Is Canned Chicken Soup Keto Friendly? A Guide to Carb Content

December 11, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutrition data, a single can of condensed chicken noodle soup can contain over 20 grams of carbohydrates, making most mainstream options unsuitable for a ketogenic diet. Knowing what to look for and what to avoid is crucial for anyone wondering, "Is canned chicken soup keto friendly?"

Quick Summary

This article examines the carbohydrate content of canned chicken soups, revealing why most are not suitable for a keto diet due to hidden starches and fillers. It provides practical tips for finding genuinely low-carb options and modifying canned soups to fit ketogenic macros.

Key Points

High-Carb Fillers: Most canned chicken soups contain high-carb ingredients like noodles, rice, and starches that make them unsuitable for a keto diet.
Read Labels Carefully: Always check the nutrition label for net carbs (Total Carbs - Fiber) and avoid ingredients like modified corn starch and maltodextrin.
Seek Keto-Specific Brands: A few brands, like Progresso's Keto line or Kettle & Fire bone broths, offer genuinely low-carb canned or boxed options.
Modify Your Soup: You can make a broth-based canned soup keto friendly by adding heavy cream, butter, shredded chicken, and low-carb vegetables like cauliflower rice or kale.
The Homemade Alternative: Making your own keto chicken soup from scratch gives you full control over ingredients and macros, ensuring complete keto compliance.
Be Mindful of Sodium: Many processed soups, even low-carb ones, are high in sodium, so monitor your intake.

The Carb Conundrum: Why Most Canned Chicken Soups Are Not Keto Friendly

For those on a ketogenic diet, keeping daily net carb intake between 20 and 50 grams is essential for maintaining ketosis. This low-carb threshold makes traditional canned soups, including many chicken varieties, a risky choice. The primary culprits are the starchy ingredients used as fillers and thickeners.

Hidden High-Carb Ingredients to Watch For

Many conventional canned chicken soups contain ingredients that can quickly derail your keto progress. It is critical to read the nutrition labels carefully, as many manufacturers use cheap fillers to improve texture and shelf life. A short-list of ingredients to avoid includes:

Noodles and Rice: The most obvious source of carbohydrates, these are a non-starter for any strict keto follower.
Wheat Flour and Modified Corn Starch: These are frequently used as thickening agents in creamy and condensed soups, adding significant hidden carbs.
Maltodextrin and Added Sugars: Maltodextrin, derived from starches, can have a high glycemic index and spike blood sugar, potentially kicking you out of ketosis.
Potatoes, Lentils, and Beans: While vegetables, these starchy additions are too high in carbs for a keto diet.

Reading the Nutrition Label Like a Pro

To determine if a canned soup is genuinely keto-friendly, you must become a label detective. Beyond scanning the ingredient list for the offenders above, focus on the 'Total Carbohydrate' and 'Dietary Fiber' counts. The net carbs are what truly matter on a ketogenic diet (Net Carbs = Total Carbs - Dietary Fiber). For a quick meal, aim for a soup with under 15 grams of net carbs per serving, and be mindful of realistic portion sizes, as many cans contain multiple servings.

Finding and Making Keto-Friendly Canned Soups

While the search for a truly low-carb canned soup can be challenging, a few genuinely keto-friendly options are emerging on the market. Specialty brands often offer healthier, high-fat, and low-carb alternatives. Alternatively, you can use a base and enhance it at home to ensure it fits your macros perfectly.

Comparison of Common Canned Soups and Keto Alternatives


Soup Type (Brand)	Primary Carb Source	Net Carbs (Per Can)	Keto Friendliness	Notes
Campbell's Condensed Chicken Noodle	Noodles, wheat flour	~20g	Not Keto	High in sodium and carbs.
Progresso Traditional Chicken Noodle	Noodles, modified starch	~17g	Not Keto	Contains added sugar and maltodextrin.
Progresso Keto Creamy Cauliflower	N/A (Cauliflower base)	~10g	Keto-Friendly	Specifically formulated for keto, but check sodium.
Kettle & Fire Keto Broths	N/A (Bone broth)	<1g	Excellent	Low carb, often high in collagen and nutrients.
Homemade/Modified Broth	N/A	<5g	Customizable	Complete control over ingredients and macros.

Modifying a Canned Soup for Keto

If you find a canned soup with a low enough base carb count, like a plain chicken broth or a simple cream of mushroom (ensure it doesn't contain wheat flour), you can easily modify it. Consider these enhancements:

Boost the Fat: Stir in heavy cream, butter, or a scoop of cream cheese to increase the fat content.
Add Protein: Shredded rotisserie chicken, leftover cooked chicken, or diced ham can make a broth-based soup more substantial.
Incorporate Low-Carb Vegetables: Add spinach, kale, cauliflower rice, or shredded cabbage to add volume and nutrients without the carb load.
Enhance Flavor: Herbs, spices, or a dash of hot sauce can elevate the taste without adding carbs. A low-carb thickener like xanthan gum can also be used if needed.

The DIY Advantage

For ultimate control, making your own keto chicken soup from scratch is the best option. This allows you to select every ingredient, ensuring no hidden starches or sugars. By using bone broth, fresh chicken, and keto-friendly vegetables, you can create a delicious and compliant meal that perfectly fits your macros.

Conclusion

While the convenience of canned chicken soup is tempting, the vast majority of mainstream options are not keto friendly due to their high carbohydrate content from noodles, thickeners, and added sugars. Adopting a careful, label-reading approach is non-negotiable. For those seeking convenience, specific keto-branded soups and high-quality bone broths are available. However, for complete control and peace of mind, modifying low-carb bases or preparing your own homemade version is the most reliable strategy. By understanding the pitfalls and alternatives, you can still enjoy a comforting bowl of chicken soup without compromising your ketogenic goals.

Visit Freja Foods for more information on the keto diet and bone broth.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all canned soups are off-limits, but most traditional, mainstream varieties are. You must check the nutrition label for hidden carbs from noodles, rice, potatoes, and thickeners like wheat flour or cornstarch. Some specialty keto-branded soups and plain bone broths can be suitable.

The main reason is the inclusion of high-carbohydrate ingredients. The noodles are the most obvious offender, but thickeners like wheat flour or cornstarch also add a significant amount of hidden carbs, making it difficult to stay within your daily keto carb limit.

For most people following a ketogenic diet, a canned soup should ideally contain fewer than 15 grams of net carbs per serving. It is also important to consider realistic portion sizes, as many people consume the entire can, which may contain two or more servings.

Yes, you can modify it. If starting with a simple, low-carb broth, you can add cooked shredded chicken, heavy cream, butter, spinach, or cauliflower rice to increase fat and protein while keeping carbs low. This is a great way to bulk up a meal.

Yes, high-quality bone broths are generally very keto friendly. They are typically low in calories and carbohydrates while being rich in nutrients like collagen. They make an excellent base for homemade keto soups or can be consumed on their own.

You can use keto-friendly thickening agents such as xanthan gum, or simply add heavy cream or cream cheese, which will also increase the fat content. Blending some cooked cauliflower or adding pureed avocado can also add thickness and creaminess.

Yes, as the diet has become more popular, some brands have introduced specific keto-friendly lines. For example, Progresso offers a keto-friendly line, including a Creamy Cauliflower soup. Always double-check the nutrition label to confirm it fits your specific macros.