For the longest time, cooks have used chicken bouillon granules to add flavor to various dishes.
They are often used in place of chicken broth. You get a similar flavor without the inconvenience of homemade chicken broth or the expense of canned chicken broth. The convenience of chicken bouillon granules is unmatched.
So what exactly are chicken bouillon granules? It is basically a mixture of chicken stock/broth, seasonings, fat, and vegetables. Manufacturers mix all these ingredients and then dehydrate the mixture.
This makes chicken bouillon granules a concentrated variety of chicken broth that has additional ingredients.
Let’s face it. Not every person can make their own chicken stock from scratch. It takes so much time, skill, and resources to make the stock the traditional way. Therefore, you may once in a while need a quick fix, that’s where chicken bouillon granules come in.
Personally, I believe chicken bouillon granules have a more sophisticated flavor compared to homemade chicken broth and the store-bought one. They have a rich umami flavor that elevates any dish it is added to.
Although chicken bouillon granules are a great addition to dishes, you may need to substitute them with something else for various reasons. Chicken broth, dry white wine, and water are the best substitutes for chicken bouillon granules. We will get into the details of these substitutes later on.
Just like any other product, chicken bouillon granules have their advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of using chicken bouillon granules
- Saves you money
Chicken bouillon granules is cheap compared to fresh chicken broth or canned chicken broth.
- Long shelf-life
My favorite thing about chicken bouillon granules is that they have a long shelf-life unlike fresh chicken broth or canned chicken broth.
- A little goes a long way
Because of its concentrated flavor, you only need to use a little bit for your dish to have that amazing chicken flavor.
Disadvantages of using chicken bouillon granules
- The flavor is different from that of fresh stock
Although the flavor of chicken bouillon granules mimics that of fresh stock, it is not the same. Your dish may not have the flavor that it usually has when you use fresh stock.
- May contain unhealthy amounts of salt and other additives
Being processed food, chicken bouillon granules may contain unhealthy amounts of sodium as well as other additives. Don’t use it too often for health reasons.
Uses of chicken bouillon granules
- Beer batters
You can use chicken bouillon granules in beer batters for fish or chicken. The granules enhance the flavor of your dish.
- Beans
Try using chicken bouillon granules instead of chicken stock or a ham hock while cooking beans. The results are amazing.
- Rice
If you like flavored rice, then you should definitely try adding some chicken granules. Use it in moderation because your rice may end up being too salty if you use too much.
- Gravy
Making gravy? Add some chicken bouillon granules for a rich umami flavor.
- Soups and stews
Chicken bouillon granules work best when used in stews and soups. Try adding some to your stew or soup for the best flavor.
Substitutes for chicken bouillon granules
Chicken bouillon granules are a convenient seasoning. However, you may need to substitute them with something else when you run out and have no time to rush to the grocery store.
The good news is that there are a few ingredients you can use as substitutes for chicken bouillon granules. Here are some of the substitutes.
- Chicken broth
Chicken broth is arguably the best substitute for chicken bouillon granules. You can either use homemade chicken broth or store-bought chicken broth. Personally, I prefer the homemade one because of the rich flavor.
Chicken broth adds a poultry-rich flavor to any dish it is added to. Thankfully, that is the exact flavor you usually go for when using chicken bouillon granules.
To use chicken broth as a substitute for chicken bouillon granules, you need to replace the amount of another liquid in your dish with chicken broth. For instance, if your recipe requires you to use one tablespoon of chicken bouillon granules and one cup of water, simply use one cup of chicken broth instead.
In case your recipe requires you to dissolve the chicken bouillon granules in one cup of water before adding it to your dish, simply replace it with one cup of chicken broth.
- Dry white wine
In case you do not have chicken broth in hand as well, do not panic. You still have other options. Dry white wine is another good substitute for chicken bouillon granules.
To use dry white wine as a substitute for chicken bouillon granules, you need to use specific measurements.
If a recipe requires you to dissolve a tablespoon of chicken granules in one cup of water, simply use a ¼ cup of dry white wine instead. Omit the remaining ¾ cup of water. However, if your dish seems dry, you can add a little bit of water to it.
The flavor may be mild compared to the one chicken bouillon granules will give you but your dish will still be tasty. Just make sure that you let your dish cook long enough for the alcohol to evaporate.
- Water
Yes, water can also be used as a substitute for chicken bouillon granules although it is not my go-to substitute. Unlike the other substitutes, water will not elevate the flavor of whatever dish you are making.
However, it will get the job done. To boost the flavor of your dish when using water as a substitute, simply increase the number of other seasonings that your recipe requires. Simply replace the amount of liquid in your recipe with water and let it cook.
In case you are keen on adding some flavor to the dish you can dissolve one tablespoon of poultry seasoning in the water before adding it to your dish. The flavor may not be the same but your dish will still be tasty.
It is important to note that when using water as a substitute, your dish may be less salty. You can counter this by adding more salt to your recipe.
