Have you ever stood in the grocery store aisle, staring at rows of chicken broth cartons, and wondered what exactly chicken broth is supposed to taste like? I know I have! Whether you’re making soup, gravy, or just want something warm to sip on a cold day, understanding the flavor profile of chicken broth can help you choose the right one for your needs
As someone who’s spent countless hours in the kitchen (and honestly, probably too much money taste-testing different broths), I’m excited to share everything you need to know about the taste of chicken broth Let’s dive right in!
The Basic Flavor Profile of Chicken Broth
Chicken broth has a savory umami-rich flavor that most people find comforting and satisfying. At its core, good chicken broth should taste like—surprise!—chicken. But it’s more complex than just “chicken water.”
The best chicken broth offers:
- A delicate chicken essence
- Subtle sweetness from vegetables
- Savory depth (umami)
- Balanced saltiness
- Aromatic notes from herbs and spices
When you take a sip of quality chicken broth, you should immediately recognize the chicken flavor. It shouldn’t taste bland or watery, but it also shouldn’t be overwhelmingly strong or artificial.
Store-Bought vs. Homemade: A World of Difference
Let’s be real – not all chicken broths are created equal. There’s a massive difference between homemade and store-bought versions.
Homemade chicken broth typically has:
- More pronounced, natural chicken flavor
- Better control over salt content
- No preservatives or additives
- Richer mouthfeel and body
- Customizable flavor profile
Store-bought chicken broth often has:
- More consistent flavor
- Added salt (sometimes quite a lot!)
- Convenience factor
- Variable quality depending on brand
- Sometimes artificial flavor enhancers
In a recent taste test by Serious Eats, they found Swanson Chicken Broth to be the overall winner among store-bought options. Tasters noted it had actual chicken flavor, though some worried it might be a bit too salty for recipes requiring reduction.
For those concerned about sodium, Imagine Low-Sodium Free-Range Chicken Broth was their top pick for low-sodium options, offering “intensely chickeny” flavor without excessive salt.
What Affects the Taste of Chicken Broth?
1. Ingredients Used
The ingredients used in making chicken broth significantly impact its flavor:
- Chicken parts: Bones add body and richness, while meat contributes direct chicken flavor.
- Aromatics: Onions, carrots, celery (the classic “mirepoix”) add sweetness and depth.
- Herbs: Thyme, parsley, bay leaves contribute aromatic notes.
- Seasoning: Salt levels vary wildly between brands and recipes.
2. Cooking Method
How the broth is prepared matters too:
- Simmering time: Longer simmering extracts more flavor and gelatin.
- Temperature: Gentle simmering vs. rapid boiling affects clarity and flavor.
- Skimming: Removing impurities results in clearer, cleaner-tasting broth.
3. Quality of Ingredients
This might seem obvious, but the quality of ingredients makes a massive difference:
- Free-range chicken often produces more flavorful broth
- Fresh vegetables provide brighter flavors
- Higher-quality ingredients = better-tasting broth
Store-Bought Chicken Broth Taste Test Results
Nutmeg Nanny conducted an interesting taste test of 5 popular chicken broth brands, and the results were fascinating. The differences between brands were HUGE – from color to flavor profile.
Here’s what they found (ranked from best to worst):
-
Zoup! Good, Really Good™ Chicken Broth
- Taste: Deep roast chicken flavor
- Appearance: Very dark gold and clear
- Price: $6.95 for 31 ounces
- Key note: Tasted strongly of roast chicken with no overwhelming vegetable or herb flavors
-
Kitchen Basics Chicken Stock
- Taste: Balanced chicken, carrots, and bay
- Appearance: Medium-light gold with some cloudiness
- Price: $3.49 for 32 ounces
- Key note: Good balance of chicken, vegetable, and herb flavors
-
Swanson Chicken Broth
- Taste: Salty with slight chicken flavor, peppercorns, and burnt onions
- Appearance: Light yellow and clear
- Price: $2.29 for 32 ounces
- Key note: A bit salty but widely available and affordable
-
Imagine Organic Chicken Broth
- Taste: Strong green onion with little chicken flavor
- Appearance: Light yellow and cloudy
- Price: $3.99 for 32 ounces
- Key note: Overwhelmingly tasted like green onion rather than chicken
-
Pacific Chicken Broth
- Taste: Very bland and earthy
- Appearance: Medium gold and clear
- Price: $3.59 for 32 ounces
- Key note: Had an earthy, mushroom-like flavor despite no mushrooms in the ingredients
I’ve tried a few of these myself, and I gotta say, the differences are striking! It’s kinda crazy how something labeled “chicken broth” can range from tasting like a beautiful roast chicken to literally just green onions in water.
Is Chicken Broth Supposed to Be Salty?
This is one of the most common questions about chicken broth. The answer? It depends!
Store-bought chicken broth often contains added salt for flavor preservation and taste enhancement. The sodium content can vary dramatically between brands and between regular and low-sodium versions.
For example, Swanson’s regular chicken broth contains about 570mg of sodium per cup, while their low-sodium version contains significantly less. If you’re watching your salt intake or planning to reduce your broth for sauces or gravies, a low-sodium option is usually best.
Homemade chicken broth lets you control the salt level completely. Many chefs prefer to keep homemade broth very lightly salted or even unsalted, then season the final dish as needed.
Can You Drink Chicken Broth On Its Own?
Absolutely! Drinking warm chicken broth straight from a mug is actually super comforting, especially when you’re feeling under the weather. A good-quality chicken broth should be pleasant enough to sip on its own.
Many people enjoy chicken broth as:
- A warming winter drink
- A light, savory alternative to tea or coffee
- A source of hydration when sick
- A low-calorie, satisfying snack
If you’re planning to drink broth straight, I’d recommend getting a high-quality option or making your own. The cheaper store brands might be fine for cooking but can be too salty or artificial-tasting for direct consumption.
What Can You Use Chicken Broth For?
Chicken broth is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Here are some common uses:
- Soup base: The most obvious use – for chicken noodle, chicken and rice, or any chicken-based soup
- Cooking grains: Use instead of water when cooking rice, quinoa, or farro for extra flavor
- Sauces and gravies: Provides a flavorful base for thickness and richness
- Braising liquid: Adds moisture and flavor when slow-cooking meats
- Deglazing pans: Use to scrape up flavorful bits after sautéing
- Mashed potatoes: Add instead of (or alongside) milk for savory mashed potatoes
- Stuffing/dressing: Moistens bread for Thanksgiving stuffing
The Difference Between Chicken Broth and Chicken Stock
While many people use the terms interchangeably (and honestly, even many food manufacturers do too), there is technically a difference:
Chicken Broth:
- Made primarily from meat
- Typically has vegetables and seasonings
- Lighter in body
- More straightforward chicken flavor
- Shorter cooking time (1-2 hours)
Chicken Stock:
- Made primarily from bones
- Often roasted bones for deeper color
- Richer in gelatin (gives that jiggly texture when cold)
- More body and mouthfeel
- Longer cooking time (4+ hours)
In practice, many products labeled as “broth” are actually closer to stock in composition, and vice versa. The lines have blurred considerably in commercial products.
How to Enhance Store-Bought Chicken Broth
If you’re using store-bought broth but want more flavor, try these tricks:
- Simmer with aromatics: Add fresh garlic, onion, carrots, celery, and herbs
- Add umami boosters: A splash of soy sauce or dash of fish sauce (just a tiny bit!)
- Toss in herb stems: Save those parsley or cilantro stems to add flavor
- Include a parmesan rind: Adds wonderful savory depth
- Roast bones: If you have chicken bones, roast them and simmer in the broth
Final Thoughts: Finding Your Perfect Chicken Broth
After tasting tons of different chicken broths (and reading about many more), I’ve concluded that the “best” chicken broth depends entirely on what you’re using it for.
For drinking straight or simple soups, look for one with robust chicken flavor that tastes good on its own. For cooking and reducing into sauces, a lower-sodium option gives you more control.
Don’t be afraid to try different brands or even make your own. The difference between mediocre and excellent chicken broth can completely transform your cooking!
What’s your favorite chicken broth? Have you noticed big differences between brands? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
Kitchen Basics Unsalted Chicken Stock
I liked that this broth is sold in 1-cup boxes, so you can use it a little at a time without racking up a fridge full of leftover broth. It also comes in standard 1-quart containers for larger batches. However, you may not want to reach for it as it tastes processed.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
The look: This bright yellow broth gets its color from added honey. It has no more texture or body than water.
The taste: I found this broth to taste almost old and stale, rather than fresh and vibrant. The honey seems unnecessary, and any flavor from the herbs listed on the back (bay leaf and thyme) disappeared completely.
Dr. Kellyann Chicken Bone Broth
Previously sold as a powder to be reconstituted into broth, this newer liquid version of Dr. Kellyann’s bone broth has a rich flavor and a robust nutrition panel, including a bit more fat than most other broths on the market.
The look: Dr. Kellyann’s broth is quite orange-looking and less cloudy than others. The darker color likely comes from using roasted chicken.
The taste: Notably, the ingredient list on this broth includes both chicken bone broth and vegetable broth, so it seems like the two broths are simmered separately and combined to make this product. That could be the reason that you get such a strong chicken flavor, with deep umami caramelized notes (or, perhaps, there’s just more chicken broth in here than veggie broth—it is the first ingredient listed). This broth has a powerful chicken and herb flavor on its own that’s better suited to sipping rather than cooking.
The Best and Worst Supermarket Chicken Broths | The Taste Test
FAQ
What does chicken bone broth taste like?
And that’s typically what a chicken bone broth will taste like: a subtle, salty chicken flavor. It won’t be as strong as eating chicken skin or dark meat, but it will have a beautiful layer of chicken flavor that adds an extra layer to soups or makes a great base for a gravy or sauce.
What does broth taste like?
It has a uniform golden-brown color with no visible herbs, seasonings, or fat floating around. The taste: The broth is very well seasoned and balanced. It has a touch of acidity from apple cider vinegar that wakes things up a bit but is far from overwhelming.
What makes a good chicken broth?
Both of our winning picks kept the ingredients basic: While some of the other broths we tried contained ingredients like yeast extract, corn protein, or maltodextrin (which is often used as a thickener or stabilizer in consumer packaged goods), our favorite broths contained just chicken, “natural” chicken flavor, water, and aromatics.
What does bone broth look like?
The look: The broth is a mostly clear golden-brown color with some visible chunks of chicken fat floating around. Once heated, the fat dissolves into the rest of the broth and adds flavor and body. The taste: This bone broth had a more viscous texture than many of the others I sampled.
Are all store-bought chicken broths and stocks the same?
Of course, not all store-bought chicken broths and stocks are equal in taste or nutrition. In particular, sodium levels can vary widely, and you want to avoid grabbing a container of overly salted broth that has nothing else going for it in the flavor department.
Which bone broth should I use?
If you’re new to the world of bone broths, then I recommend starting with a chicken or a turkey broth, since they are typically a little milder in terms of their flavor profile. When you’re making a chicken or turkey broth at home it will smell like a roast chicken dinner.
What is chicken broth supposed to taste like?
It’s quite savory. It can have things like onion, carrot, and herb flavors as well. If you eat chicken, you’ll probably like the taste of chicken stock or broth.
Does chicken broth taste good alone?
Can you just drink chicken broth by itself?
How do you describe chicken broth?
The key is that the bones are free of any meat or cartilage. The stock gets its rich flavor and fattiness from the residual cartilage in the bones. Chicken broth, on the other hand, is made with chicken meat (such as a whole chicken), as well as the same mirepoix blend, herbs, and spices.