Description

This recipe provides a simple guide to making rich, golden aromatic chicken broth from scratch. It uses core ingredients like chicken bones, vegetables, and herbs, simmered slowly to create a flavorful base for various dishes.

Ingredients

2–3 lbs chicken bones or carcass
2 medium carrots, roughly chopped
2 stalks celery, roughly chopped
1 large onion, quartered
4–5 whole garlic cloves, smashed
2 dried bay leaves
0.25 cup fresh parsley, stems and all
3–4 fresh thyme sprigs
1 Tbsp whole black peppercorns
12–16 cups cold water
(Optional) 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

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Instructions

Prep Your Ingredients: Roughly chop carrots, celery, and onion. (Optional: roast chicken bones on a 13×9 inch baking sheet at 400F (200C) for 20-30 minutes until lightly browned to deepen flavor and color.)
Combine in a Pot: Place roasted (or raw) chicken bones, chopped vegetables, smashed garlic, bay leaves, parsley, thyme, and peppercorns in a large 8-quart (7.5-liter) stockpot.
Cover with Water: Add enough cold water to cover all ingredients by about 2 inches (5 cm).
Bring to a Gentle Simmer: Heat on medium-high until it just barely starts to simmer (about 15-20 minutes). Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface.
Simmer Low and Slow: Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and let the stock simmer for 4-6 hours (or up to 8 hours for maximum flavor extraction). Avoid boiling vigorously to prevent cloudiness. If liquid level drops too much, add 0.5 cup hot water to maintain coverage.
Strain the Broth: Carefully strain the chicken broth through a fine-mesh sieve or colander lined with cheesecloth into a clean, heat-proof container. Discard all solids.
Cool and Store: Let the homemade chicken broth cool completely at room temperature (about 2-3 hours) before transferring it to airtight containers. Refrigerate immediately for best freshness.

Notes

For a quicker method, use an Instant Pot (pressure cook high for 45-60 minutes, natural release 15 minutes). For a slow cooker, cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Ensure a gentle simmer to avoid cloudy broth and skim impurities. Use fresh, firm vegetables and store bones in the freezer until ready to use. If broth lacks flavor, simmer longer or use more bones next time.

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 375 minutes
Category: Stock
Method: Stovetop Simmering
Cuisine: General

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
Calories: 20 calories
Sugar: 0 g
Sodium: 80 mg
Fat: 1 g
Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 1 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 2 g
Cholesterol: 3 mg