What’s Really In Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup? A Complete Ingredients Breakdown

Have you ever grabbed that iconic red and white can of Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup from your pantry and wondered, “What exactly am I about to eat?” Whether you’re using it as a quick meal solution or as a secret ingredient in your favorite casserole, knowing what’s inside that can might surprise you! I’ve done some digging to break down exactly what ingredients make up this pantry staple that’s been around for over 80 years.

The Basic Ingredient List

Let me start with the basic ingredients found in Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup. The ingredients vary slightly between the US and Canadian versions but here’s what you’ll typically find

US Version Ingredients:

• Chicken stock
• Modified cornstarch
• Vegetable oil
• Wheat flour
• Cream
• Chicken meat
• Chicken fat
• Salt
• Whey
• Dried chicken
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• Soy protein concentrate
• Water
• Natural flavoring
• Yeast extract
• Beta carotene (for color)
• Soy protein isolate
• Sodium phosphate
• Celery extract
• Onion extract
• Butter
• Garlic juice concentrate

Canadian Version Ingredients:

• Chicken broth (water, chicken stock)
• Modified corn starch
• Chicken fat
• Seasoned chicken
• Vegetable oil (corn, canola and/or soybean)
• Wheat flour
• Salt
• Cream
• Yeast extract
• Modified milk ingredients
• Soy protein concentrate
• Onion powder
• Vinegar
• Beta carotene
• Flavour (contains celery)

Let’s Break Down These Ingredients

The Base: Chicken Stock/Broth

The primary ingredient in both versions is chicken stock or broth which provides that familiar chicken flavor. In the Canadian version they specify it’s made from water and chicken stock.

Thickeners

Both versions use modified corn starch and wheat flour as thickening agents. These ingredients give the soup its creamy, viscous texture without adding too much fat.

Fats

The fat content comes from several sources:

• Chicken fat
• Vegetable oil (corn, canola, and/or soybean)
• Cream
• In the US version, there’s also butter

These fats contribute to the rich mouthfeel and flavor of the soup.

Protein Sources

The protein in the soup comes from:

• Chicken meat (fresh in US version, “seasoned chicken” in Canadian version)
• Dried chicken (US version only)
• Soy protein concentrate
• Soy protein isolate (US version only)
• Modified milk ingredients (Canadian version)

Flavor Enhancers

Several ingredients are added primarily to enhance flavor:

• Salt
• MSG (US version only)
• Yeast extract
• Natural flavoring
• Onion powder/extract
• Celery extract/flavour
• Garlic juice concentrate (US version only)
• Vinegar (Canadian version only)

Coloring

Both versions use beta carotene to give the soup its signature yellowish color.

Nutritional Information

Now let’s look at what these ingredients mean in terms of nutrition:

US Version (per 1/2 cup condensed):

• Calories: 120
• Total Fat: 8g (10% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 2g (10% DV)
• Cholesterol: 15mg (5% DV)
• Sodium: 870mg (38% DV)
• Total Carbohydrate: 9g (3% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Total Sugars: <1g
• Added Sugars: 0g
• Protein: 2g

Canadian Version (per 1/2 cup condensed):

• Calories: 110
• Fat: 7g (9% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g (8% DV)
• Cholesterol: 10mg
• Sodium: 840mg (37% DV)
• Potassium: 100mg (2% DV)
• Carbohydrate: 9g
• Fibre: 0g
• Sugars: 1g (1% DV)
• Protein: 2g

The nutritional profiles are fairly similar, with the US version having slightly more calories and fat. Both versions are quite high in sodium, which is typical for canned soups.

Potential Allergens and Dietary Considerations

If you have dietary restrictions, you should be aware that Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup contains several common allergens:

• Wheat (from wheat flour)
• Milk (from cream and modified milk ingredients)
• Soy (from soy protein concentrate and isolate)

Additionally, the soup is not suitable for:

• Vegetarians or vegans (contains chicken and dairy)
• Those following a gluten-free diet (contains wheat)
• People on low-sodium diets (high sodium content)

The Evolution of Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup

Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup was first introduced in 1934 and has remained a beloved comfort food for generations of Americans and Canadians. While the recipe has evolved over time to meet changing tastes and nutritional needs, its basic formula has stayed remarkably consistent.

In recent years, Campbell’s has introduced variations of their classic soup to cater to different dietary preferences:

• Reduced-fat versions
• Healthy Request options (with reduced sodium)
• Organic varieties

How to Use Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup

This versatile soup isn’t just for eating straight out of the can! Here are some popular ways to use it:

1. As a sauce base for casseroles and baked dishes
2. In slow cooker recipes for added creaminess and flavor
3. As a starter for homemade soups – just add veggies and more chicken
4. In one-pot meals like the Creamy Chicken Stroganoff recipe featured on Campbell’s website
5. As a creamy pasta sauce when combined with milk or broth

Campbell’s vs. Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup

While nothing beats homemade soup for fresh flavor and control over ingredients, Campbell’s offers some advantages:

Advantages of Campbell’s:

• Convenience and quick preparation
• Consistent flavor every time
• Long shelf life
• Affordable price point
• Familiar taste that many recipes are designed around

Advantages of Homemade:

• Control over ingredients (can avoid preservatives and additives)
• Ability to adjust sodium levels
• Potentially richer flavor from fresh ingredients
• Can customize herbs and seasonings
• Typically higher chicken content

Health Considerations

Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup isn’t typically considered a health food, but it does offer some nutritional benefits:

• Contains protein
• Includes some vitamin A (from beta carotene)
• Provides calcium (about 2% of daily value)
• Contains potassium (Canadian version lists 2% of daily value)

However, there are some health considerations to keep in mind:

• High sodium content (over 35% of daily value in one serving)
• Contains MSG in the US version (which some people prefer to avoid)
• Relatively high in fat, especially saturated fat
• Contains modified starches and oils

Final Thoughts

Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup remains a popular pantry staple for good reason – it’s versatile, convenient, and has a familiar taste that many of us grew up with. While it contains more processed ingredients than a homemade soup would, it serves its purpose well as both a quick meal solution and a recipe ingredient.

If you’re concerned about certain ingredients, you might consider Campbell’s organic or reduced-sodium options, or try making your own cream of chicken soup from scratch for special occasions.

I keep a few cans in my pantry at all times – they’ve saved dinner more than once when I needed a quick solution! Whether you’re making your grandma’s famous chicken casserole or just want a comforting bowl of soup on a cold day, now you know exactly what’s in that iconic red and white can.

Have you used Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup in any creative recipes? I’d love to hear about your favorite ways to use this versatile ingredient!

Campbell’s Cream of Chicken soup primarily consists of chicken stock, modified cornstarch, vegetable oil, wheat flour, cream, and chicken meat, along with other ingredients like salt, yeast extract, and seasonings for flavor and texture.

A standard can of Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Chicken soup contains ingredients such as chicken stock, modified cornstarch, vegetable oil, wheat flour, cream, chicken meat, and chicken fat. It also includes components like salt, whey, yeast extract, and dried chicken, along with seasonings and natural flavors.

You can substitute for cream of chicken soup by using other canned cream soups like cream of mushroom or celery, or by making a simple homemade white sauce with butter, flour, chicken broth, and milk, adjusted to the consistency you need. Other options include a mixture of heavy cream and chicken broth, or sour cream or plain yogurt with broth for a tangier result.

The Campbell’s Well Yes! Lightly Salted line is a good healthy choice due to its lower sodium content, use of real ingredients, and lack of added sugar, making options like the Vegetable Noodle Soup a standout.