let it boil once the milk is added.
  6. Remove from heat. Stir in the heavy cream, if using.
  7. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, or proceed to condense if desired.

Notes

  • To make a condensed version for casseroles or freezing, reduce the chicken broth to 1 cup and omit the milk entirely. After thickening the roux with the 1 cup of broth, stir in the cooked chicken and 1/2 cup of milk/half-and-half. This creates a thicker base similar to canned soup.
  • For a freezer-friendly batch, cool the soup completely before storing it in airtight containers. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of extra milk or broth if it seems too thick.
  • You can use store-bought rotisserie chicken for the shredded chicken to save time on weeknights.

Nutrition

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