It can be frustrating to run out of chicken bouillon granules, as they store easily and be used in place of virtually any chicken stock or broth. Sometimes, they can be hard to find at the store or you may miss them in your kitchen pantry.
Regardless of the reason when you don’t have access to chicken bouillon granules, some substitutes that will do the trick include chicken broth, chicken stock, chicken bouillon cubes, or poultry seasoning.
When you want a taste of home or a comforting dish, chicken bouillon granules and their alternatives are sure to do the trick.
You won’t be surprised that many of the substitutes for chicken bouillon granules are actually other chicken products. Encompassing the same homey taste we all love, chicken bouillon granules are quite replaceable.
1. Chicken Broth
Available in cans or in boxes on store shelves, chicken broth is shelf-stable and should be a staple in any home’s pantry. It’s versatility is what makes it so great, but its ability to replace chicken bouillon granules is also appreciated.
Whether you’re looking to make a hearty chicken pot pie or a warming chicken noodle soup, chicken broth can be used to thin out a roux or add flavor. You can even make your own chicken broth at home by straining the liquid you’ve cooked a chicken in and refrigerating it or freezing it.
Many people do not know the difference between chicken stock and chicken broth, but the stock is made from chicken bones whereas broth is made with meat or vegetables. Chicken stock is a thicker liquid replacement for chicken bouillon granules that have been mixed with water.
Since bones are used to create chicken stock, it results in a thicker liquid than chicken broth or chicken bouillon granules and water. You can even make your own homemade chicken stock at home by following these steps:
Combine 4 lbs. of chicken, 1 large onion, a tablespoon of olive oil, 2 quarts of boiling water, 2 teaspoons of salt, cayenne or black pepper, and 2 bay leaves in a large pot.
Bring to a boil on a stovetop.
Reduce and simmer partially covered for four hours.
Skim off foam as it rises to the surface.
Simmer an hour or two longer to make a more concentrated stock.
Use a slotted spoon or ladle to remove the remaining vegetables and bones.
Strain the stock through a fine sieve to remove any additional residue.
3. Chicken Bouillon Cubes
Made by the same companies and incorporating the same ingredients, chicken bouillon cubes and granules are interchangeable. Both of them are basically chicken stock that has been dried out and either pressed or granulated.
Granules are obviously the ground version of dried chicken stock and are left in jars for easy access. However, they are more susceptible to damage by moisture that may leak into the jar. Chicken bouillon cubes are a bit more protected by their wrapping and are finer in their texture.
That earthy and deep flavor that chicken bouillon granules are known for giving dishes can also be found in poultry seasoning. Produced as a salt, poultry seasoning is easily found and quite affordable. It can be sprinkled atop chicken when cooking or used as a seasoning within another mixture.
Ground up chicken bouillon granules can even be used to make poultry seasoning, but obviously we are looking for a replacement in this case. The seasonings in chicken bouillon granules are pretty much the core ingredients for poultry seasoning, so of all the substitutes this is the closest to chicken bouillon granules.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for an alternative to chicken bouillon granules in your local grocery store or plan on making a homemade replacement, you’ve got a few poultry-based options to choose from. Chicken broth, chicken stock, poultry seasoning, and chicken bouillon cubes make the best replacement for chicken bouillon granules when you can’t find this versatile ingredient.
