Have you ever wondered: can you substitute cream of chicken for cream of mushroom? Do not worry! Find out the answer to this question and everything else you need to know about substituting cream of chicken for cream of mushroom in this article.
Cream of chicken and cream of mushroom are staples when it comes to cooking. They are used in soups, pasta, roast, casseroles, and many other recipes. But can you substitute them?
Yes, you can substitute cream of chicken for cream of mushroom. They are similar in texture and taste, so it is an easy substitution.
What are cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soups?
Cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soups are used as simple ingredients in dishes. They are commonly used in slow cooker meals, as you can pour a can on top of any type of meat and let it cook for a few hours. Allowing the soup to marinate the meat creates a creamy, moist dish that everyone will love.
These cream soups are used in a variety of recipes and should be kept in the pantry. You never know when you need to whip up a casserole for someone and these soups are a great ingredient to make a creamy dish like our gluten free green bean casserole.
Trust me, they are a lifesaver. And if you want to go a little fancier, this mushroom sauce for steak is a great option.
There are plenty of “cream of” soups out there so there will be an option for everyone. You can always have homemade cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soups. These creamy soups are easy to make.
What is the difference between cream of chicken and cream of mushroom?
The main difference is that cream of chicken is made of chicken stock, cream, and chicken meat, and cream of mushroom is a mix of mushrooms, cream, and garlic. This seems like an obvious answer, but it is the truth. They have very similar ingredients, with different main ingredients.
A can of cream of chicken soup is great in chicken-based recipes, like chicken casserole. It really complements the chicken flavor of a dish and is a great option to make a creamy chicken dish.
A can of cream of mushroom soup is used in crowd-favorite casseroles, like green bean casserole. It has more of an earthy flavor to it, thanks to the mushrooms. You can eat it by itself, but it works best with different casseroles, meat dishes, and gravy.
Cream of chicken soup actually has more iron, copper, and monounsaturated fat than a can of cream of mushroom soup does. Cream of mushroom soup has less sodium content than cream of chicken. So if you are needing a healthier substitute when it comes to sodium, check out cream of mushroom soup rather than cream of chicken.
What recipes can you use these canned soups in?
You would be surprised how many recipes call for cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom soup. Both should be a common pantry staple for how often they are called for. You will often find them in soup recipes and casseroles.
Some of our recipes that use cream of chicken soup are our gluten-free funeral potatoes and our easy tater tot casserole. Other recipes that use condensed soup are beef stroganoff, meatloaf, chicken pot pie, pastas, and curry. Some of your favorite recipes may use these soups.
Are cream of chicken soup and cream of mushroom soup gluten-free?
Not always. It all depends on the brand. Campbells, which is usually the most common brand for canned soup, actually does not have any soups that are gluten-free.
Both Campbell’s cream of mushroom of cream of chicken contains wheat flour, therefore, making it not gluten-free. Wheat flour is used as a thickening agent, giving these ingredients their creamy texture. There are gluten-free options though.
One way to avoid a gluten exposure is to make homemade cream of mushroom soup or homemade cream of chicken soup. That way, you will know exactly what is in your food. We have a great recipe for a super creamy gluten free cream of chicken soup and gluten free cream of mushroom soup that you should try out.
Our cream of chicken soup is easy to make and only calls for a few ingredients. It takes a total of 15 minutes and really is easy to throw together. We just chicken broth, milk, and corn starch to get that creamy texture.
There are also gluten-free versions of cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soups that make for the best substitute when it comes to gluten-free cooking. You can usually find them in grocery stores. Walmart’s Great Value brand offers gluten-free cream of chicken soup and so does Pacific Foods, Proper Good, Vivian’s Live Again, and Mom’s Place.
What are other substitutions for cream of chicken soup?
A cream of chicken soup substitute (or cream of mushroom soup substitute) is fairly easy to find, as there are many options. The most important thing to think of though is thinking about the recipe you are making before you decide. For example, a can of cream of broccoli soup is not a seamless substitute because it will have that broccoli flavor.
If you are wanting a yummy broccoli-flavored soup, check out our Instant Pot broccoli cheddar soup. It is super creamy and perfect for a chilly day. We also have our Instant Pot chicken noodle soup.
We have a ton of Instant Pot soup recipes that are perfect for busy weeknights and quick meals. At my house, I know we are always running around to the next event, so quick and easy meals are key.
Some other options are cream of celery soup, cream of potato soup, cream of shrimp soup, and cream of asparagus soup. With these options, you will surely be able to find a substitution that works best for the recipe you are making.
You can also try out a cup of sour cream. One cup of sour cream is equivalent to one can of cream of chicken soup. For a little extra flavor, try adding some chicken broth or vegetable broth with sour cream.
Plain Greek yogurt is also a good substitute. Greek yogurt is actually a healthier option, so if you are looking for something healthier, that may be the way to go. Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute for sour cream often, as long as it is plain Greek yogurt.
If you do not have a ton of ingredients at home, you can also use cornstarch. It is a thickening agent that will do the job. It will not have as much flavor, so make sure you add seasonings to it if you decide to go the cornstarch route.
Cream cheese is also an option that can give similar results to cream of chicken soup depending on what seasonings you decide to use. Adding chicken broth to the cream cheese is important to water down the cream cheese a bit and to have that chicken-forward flavor.
Is there a dairy-free option?
There are dairy-free options for cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup that you can buy at the store. It may be a little harder to find, but there are options. You can also make your own soup by using coconut milk or another milk alternative to avoid dairy products, making the recipe dairy-free.
Why would you need to substitute cream of chicken for cream of mushroom?
The first (and most obvious answer) is that you do not have cream of chicken in the house, but you have cream of mushroom. Another reason is if someone is vegetarian. Going the cream of mushroom route allows for the person who is vegetarian to enjoy the meal as well.
Can’t I just use chicken broth?
The difference between chicken broth and cream of chicken soup is that cream of chicken soup creates a creamy soup or a richer dish. Cream of chicken soup really is the best option if you are wanting a creamy, thick dish.
Can you eat these soups plain?
Absolutely. All you have to do is pour it in a bowl and microwave it for a minute or so. Make sure you cover the bowl with a lid or paper towel. Heat up for a minute, then stir. Repeat until you reach the desired temperature. You can also warm up the soup on the stovetop. Allow it to warm on medium heat and stir frequently.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Yes, you can substitute cream of mushroom soup for a recipe that calls for cream of chicken soup. Both are equally creamy and will add tasty flavors to whatever dish you are making.
