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There’s nothing more comforting than a delicious soup recipe on a chilly day, and so many of them start with the same simple ingredient: chicken broth. It's one of the best pantry staples—Ree Drummond always has a few cartons or cans on hand. But what if you’re all set to make your recipe, your veggies are already chopped and in the pot, and you reach into the pantry to find out that you don’t have any chicken broth on hand? Fear not, because there are some easy chicken broth substitutes to help you make your favorite stews and instant pot soups, like French Onion Potato Soup and Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup.
Chicken broth isn’t just for making soup either: You can use it to deglaze a skillet and make a yummy pan sauce, or chicken broth can be a flavorful braising liquid for meats like Ree's garlicky Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs. Of course, you can make your own broth, but you'll need a good couple of hours to do it—not exactly a quick solution. Don't worry: These chicken broth substitutes will save you! Before you run out to the grocery store or scratch the whole thing and order takeout, read on to find a chicken broth swap that you already have in your kitchen.
1
Chicken Broth Substitute: Vegetable Broth
This one is a no-brainer: Just use another kind of broth! Vegetable broth is an easy substitute for chicken broth—it has a very similar flavor and color.
2
Chicken Broth Substitute: Water
You're sure to have this on hand! 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. You may want to add a few more seasonings like salt, pepper, or dried herbs to get the full flavor the chicken broth would provide. If you're making a brothy soup though, like chicken noodle soup, water is not the best substitute.
3
Chicken Broth Substitute: Chicken Bouillon Cubes
Check the back of your pantry: If you’re lucky, you might already have some chicken bouillon cubes that you can use as a chicken broth substitute. These little powdered wonders will dissolve in hot water and provide a very similar flavor to chicken broth. Just remember that they're likely saltier than your usual chicken broth, so taste for seasonings before you add more salt.
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4
Chicken Broth Substitute: White Wine
If your recipe calls for ½ cup chicken broth or less, dry white wine is an easy and flavorful substitute. It will add a slightly acidic flavor and it's great for when you need to deglaze a pan or thin out a sauce.
5
Chicken Broth Substitute: Chicken Base or Chicken Broth Concentrate
Chicken base usually comes in a small jar and chicken broth concentrate often comes in a single-serve packet—both can be dissolved in hot water. They both add a similar depth of flavor to your recipes, and you can up the flavor even more by using less water for dissolving.
6
Chicken Broth Substitute: Salted Butter + Water
If you don’t have broth on hand and want a little more flavor than just plain water, try subbing in 1 cup of water plus 1 tablespoon of butter for every cup of chicken broth in your recipe. The butter will help create a richer flavor than just water alone. Just don't use this swap in recipes where chicken broth is the main ingredient.
