This Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup recipe is always what I make when my body is tired and achy or in a bad mood. The smell that fills my house as it cooks is so relaxing, and the taste of “from scratch” chicken soup makes it the best comfort food ever. There’s no bouillon or canned broth here folks, because this chicken soup is the real deal. But don’t worry, despite being made from scratch, this surprisingly simple and easy recipe makes the BEST homemade chicken noodle soup with very little hands-on time!.
Chicken noodle soup is a classic comfort food, but sometimes you run out of chicken broth and can’t make the soup. Check your pantry and fridge before you go to the store. You probably already have what you need to make a simple swap. If you’re creative, you can find a replacement that tastes just as good and doesn’t hurt the dish.
Why Chicken Broth is Used in Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken broth forms the base of chicken noodle soup, providing moisture, flavor, and saltiness. It’s seasoned with aromatics like onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and bay leaves, which all infuse the broth during simmering. The result is a savory, aromatic liquid that complements the chicken and noodles.
Broth is essential for getting that classic chicken noodle flavor. Without it the soup would be bland and dry. While homemade broth is ideal canned and boxed varieties work well too. But what if you don’t have any on hand? Don’t skip making soup – try one of these easy chicken broth substitutions.
9 Simple Substitutes for Chicken Broth in Soup
1. Vegetable or Beef Broth
Swap in an equal amount of vegetable or beef broth. It won’t taste exactly the same, but it will still be tasty. For a heartier flavor, use beef broth. To make it vegetarian, use vegetable broth. Add extra herbs and seasoning to taste.
2. Chicken Bouillon Cubes or Granules
As needed, mix one bouillon cube or one teaspoon of granules with one cup of water. This makes the chicken taste stronger, but it’s likely to be saltier than broth. Start by adding less salt to the recipe and then taste it.
3. Water
For a small amount of broth, use water. Chicken noodle soup needs the moisture. Add a pinch more seasoning to compensate for the blandness of water.
4. White Wine
A splash of white wine adds acidity and flavor. Too much wine makes it taste bad, so don’t use more than 1/2 cup per batch. Better for quick pan sauces than brothy soups.
5. Miso Paste
Whisk 1 tablespoon light miso into 1 cup hot water until dissolved. Add to the pot in the last 5 minutes so the beneficial probiotics aren’t destroyed. Provides umami flavor.
6. Mushroom Broth
Substitute mushroom broth 1:1 for chicken broth. It won’t have the same flavor, but adds an earthy, savory quality. Increase other seasonings to taste.
7. Butter and Water
For a richer flavor, melt 1 tablespoon butter into each cup of water. The fat carries flavor better than plain water. Helps emulsify pan sauces too.
8. Chicken Base or Broth Concentrate
Add concentrated chicken flavor back into the soup. Dilute to taste – start with less, you can always add more. Boosts savory chicken taste.
9. Ramen Flavor Packet
Reconstitute ramen flavor packets in hot water. They’re loaded with MSG, salt, and flavor. Dilute to taste and use in place of some broth.
Tips for the Best Substitute
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For brothy soups, stick to broth, stock, or bouillon swaps. Things like wine throw the flavor off balance.
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Dilute strong flavors like miso, bouillon, concentrates, and ramen packets. You can always add more but you can’t take it away.
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Without chicken broth, increase other seasonings like garlic, onion, herbs, salt, and pepper.
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Meat and extra veggies also add savory flavors. Cook chicken on the bone for more depth.
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For cream-based soups, milk, half and half, or cream make excellent substitutions.
With a simple swap, you can still enjoy chicken noodle soup even when you’re out of broth. Look beyond boring water and enhance the flavor with items you likely have on hand. A good chicken broth substitute helps you avoid a pointless trip to the store.
Tips for Making Chicken Noodle Soup More Flavorful
To make sure your homemade chicken noodle soup has the most flavor possible, follow these easy tips:
- Use bone-in chicken, not boneless. The bones give the broth a TON of flavor.
- Make sure your dried herbs are fresh. Check the dates on your dried herbs because they lose their flavor over time.
- Don’t rush it. The chicken, vegetables, and herbs in this soup taste best after being cooked slowly for a long time. Don’t worry, though; it doesn’t need much attention while it cooks.
- Don’t forget the salt. Salt doesn’t just make food taste “salty,” it also helps our tongues tell the difference between tastes. To get the most out of all those great flavors, make sure you salt the soup to your liking at the end.
Can I Use Rotisserie Chicken?
If you use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken, this chicken noodle soup recipe will be ready even faster. Before you start making the soup, take the chicken meat off the bones. Then, add the chicken carcass to the pot with the vegetables and simmer them together instead of the whole chicken breast. Remove the bones before adding the shredded chicken back at the end.
Or, instead of simmering the bones, you can use a pre-made chicken broth and simply add the shredded rotisserie chicken at the end. This is a super fast method for making chicken soup, but the flavor won’t be quite as amazing as making your own broth!.
9 Easy Chicken Broth Substitutes
FAQ
What can I use if I don’t have chicken broth for chicken noodle soup?
Vegetable Stock : A common substitute that provides a similar depth of flavor without the meat. Mushroom Stock : Offers a rich, umami flavor that can enhance many dishes, especially soups and risottos. Beef StockWater with SeasoningsBone BrothCoconut MilkWhite Wine or BeerHomemade Chicken Stock.
What is a good flavor substitute for chicken broth?
Vegetable broth is an excellent plant-based chicken broth substitute. While it lacks the richness of chicken broth, it offers a clean, fresh taste with its flavorful and nutritious liquid that works well in many dishes.
Can I substitute water for chicken broth in soup?
If your recipe calls for a small amount of broth for deglazing a pan or thinning out a soup, stew or sauce, try water instead in the same one-to-one ratio. Feb 3, 2025.
Can you make chicken noodle soup with water instead of broth?
In the easiest chicken soup, it’s water. And water would be fine here, but it’s just as easy, and only a little more expensive, to use chicken stock instead. In essence, you’re making stock with stock, since a basic chicken soup isn’t all that different from stock. The result is a broth that’s awash in chicken flavor.