Chicken base is a great way to add flavor to your savory recipes, including soups and stews. But, what happens if you don’t have it on hand? Find some great substitutes for chicken base including chicken stock, bouillon cubes, coconut milk, and more.

Blocks of chicken base on foil wrapper.
Chicken base (photo source: Canva).

Chicken base is a staple in many kitchens because it is a great way to add flavor to dishes.

Chicken base that you buy is a type of bouillon that is typically made from chicken broth, salt, and seasonings. While the exact ingredients can vary, most chicken bases also contain onion, celery, and carrots.

The bouillon is then reduced down to a concentrate, which can be stored in a jar or container. When you’re ready to use it, you simply add a cup of water to the desired amount and stir until the base has dissolved.

Chicken base can be used to make soups, stews, sauces, and even rice dishes. It’s a great way to add flavor without having to use chicken broth or stock. Plus, it’s shelf-stable and doesn’t require refrigeration.

Substitutes for Chicken Base in Cooking

1. Chicken Stock

Bowl of chicken stock with cutting board and vegetables.
Chicken stock.

Chicken stock is a versatile and flavorful ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. I use it in almost all of my Instant Pot Chicken recipes.

While it is not as concentrated as chicken base, it can still be used to add flavor and body to soups, stews, and sauces. It’s a great chicken base substitute because it contains lots of chicken flavor.

Additionally, chicken stock is less likely to add a salty flavor to dishes than chicken base. As a result, it is a good choice for those who are trying to reduce their sodium intake (read the label of any stock that you buy to make sure it doesn’t contain added salt).

To substitute one tablespoon of chicken base, use two tablespoons of chicken stock.

2. Chicken Broth

Bowl of chicken broth and sliced bread with herbs.
Chicken broth.

Chicken broth is a great substitute for chicken base because it’s lower in sodium and fat, and it has a more subtle flavor.

When using chicken broth find flavors that you enjoy putting in the broth to spice it up a bit. Try this Thai Curry Chicken Soup.

When substituting chicken broth for chicken base, you will want to use about half as much broth as you would base.

To substitute two tablespoons of chicken base, use 1 tablespoon of broth. Or, for two cups of chicken base, use one cup of chicken broth.

3. Chicken Bouillon Granules

Stack of five chicken bouillon cubes on cutting board.
Chicken bouillon.

Chicken bouillon granules are a great way to add flavor to your dishes, and they can be used as a substitute for chicken base.

When substituting chicken bouillon granules for chicken base, it is important to use the same amount of granules as you would use for chicken base.

To substitute one tablespoon of chicken base, use one tablespoon of chicken bouillon granules.

4. Vegetable Broth

Vegetable broth on towel with fresh vegetables.
Vegetable broth.

Perhaps you’re vegetarian or vegan, or you’re simply trying to cut down on your intake of animal products. Whatever the reason, it’s important to know how to use vegetable broth as a substitute for chicken base so that you can still enjoy all your favorite dishes.

Another thing to keep in mind is that vegetable stock tends to be thinner than chicken base so you may need to adjust the proportions of other ingredients in your dish accordingly.

For example, if you’re using vegetable broth in a soup recipe, you may need to add more flour or cornstarch to thicken it up.

You could also try using chickpea liquid to replace chicken broth, but you’ll be missing the umami flavor.

To substitute one tablespoon of chicken base, use one tablespoon of vegetable broth.

5. Beef Broth

Bowl of beef broth on towel with fresh vegetables.
Beef broth.

If you need to flavor a dish, then you can use less beef broth than you would chicken base. However, if you’re using it as the base for a soup or stew, then you’ll need to use more beef stock to get the same flavor.

To substitute one tablespoon of chicken base, use one tablespoon of beef broth.

6. Coconut Milk

Jar of coconut milk with sliced coconuts.
Coconut milk.

There are a lot of reasons to love coconut milk. It’s creamy, it has a delicious nutty flavor, and it’s a great dairy-free alternative for those who are lactose intolerant or following a vegan diet.

Coconut milk makes an excellent base for soups and stews, especially if you’re looking for a dairy-free option.

While it won’t offer the same flavors and umami as chicken base, you can use coconut milk as a substitute for chicken base if you are in a real pinch.

To substitute one tablespoon of chicken base, use one tablespoon of coconut milk.

7. Seasonings

Bowl of dried herbs and seasonings.
Seasonings.

The last option to substituting chicken base is to use plain dried herb seasoning and a bit of water.

The main benefit of chicken base is that it offers flavor to a dish. If you don’t have any of the options above, then you can add an extra teaspoon of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley or Italian seasoning in place of chicken base.

You could also try adding bay leaves to your dish to try and add more depth of flavor to your homemade broth.

To substitute one tablespoon of chicken base, use one teaspoon each of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley or Italian seasoning stirred into one tablespoon of water.

How to Use Chicken Base

Chicken base is generally sold in jars or packets, and a little goes a long way since it is so concentrated. When you’re ready to use it, you simply add water to the desired amount and stir until the base has dissolved.

When using a chicken base, be sure to taste as you go and add additional seasoning as needed.

How Chicken Base Differs From Chicken Broth

Chicken base and chicken broth are both common ingredients in the kitchen, but they are actually quite different.

Chicken broth is made by simmering chicken bones in water, which gives it a milder flavor. Base, on the other hand, is made by simmering the chicken meat itself. This results in a rich flavor.

Base is even more concentrated than broth, so it generally needs to be diluted before use. In addition, chicken base typically contains salt and other seasonings, while the broth is usually left unseasoned.

Conclusions

There are many substitutes for chicken base that can be used to add flavor and body to soups, stews, and sauces. When substituting one of these ingredients for chicken base, it is important to keep in mind that the flavor and consistency of the dish may be slightly different. However, all of these substitutes will still give your dish a delicious flavor that you and your family will love.

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and is studying to be a holistic nutritionist. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send her a message through her contact form.