Homemade Chicken Bouillon Powder (Easy Pantry Shortcut)

This homemade chicken bouillon powder is a simple pantry shortcut that adds rich, savory flavor to soups, stews, rice, and everyday cooking. It's made with nutritional yeast and dried herbs, takes minutes to prepare, and works just like store-bought bouillon, without preservatives or additives.

Mason jar with spoon and chicken bouillon powder mixture

Recipe Overview

Every time I reach for chicken bouillon at the grocery store, I end up putting it back. Unless you're buying a pricey organic version, most store-bought options are packed with additives and preservatives.

The good news is that making your own chicken bouillon powder at home is incredibly easy. You only need a few pantry spices and nutritional yeast. Everything gets blended into a dry seasoning you can keep on hand and use anytime a recipe calls for chicken broth or bouillon.

What Readers Are Saying:

"This was so tasty! Thank you so much for creating this. I'm so sick of all the added junk in other brands, so I'm happy to be able to have a homemade version. I only added ¼ teaspoon of pepper, and it was great - still peppery, but not overpowering for my kids."

Why Is This Called Chicken Bouillon If There's No Chicken?

This homemade chicken bouillon powder doesn't contain actual chicken, just like many store-bought chicken bouillon cubes and powders. Most commercial versions rely on salt, flavorings, and yeast extracts to create that familiar chicken-style flavor.

In this recipe, nutritional yeast combined with herbs and spices creates a rich, savory, umami flavor that tastes surprisingly close to chicken broth. It's a plant-based alternative that works well for soups, rice, casseroles, and everyday cooking.

How Much Bouillon Powder Do You Use Per Cup of Water?

A good starting point is:

1 teaspoon bouillon powder per 1 cup (8 oz) of hot water

Stir until dissolved, then taste and adjust as needed. Some people prefer a stronger or saltier flavor, especially when using it for sipping or soups.

You can also add this bouillon powder directly to recipes like soups, rice, casseroles, sauces, or gravies instead of mixing it with water first.

Various spices in bowls including dried roesemary, oregano, basil, salt and pepper and nutritional yeast

Recipe Ingredients 👇👇

1 cup nutritional yeast - This is what gives the bouillon its savory, chicken-style flavor. Look for flakes or powder.
2 Tbsp onion powder - Adds depth and that classic bouillon base flavor.
2 Tbsp garlic powder - Use garlic powder, not garlic salt, so you can control the salt level.
2 Tbsp dried oregano
2 Tbsp dried basil
2 Tbsp dried rosemary - Use dried rosemary for the best shelf life. You can grind it finer if you prefer a smoother texture.
1 Tbsp salt - Start here and adjust to taste if you prefer a saltier bouillon.
1 Tbsp ground black pepper

How To Make Chicken Bouillon Powder 👇👇

Three images of a blender with various spices inside in a yellow powder

STEP 1: Add Ingredients

Add 1 cup nutritional yeast, 2 Tbsp onion powder, 2 Tbsp garlic powder, 2 Tbsp dried oregano, 2 Tbsp dried basil, 2 Tbsp dried rosemary, 1 Tbsp salt, 1 Tbsp ground black pepper to a high speed blender or food processor.

STEP 2: Blend and Store

Blend until the spices turn into a fine powder or until your desired texture (I like mine to have a little bit of chunkier pieces left). Pour into a mason jar and seal tightly with a lid. Give the spice mix a quick shake before using in any of your recipes.

Spoon in a bowl with chicken bouillon powder

What You Can Use Chicken Bouillon Powder For:

This recipe is super versatile and can be used in so many dishes to add that savory flavor!

Homemade Broths & Stocks - Simmer the bouillon powder with water to make an instant chicken broth for soups and stews, or any recipe that calls for liquid.
Soups & Stews - Stir it into your favorite soup for a chicken broth flavor. It's perfect in chicken noodle soup and veggie soups.
Rice & Grains - Boost the flavor of rice, quinoa, or couscous by cooking with 1 tsp of bouillon powder.
Vegetable Roasts - Toss veggies (like potatoes, carrots, or cauliflower) with some olive oil and bouillon powder before roasting. It adds that extra layer of savory goodness.
Mashed Potatoes - Add a spoonful of bouillon powder while making mashed potatoes.
Cheesy Casseroles - Add it to the sauce in your casseroles, like chicken and rice or mac and cheese.
Gravy - You can use it as a base for homemade gravy. Just add a little bouillon powder to your pan drippings and make gravy like you normally do.
Sauces & Marinades - Stir it into marinades for chicken, beef, or tofu, or mix it into sauces like Alfredo or tomato sauce for extra flavor.
Popcorn Seasoning - Nutritional yeast is a favorite on popcorn, which is why this bouillon powder works great too! Sprinkle it over freshly popped popcorn for a delicious, savory snack.

How To Store Leftovers

In Pantry - A mason jar is perfect for storing your bouillon powder! Just seal it tightly and keep it in a cool, dark place, and it will last for over 6 months. Remember to give it a good shake before opening and using for recipes.

Recipe Tips

Adjust the salt to taste. Some readers prefer a saltier bouillon, especially if they're used to store-bought versions. Start with less and add more if needed.
Customize the pepper. If the flavor feels too peppery, reduce the amount slightly or swap in ground rosemary or thyme.
Blend until fine. A finer powder dissolves more easily in hot water and recipes.
Shake before using. Ingredients can settle over time, so give the jar a quick shake before scooping.
Store in an airtight container. Keeping moisture out helps maintain flavor and shelf life.

A plate with different spices organized into little piles

FAQs

Why is this bouillon powder only shelf-stable for about 6 months?

Because this recipe doesn't contain preservatives or anti-caking agents, its shelf life is shorter than commercial bouillon. Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, it stays fresh for up to 6 months. If it starts clumping or losing aroma, it's best to discard it and make a fresh batch.

Where can I find nutritional yeast?

Nutritional yeast is usually found in the baking aisle, spice section, or health food area of most grocery stores. You can also find it at health food stores or order it online.

Can I sip this like broth?

Yes. Several readers enjoy mixing the bouillon powder with hot water and sipping it to make a broth. Just adjust the amount to suit your taste.