Chicken bouillon has long been a staple in kitchen pantries, loved for its ability to add rich, savory flavor to soups, stews, rice dishes, sauces, and more. But beyond just taste, this unassuming little cube has some powerful health benefits that may surprise you.
In this article, we’ll explore what exactly chicken bouillon is, why it’s so good for you, and how to incorporate it into your diet Read on to learn why this handy ingredient deserves a permanent spot in your pantry or fridge.
What Is Chicken Bouillon?
To make chicken bouillon, you simmer chicken meat, bones, and vegetables in water to get flavor out of them. It is then dried out and squished to make bouillon cubes, powders, or pastes that we know and love.
Bouillon can add a big boost of flavor because it’s more concentrated than regular broth or stock. It also has a longer shelf life and takes up less storage space.
Even though chicken bouillon tastes salty and savory, it has a lot less sodium than regular table salt. The natural glutamates in the chicken and vegetables give it a rich, salty taste.
Top 6 Health Benefits of Chicken Bouillon
1. Provides Electrolytes
Chicken bouillon contains electrolyte minerals like sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium
Electrolytes are essential for nerve transmission, muscle function, hydration, blood pressure regulation, and more Consuming bouillon can help replenish electrolytes lost through sweat, stress, or illness
2. Supports Immune Function
Chicken bouillon delivers selenium, zinc, and vitamin B6 – all nutrients vital for proper immune system function.
Selenium boosts the production of white blood cells that fight infection. Zinc is critical for immune cell development. And B6 enables antibody production.
Together, these key micronutrients in bouillon can help ward off pathogens and prevent disease.
3. Eases Digestion
It has been shown that the gelatin in chicken bouillon can reduce inflammation in the gut and strengthen the gut barrier.
Gelatin acts as a demulcent – it forms a protective coat over mucous membranes in the throat and stomach. This can provide relief from discomfort caused by acid reflux, ulcers, or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Protects Joints
Chicken bouillon contains collagen, the main structural protein in connective tissues like cartilage and tendons.
Regular collagen consumption can improve joint mobility and flexibility by increasing the synthesis of collagen in the body. This may help reduce painful inflammation in joints caused by arthritis.
5. Strengthens Bones
Chicken bouillon delivers calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and other bone-strengthening minerals.
These minerals make bones stronger and less likely to become deficient, which can cause osteoporosis or broken bones later on.
6. Supports Heart Health
The potassium in chicken bouillon helps counterbalance sodium to maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
Potassium also reduces stiffness in arteries, allowing better blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart. This may lower the risk of heart attack and stroke.
How to Use Chicken Bouillon
Chicken bouillon is incredibly versatile. Here are some simple ways to use it:
- Make quick broth for soups by whisking bouillon into hot water
- Use it as a seasoning base for grains like rice, quinoa, or couscous
- Add it to sauces, gravies, casseroles, and stir-fries
- Mix it into ground meat for extra moistness and flavor
- Substitute it for salt when cooking vegetables
- Add cubes to beans while cooking to boost flavor
- Whisk it into mushroom or tomato pasta sauces
- Use it to make savory bread or muffin batters
- Make pan sauces by whisking bouillon into pan drippings
Buying and Storing Chicken Bouillon
When shopping, look for low-sodium or no-salt-added varieties to limit excess sodium intake. Also check the ingredients list and avoid bouillons with additives like MSG.
Opt for organic, free-range, or pasture-raised chicken bouillon whenever possible for superior nutrition and flavor.
Properly stored, bouillon cubes or powders will stay fresh for up to 2 years in the pantry. Once reconstituted into broth, chicken bouillon should be refrigerated and used within 4-5 days.
Make Your Own Chicken Bouillon
You can easily make wholesome homemade chicken bouillon using just a few simple ingredients:
Ingredients:
- Leftover chicken bones/carcass
- Chicken feet or wings (optional)
- Vegetable scraps (onion, carrot, celery, parsley, etc.)
- Whole black peppercorns
- Apple cider vinegar
- Bay leaves
- Salt (optional)
Instructions:
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Place chicken bones/carcass in a large pot and cover with water. Add wings/feet if desired.
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Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 hours, skimming foam as needed.
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Add vegetable scraps, peppercorns, vinegar, and bay leaves and simmer 30 mins more.
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Strain through a fine mesh sieve. Add salt if desired.
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Return broth to pot and simmer until reduced by half.
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Let cool completely then pour into ice cube trays and freeze. Pop out cubes and store in an airtight container.
The Bottom Line
Plain-looking chicken bouillon cubes pack a hearty dose of vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, protein, and other nutrients vital to health. Beyond just flavoring food, chicken bouillon offers many benefits – from stronger immunity to healthier bones and joints.
With so many perks, it’s easy to see why chicken bouillon deserves a spot on your shopping list. Incorporate it into soups, grains, sauces, and more to amplify nutrition while adding delicious depth of flavor. Your body and tastebuds will thank you.
Are there any health concerns when using chicken broth and chicken bouillon?
There do seem to be some health benefits to consuming chicken broth and chicken bouillon, especially as the base of a chicken soup when you’re sick. However, there are a couple of things to be aware of before you break out the soup pot.
High in sodium
A major concern with chicken bouillon and store-bought chicken broths is the amount of sodium they contain. Sodium is an essential mineral and an important component of a healthy diet. However, diets that are consistently high in sodium carry a risk of causing high blood pressure.
High blood pressure , also known as hypertension, occurs when there is too much water in the bloodstream. Since sodium attracts water, too much of it can lead to high blood pressure , which can eventually damage organs and lead to conditions such as heart disease and stroke.
To reduce your sodium intake, choose low-sodium options when purchasing pre-made bouillon and broth. High sodium chicken bouillon can also be diluted with more water to reduce the sodium content — use about 1. 5 cups of water per cube instead of 1 cup.
Even better, make your own. Its easiest to control the sodium levels of homemade chicken broth by adjusting the amount of salt you add to it.
May contain MSG
One potential concern regarding chicken bouillon is that many formulations contain monosodium glutamate, or MSG. MSG is a food additive that helps give foods a deep, savory umami flavor. MSG occurs naturally in foods and is typically isolated from fermented starches or sugar . Glutamate, the base component of MSG, occurs naturally in the body.
While MSG is regarded as safe to eat when consumed in suggested serving sizes, it may cause negative reactions like nausea and dizziness in large doses.
What’s the difference between chicken broth and chicken bouillon?
While chicken broth and chicken bouillon are typically interchangeable in a recipe, there are certain differences between the two. Each offer slightly different nutritional profiles and health benefits.
There are three types of chicken broth: chicken bouillon, chicken stock, and chicken broth. They are all used as soup and stew bases or to add flavor to other recipes. The main difference between them is the manner in which they’re prepared.
Chicken stock
You can make chicken stock by slowly simmering raw or roasted chicken bones for up to 8 hours. This gives it the strongest flavor of the three. As the bones stew, they release gelatin. When you add vegetables and herbs to the pot with the gelatin, you get a stock that has a lot of body and deep flavors.
Chicken broth
Technically, chicken broth is made by stewing the meat of the bird instead of its bones. Since the meat doesn’t release gelatin, the final broth usually has a less intense flavor than a stock.
Chicken bouillon
While chicken broth and stock can be store-bought or homemade, chicken bouillon is typically bought. Bouillon is made by removing the water from chicken broth, leaving all the flavor of the broth without the volume. Bouillon is typically sold as a loose powder or compact cube, which can be redissolved in boiling water to create an instant broth.
Shelf stability
One benefit of using chicken bouillon is its shelf stability. It can last for months at a time, making it a convenient staple to keep in your pantry. Meanwhile, chicken broth, either homemade or store-bought, should be used within a few days of making it or opening the package.
Is Bone Broth good for gut health? | Ask Gundry MD
FAQ
Is chicken bouillon good for you?
Chicken bouillon is a quick and easy way to add chicken flavor to food, but it’s not very healthy and has a lot of sodium.
Does chicken bouillon have nutritional value?
While chicken bouillon does contain some nutrients like copper and selenium, it is generally considered to have low nutritional value and is high in sodium.
Is bouillon anti-inflammatory?
A study done on mice in 2021 also found that the amino acids in bone broth can help reduce inflammation, which may help protect the gut from damage caused by ulcerative colitis. With all of these benefits, drinking bone broth may be good for people with a number of digestive problems.
What is a potential downside of using bouillon cubes?
It concludes that there is high risk of excessive sodium intake through the consumption of bouillon cubes, which have been shown to be highest contributors …Oct 15, 2024
Is chicken bouillon good for cooking?
Chicken bouillon can be a convenient and versatile ingredient to keep on hand. In fact, it can help add flavor to a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, pastas, and casseroles. Plus, it’s highly concentrated and requires less storage space than regular stock, making it a good option for those with smaller kitchens.
What is chicken bouillon used for?
Although chicken bouillon is most commonly found in the form of dry cubes, it’s also available as a paste, powder, or liquid. It can be stirred into soups and sauces or mixed with liquids to form a broth, which can be used to flavor dumplings, curries, casseroles, and pasta dishes. Summary Chicken bouillon is made from dehydrated chicken broth.
Can you omit chicken bouillon?
You can also omit chicken bouillon and increase the flavor of dishes using extra spices and seasonings. Chicken bouillon can be a convenient and versatile ingredient to keep on hand. In fact, it can help add flavor to a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, pastas, and casseroles.
What is chicken bouillon made of?
It also includes a variety of seasonings, such as turmeric, parsley, and coriander. In some cases, it may also contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), an ingredient used to enhance the flavor of certain dishes. Although chicken bouillon is most commonly found in the form of dry cubes, it’s also available as a paste, powder, or liquid.
Is Bouillon a good seasoning?
Bouillon is a popular choice among home cooks seeking quick and easy solutions for adding depth to their dishes. Besides being used to make soups, it can be employed as a seasoning to elevate the taste of sauces, gravies, rice, pasta, and a wide range of savory recipes.
Is chicken bouillon better than chicken stock?
It also requires less storage space and can last longer than chicken stock or broth once opened. Chicken bouillon is typically very high in sodium, with some types packing 42% of the recommended daily value (DV) in a single 1-cup (237-mL) serving (1).