Soup, cream of chicken, canned, condensed
Whole food · Soups, Sauces, and Gravies
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the quintessential pantry staple, a thick, savory concentrate that transforms into a velvety, rich broth when diluted with water or milk. Its flavor is deeply savory and umami-forward, with a smooth, coating texture that feels comforting on a cold day. While modest in calories, it delivers a notable punch of fat and protein for its size, making it a surprisingly substantial base for quick meals.
Calorie split: 11% protein · 32% carbs · 58% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for its deep, savory comfort and the nostalgic warmth it brings to quick weeknight dinners. Its incredible versatility as a base for everything from chicken pot pie to creamy pasta sauces makes it a beloved kitchen shortcut.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The condensed form is often high in sodium, which can be a concern for those monitoring blood pressure, and its smooth texture may lack the appeal of fresh, chunky soups. To counteract, dilute it with low-sodium broth or water and add fresh vegetables or lean protein to boost nutrition and texture.
Key benefits
- Quick, shelf-stable meal starter with minimal prep.
- Provides a good source of protein and fat for satiety.
- Versatile base for casseroles, sauces, and gravies.
- Low in sugar and contains no fiber.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The first canned soups, including cream of chicken, were popularized by the Campbell Soup Company in the late 19th century, and their iconic red-and-white can design became a symbol of American pop culture, famously immortalized in Andy Warhol's art.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 82.8 g |
| Energy | 90.0 kcal |
| Energy | 377 kj |
| Protein | 2.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 5.8 g |
| Ash | 1.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 7.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.54 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 14.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 4.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 31.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 49.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 702 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.29 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.13 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.07 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 1.9 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.10 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.05 mg |
| Niacin | 0.39 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.19 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 2.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 2.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 2.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 10.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 43.0 ug |
| Retinol | 41.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 28.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 182 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 1.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.54 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 4.1 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.7 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 13:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.1 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.30 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.1 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.31 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.03 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.0 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 8.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.03 g |
| Threonine | 0.10 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.14 g |
| Leucine | 0.21 g |
| Lysine | 0.17 g |
| Methionine | 0.06 g |
| Cystine | 0.04 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.12 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.09 g |
| Valine | 0.14 g |
| Arginine | 0.13 g |
| Histidine | 0.07 g |
| Alanine | 0.12 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.19 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.62 g |
| Glycine | 0.11 g |
| Proline | 0.20 g |
| Serine | 0.12 g |
FAQ
What is the difference between condensed and ready-to-serve soup?
Condensed soup is a thick concentrate that requires dilution with water or milk before eating, while ready-to-serve soup is pre-mixed and ready to heat and eat.
Can I use cream of chicken soup in place of cream in recipes?
Yes, it can be used as a creamy, savory substitute in many recipes like casseroles, sauces, and gravies, adding both thickness and flavor.
Is cream of chicken soup gluten-free?
Most commercial brands are not gluten-free as they often contain wheat flour as a thickener. Always check the label for a gluten-free certification if needed.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.90 kcal/g · 11% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.5 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 14.33 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.