The chicken base might sound alien to some persons, especially when used to chicken broth already. Still, the chicken base is just like a more concentrated version of chicken broth, and it is used mainly when you want to add chicken flavor to a recipe without tampering with the liquid content of the recipe.
The chicken base may seem unnecessary for some people, but once you’ve used it, you’ll find yourself looking for one each time you want to make a chicken-flavored soup. Well, if you’re like me and you love this ingredient, then knowing a few substitutes for it would be important in case you run out last minute.
This is why I’ll be sharing some of my favorite alternatives for the chicken base so keep reading to find out.
Chicken Nutrition Facts
What Is a Chicken Base?
Chicken base is a golden brown syrup or paste-like condiment made from chicken stock; it is simply chicken stock that has been boiled for longer to get a thicker and more concentrated result. The chicken stock is perfect for everything that needs a rich chicken flavor; it makes gravies, soups, sauces, casseroles, and many delicious appetizers.
The chicken broth, stock, bouillon, and base are used mainly for one thing, which is the chicken flavor, but they vary in their method of preparation and consistency. The chicken broth is made from chicken flesh and seasoned, while the chicken stock is made from chicken bones and vegetables without seasoning.
Then the chicken base is made from slow simmering the chicken stock, while the chicken bouillon is a dehydrated version of chicken broth usually available in a cube.
Another version of the chicken flavored ingredient is the chicken salt; it has a vegan option made without chicken; the chicken salt is a seasoning made with onion, salt, paprika, garlic, celery, and curry powder.
The Chicken Base Uses in Recipes
Chicken base is a lifesaver in culinary because it adds rich chicken flavors to your recipes without altering the liquid content. The rich and thick consistency of the chicken base makes it the best chicken-flavored addition to stews and sauces.
When it comes to creative recipes to make with this ingredient, most people run out of ideas and become stuck on a recipe to use the chicken base. Well, I’ll be listing out some of the delicious and creative recipes I found on the internet that you could use the chicken base in, so feel free to try out any of them.
- Hainanese chicken rice express
- Oven-Braised Rosemary Chicken Legs
- Lemon Chicken
- Easy Quinoa Recipe
- Perfectly Poached Chicken Breasts
- Chicken Velouté Sauce
- Garlic Roasted Chicken With White Wine Sauce
- Eggplant Ratatouille
- Wild Rice Stuffing
- Glazed Carrots
- Shrimp Risotto
- Spicy Chuck Wagon Beans
- Bistro Chicken Fettuccine
- Braised Baby Bok Choy
- Chicken Potpie Galette
Substitutes for Chicken Base
Chicken base is an ingredient that many persons may not see the importance of, but it is a quick and convenient way to get a rich chicken flavor fast without simmering fresh chicken in the water again.
Since it is thicker, it also helps retain the consistency of your recipe; however, if you find yourself in a situation where you’ll need a substitute for it, there are many other ingredients you could work with. They include:
Chicken Bouillon Cubes
The chicken bouillon is the best alternative for the chicken base for speed, accessibility, and convenience. It can easily substitute chicken base in a flash when the need arises.
Bouillon cubes are dehydrated chicken stock or base popularly available in cube forms and easily found in supermarkets.
To make this substitute, mix the desired bouillon cube in hot water. Depending on the amount of chicken base you want, let’s say about 2 cups of chicken base, dissolve two chicken bouillon into 2 cups of boiling water.
Make sure you taste the mixture, and if it isn’t as tasty as you want, add an extra cube. Avoid adding any extra salt to this mixture to reduce the overall sodium level of the recipe.
Chicken Stock or Broth
Chicken base is made from chicken stock, so it makes a reasonable substitute for it. Chicken stock is made from simmering chicken bones with vegetables, while the chicken broth is made from chicken flesh; they both carry chicken flavors with a slight difference inconsistency.
If the chicken stock or chicken broth is the closest thing in your pantry or supermarket, then you can use it because it would make a good chicken base substitute in your recipe. A 1:1 ratio can be used when substituting.
Vegetable Stock or Bouillon
Since the vegetable stock or bouillon is made from vegetables is a great vegan option for the chicken base. It may not carry the unique chicken flavor of the chicken base, but it carries the same salty flavor of the chicken base.
For a meaty chicken flavor in vegan recipes, use the roasted vegetable bouillon instead of the normal one.
When substituting the vegetable bouillon cubes, dissolve them properly in boiling water first using the same method as the first substitute before adding to the recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long would the chicken base last once opened?
It would last for about five days when stored in an airtight container in a refrigerator.
Can I use soy sauce for the chicken base instead?
Yes, you can. It doesn’t carry the chicken flavor of the chicken base, but it helps bring umami and salty flavors to your recipes which is something chicken base does.
Is chicken stock powder the same as chicken cubes?
Yes, it is. The chicken powder is just like a crushed version of chicken stock cubes.
Conclusion
Chicken base is indeed a unique ingredient because it has been carefully simmered down to a thicker consistency rich in chicken flavor, there is no perfect substitute for it, but there are still some ingredients that come close to it and would still give you final results close to what the chicken base would give in recipes.
So, if you ever run out, you can try any of the ones listed above in this article to see what works best in your recipe.