What Is The Difference Between Chicken Broth And Cream Of Chicken?
Chicken broth and cream of chicken are two staple chicken products that can be used in plenty of recipes.
Is one better than the other and how to differentiate these two chicken staples?
Let’s accompany us and figure it out in this article.
What is chicken broth?
Chicken broth is a savory liquid that is made from simmering chicken bones, meat, either with or without other vegetables for hours.
Chicken broth is a staple in any kitchen and it is a healthier alternative for beef or pork broth.
It can be made from scratch or bought in the store.
Chicken broth is full of flavor and nutrients that your family will love.
That’s why this cooking ingredient can be used in numerous ways, such as eating alone to help with colds and illnesses, as a foundation for soups, gravies, stews, and sauces.
What is the cream of chicken?
Cream of chicken is a type of creamy white soup that is usually served as an appetizer, to thicken and make your soups or casseroles taste better.
It can be served in small portions to accompany other dishes.
Cream of chicken is typically made with cream, butter, flour, and meaty chicken broth with other spices to enhance flavor.
Cream of chicken has a smooth and creamy texture that you cannot find in chicken broth or stock.
However, it also means this dish contains more fat and can make you gain weight if you consume too much.
What are the differences between chicken broth vs cream of chicken?
Chicken broth and cream of chicken are both two popular chicken products.
However, they differ in many ways.
The comparison table below will break these distinctions into several criteria so that you can easily follow and know how to differentiate them every time you shop for these food items:
| Chicken broth | Cream of chicken | |
| Ingredients | Water, chicken bones, chicken meat, vegetables, and seasoning | Chicken broth, cream, butter, flour, and seasoning |
| Texture and color | Watery, clear, and pale yellow to brown | Creamy and white |
| Flavor | Mild savory flavor | Creamy and savory |
| Nutrients | Lower in sodium, cholesterol, and carb | Higher in sodium and fat |
| Use | A base for soups, stews, or sauces | Used in casseroles, mashed potatoes, macaroni, and cheese, or thicken some kinds of sauces |
What are the similarities between chicken broth vs cream of chicken?
Although there are many differences between chicken broth and cream of chicken, from their textures, flavors, to nutrient facts, these two chicken products do share several similarities, as mentioned below:
1. Cream of chicken is made from chicken broth
The main ingredient used in the two recipes is chicken.
Chicken broth is made by simmering meaty chicken bones with other ingredients for hours until the nutrients and flavor from chicken can penetrate into the soup.
Cream of chicken is also made from chicken broth.
That means after you have a pot of chicken broth, with a few more ingredients (dairy products and thickening agents), you can make cream of chicken.
2. Both are rich in vitamins and minerals
Chicken broth and cream of chicken are rich sources of essential nutrients for our body.
They are made from chicken bones and meat, which is high in protein, B-vitamins, amino acid tryptophan, niacin, phosphorus, thiamine, and potassium.
In general, chicken can help us cut down some weight, improve bone health, and reduce the risk of heart disease.
However, remember that cream of chicken is higher in fat and sodium, so you should limit your portion and have a proper diet.
3. Chicken broth and cream of chicken can be made from scratch at home or bought from stores
Both of these products can be easily made at home.
However, it will take time and effort.
Today, due to the high demand for these convenient canned products, you can easily purchase a can or jar of chicken broth or cream of chicken from a grocery store, supermarket, or Amazon.
Which one is better?
| Product Comparison | Kitchen Basics Original Chicken Bone Broth, 8.25 fl oz (Pack of 12) | Campbell's Condensed Healthy Request Cream of Chicken Soup, 10.5... |
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| Latest Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
We hope that this article has helped you find the answer.
Both of these chicken products are tasty and nutritious.
In the end, it’s up to you to choose which one of these staples is better.
For example, if you are looking for a more natural product that can be used in all sorts of dishes and recipes to serve people who have sensitivities to dairy products due to lactose intolerance, chicken broth might be your best choice.
But if you want something with a bit more flavor and texture, cream of chicken may work best for you.