A chicken soup base is a condensed or concentrated form of chicken broth that is used to add flavor and body to soups, gravies, sauces, stews, casseroles, and other dishes. It provides an easy way to make chicken-flavored broth without having to simmer chicken parts for hours to extract the flavor. Chicken soup bases allow cooks to quickly prepare delicious chicken soups, sauces, and more.
What is Chicken Broth?
Before discussing chicken soup bases specifically, it helps to understand what chicken broth is. Chicken broth is a savory liquid made by simmering raw chicken parts, like bones, meat, feet, and skin, in water. This long simmering time extracts gelatin, fat, and nutrients from the chicken, resulting in a rich, flavorful broth.
The process of making homemade chicken broth is time consuming, taking 3-4 hours of gentle simmering. First, the raw chicken parts are rinsed. Then, they are combined with cold water in a large pot (about 1 pound of chicken parts per 1 quart of water). Vegetable scraps like onion, carrot, and celery are commonly added for more flavor. The pot is brought to a gentle simmer and cooked until the broth is rich and flavorful, about 3-4 hours. The solids are strained out, leaving the savory concentrated broth behind.
Benefits of Chicken Broth
Chicken broth offers several benefits:
- It builds rich, savory flavor in soups, gravies, risottos, and more.
- It provides moisture and juiciness when cooking meats and vegetables.
- It contains gelatin from the chicken parts, which provides body and texture.
- It is packed with nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids extracted from the chicken.
Homemade chicken broth is prized in cooking for its fresh, from-scratch flavor. However, the lengthy simmering time makes it impractical for everyday cooking. This is where chicken soup bases come in handy.
What is a Chicken Soup Base?
A chicken soup base provides the rich flavor and body of homemade chicken broth in a convenient, concentrated form. Commercial chicken soup bases are made by concentrating fresh chicken broth down to a thick paste or powder.
Chicken soup bases allow you to skip the 3-4 hours of simmering time needed for homemade broth. Within minutes, a spoonful of base mixed with water produces broth packed with savory chicken flavor.
Types of Chicken Soup Bases
There are two main types of chicken soup bases available:
Powder Chicken Soup Base
Powder chicken broth base is made by spray drying fresh chicken broth into a fine powder. Brands like Better Than Bouillon and Frontier Co-Op sell jarred powdered chicken base. A teaspoon or two of the powder is stirred into hot water to produce instant chicken broth.
Paste Chicken Soup Base
Paste chicken broth base is made by condensing broth down into a thick, concentrated paste. Brands like Minor’s and Homemade sell it in jars and tubes. About a teaspoon of the paste stirred into water makes fresh tasting broth.
Both powder and paste chicken soup bases deliver concentrated chicken flavor whenever you need it. They have a shelf-stable consistency so they can be stored conveniently in the pantry.
How is Chicken Soup Base Made?
Chicken soup bases start with fresh, homemade chicken broth. The broth is made by simmering chicken meat, bones, and scraps in water for several hours to extract the flavor, gelatin, and nutrients. Once the flavorful broth is strained, it goes through an industrial concentration process.
For powder bases, the broth is dried into a powder using spray drying or freeze drying technology. Spray drying quickly turns liquids into powders by spraying fine droplets into hot air. The moisture evaporates, leaving only the dried powder behind. Freeze drying instead freezes the broth first, then removes the ice crystals by drying under a vacuum. Both methods preserve the chicken flavor.
For paste bases, the broth is slowly simmered again to remove moisture content. This concentrates it down into a thick paste form that can be packaged into jars and tubes. Additional ingredients like salt, yeast extract, and potato flour may be added to intensify the savory chicken flavor.
The end result of both processes is a highly concentrated chicken broth that is quick and easy to use in everyday cooking. Just a small spoonful mixed with hot water resurrects the complex flavors and aromas of homemade chicken broth.
Nutritional Profile
The specific nutritional values of chicken soup base vary between brands. However, in general, chicken soup base is low in calories, fat, and carbohydrates. It is high in sodium since salt is added during processing to enhance the savory flavor.
A typical 1 teaspoon serving of chicken soup base powder contains around:
- 15-25 calories
- 0.5-1.5g fat
- 3-5g carbohydrates
- 500-800mg sodium
Paste and liquid chicken soup bases have a similar nutrition profile when used in a 1 teaspoon serving size.
Chicken soup base is not a significant source of protein, vitamins, or minerals since most nutrients remain behind with the solids when making broth. However, it does provide a flavorful, low calorie way to add the rich taste of chicken broth to recipes. Just be mindful of the added sodium content.
How to Use Chicken Soup Base
Chicken soup base offers a convenient shortcut for adding chicken flavor whenever you need it. Here are some tips for using chicken soup base:
Make Chicken Broth
The most basic use for chicken soup base is making instant chicken broth. Just follow the package directions, generally mixing about 1 teaspoon base per 1 cup hot water. Stir to dissolve and you have fresh tasting broth in minutes.
Enhance Soups
Use chicken soup base to elevate canned or homemade soups. Add it to tomato soup, potato soup, vegetable soup, ramen noodles, and more. It builds a rich, savory foundation.
Cook Grains and Beans
Boil grains like rice or quinoa and cook beans in chicken broth made from the base for extra flavor. The broth infuses the grains and beans as they absorb the liquid.
Make Gravies and Sauces
Stir chicken soup base into pan drippings when making gravy for extra flavor. Whisk it into cream sauces and pan sauces too.
Braise and Roast Meat and Vegetables
Use chicken broth made from the base when braising tough meats like chicken thighs, pork shoulder, or pot roast. The savory liquid tenderizes while adding moisture and flavor. It’s also excellent for roasting vegetables.
Add to Casseroles and Side Dishes
Mix some chicken soup base into stuffing, rice pilaf, pasta salads, mashed potatoes, and more. It enhances the flavor of these dishes.
Make a Quick Skillet Dinner
Saute vegetables like onions, carrots, mushrooms, and kale. Add chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Pour in broth made from the base and simmer until cooked through for an easy one-pan meal.
Use in Place of Water When Cooking
Substitute broth made from chicken base for water in many recipes for extra flavor. Use it when steaming vegetables or grains, making oatmeal, cooking eggs, and more.
Substitutions
In a pinch, chicken soup base can be substituted with other ingredients:
- Homemade or canned chicken broth – Replace 1 teaspoon chicken soup base with 1 cup chicken broth.
- Chicken bouillon cubes or granules – Use 1 cube or 1 teaspoon granules instead of 1 teaspoon chicken soup base.
- Water and salt – For 1 teaspoon base, use 1 cup water and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- Vegetable or beef broth – Substitute with equal amounts, but flavor will differ.
Adjust amounts as needed depending on the recipe. The substituted ingredients may need to be reduced down if a more concentrated flavor is desired.
Buying and Storing Chicken Soup Base
When shopping for chicken soup base, check the ingredient list and choose products without artificial additives. Look for options containing just chicken broth concentrate along with natural flavorings like yeast extract or onion powder.
Once opened, store chicken soup base powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Use paste chicken soup base within 3 months and powders within 1 year for best quality. Unopened, chicken soup bases have at best by dates of 2 years or longer.
Some popular brands of chicken soup base include:
- Better Than Bouillon
- Minor’s
- Homemade
- Frontier Co-Op
- Savory Choice
- Massel
- Edward & Sons
Look for jars or tubes of paste and powder tubs in the soup aisle or broth section of major supermarkets. Natural food stores, warehouse clubs, and online retailers also carry chicken soup bases.
Chicken Soup Base vs. Bouillon
Chicken bouillon is another popular option for making quick chicken broth. What’s the difference compared to soup base?
While bouillon and soup base are both concentrated sources of chicken flavor, bouillon is made with a different process. Bouillon starts with boiled down broth, but often contains MSG, artificial flavors, and many additives. It has a high sodium content but may lack the gelatin content of homemade broth.
In comparison, better quality soup bases start with fresh broth and concentrate through drying methods without artificial additives. Soup bases deliver more homemade chicken flavor than bouillon. However, bouillon is often less expensive.
Chicken Soup Base vs. Chicken Broth Concentrate
In the supermarket, you may also see chicken broth concentrates. How do these differ from chicken soup bases?
Broth concentrates are made by reducing chicken broth to condense the flavor. However, concentrates still contain a high water content. They are usually packaged in liquid form in aseptic cartons or cans. Popular brands of chicken broth concentrate include Swanson and College Inn.
Chicken soup bases go through an additional drying process to remove almost all moisture. This makes them highly condensed and portable. Broth concentrates and soup bases can generally be used interchangeably, but you’ll need to use about 4 times the volume of concentrate to match the intensity of flavor of chicken soup base.
Benefits of Chicken Soup Base
Compared to homemade broth and other chicken flavored products, chicken soup base offers many benefits:
- Adds concentrated chicken flavor fast – Makes broth in minutes
- Very shelf-stable for pantry storage
- Lightweight and portable
- Doesn’t require refrigeration when unopened
- Easy to measure and use
- No waste – use just what you need
- Significantly more affordable than canned broth
Chicken soup base eliminates the hands-on time and guesswork required for homemade broth. With just a small spoonful, you can deliver a savory intensity of chicken flavor unmatched by plain water or other substitutions. It brings the taste of homemade to recipes conveniently and affordably.
Downsides of Chicken Soup Base
Chicken soup base does have some disadvantages:
- High in sodium due to added salt
- May contain additives and preservatives
- Doesn’t provide protein or nutrients like homemade broth
- Can impart an unpleasant taste when overloaded
- Not ideal for drinking broth due to highly concentrated flavor
To avoid overly salty flavor or additives, read labels and choose low sodium organic brands made with minimal ingredients. Start with small amounts of base and add more to taste when using in recipes. For sipping broth, homemade or canned chicken broth are better options.
Overall though, the convenience and intensity of flavor chicken soup base offers makes it an extremely useful ingredient for home cooks.
Homemade Chicken Soup Base
For cooks who want homemade flavor without the hands-on effort, it’s possible to make chicken soup base at home. This requires first making a batch of homemade chicken broth, then reducing it to concentrate the flavor.
Start by simmering 1-2 pounds chicken parts per 1 quart water for 3-4 hours to extract maximum flavor. Strain the broth. Next, return it to the stove and simmer uncovered until reduced down to 1/4 or 1/5 of the original volume. Keep a close eye on the reducing broth near the end to avoid burning. Finally, pour the concentrated base into ice cube trays and freeze. Pop out the cubes and store in freezer bags.
Use about 2-3 frozen broth base cubes per 1 cup hot water to make homemade style chicken broth anytime. You can also reduce the broth further to a paste for longer freezer storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chicken soup base the same as chicken broth?
No, chicken soup base and chicken broth are different. Chicken broth is a straight liquid made from simmering chicken in water. Chicken soup base is broth that has been concentrated down into a thick paste or powder. To use soup base, you reconstitute it with water to make broth.
Can you drink chicken soup base as broth?
Chicken soup base has an intensely concentrated, salty flavor. It is not intended to be consumed straight as broth. Instead, it should be diluted with about 1 cup hot water per teaspoon of base. This produces a broth suitable for drinking or using in recipes.
Is chicken soup base gluten free?
Most chicken soup base products are gluten free, but check the label to confirm. Some may contain wheat as an ingredient, making them unsuitable for gluten free diets. Brands certified gluten free include Better Than Bouillon and Massel.
Can you substitute bouillon for chicken soup base?
Yes, chicken bouillon can be used in place of chicken soup base in most recipes. However, you may need to use about 20% more bouillon to achieve the same intensity of flavor that the more concentrated soup base provides.
How long does chicken soup base last?
Unopened chicken soup base lasts about 1-2 years in the pantry. Opened chicken soup base powder keeps for about 1 year stored in an airtight container. Paste and liquid chicken soup base stays fresh for about 3 months refrigerated after opening. Always check best-by dates and discard if broth smells off or shows any mold.
Is chicken soup base healthy?
Chicken soup base is relatively low in calories, fat, carbohydrates, and protein. However, it tends to be high in sodium. Look for low sodium options and use the base in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet. Homemade has the advantage of allowing control over sodium content.
Conclusion
Chicken soup base is an invaluable pantry staple for home cooks. It provides an instant flavor boost whenever you want to add the savory, comforting taste of chicken broth to recipes. Commercial soup bases deliver concentrated chicken flavor through advanced concentration processes applied to fresh broths. Just a spoonful mixed with hot water resurrects the full experience of homemade chicken broth in minutes. From soups to stews, grains to gravies, and everything in between, chicken soup base is a versatile secret weapon for making dishes more delicious with little effort. Keep a jar on hand for cooking convenience and cut hours off the homemade broth process.