πŸ”₯ Chicken Broth Recipe – Delicious & Easy

by | May 21, 2024 | Chicken Recipes

A batch of homemade chicken broth can make up to 24 cups. This recipe is a favorite for many, like the author. They enjoyed homemade chicken broth since they were young. For them, it’s a cup full of nostalgia. Each sip or spoonful brings comfort, making them feel like they’re wrapped in warmth.

Each person has their way of making chicken broth. The author loves their mom’s version the most. They have even tested many other recipes. This recipe stands out for its simplicity yet richness. It turns out an aromatic, golden broth. You can use it in various dishes or enjoy a plain warm cup.

Key Takeaways

  • Homemade chicken broth is a versatile and nourishing ingredient with a comforting, nostalgic flavor.
  • The recipe calls for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and aromatic vegetables to create a flavorful and nutrient-dense broth.
  • Simmering the broth for at least 7-8 hours is crucial for extracting maximum flavor and nutrients.
  • Homemade chicken broth can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups and stews to risottos and chilis.
  • Properly storing the broth in the freezer can extend its shelf life for up to 3 months.

The Comforting Magic of Homemade Chicken Broth

Homemade chicken broth brings back memories of a grandmother’s kitchen for the author. It’s said to have a “healing power.” This makes the author feel better when having soup or just sipping the broth. It’s more than just a flavorful drink. It carries emotional and comfort-giving elements, able to connect the drinker to fond memories. This deepens their sense of well-being.

A Nostalgic Journey to Grandma’s Kitchen

The author finds deep comfort in homemade chicken broth from their childhood. They remember their grandmother’s kitchen fondly. This special comforting chicken broth offers not just warmth but a return to a simpler time. A time when the smell and taste of this recipe brought joy and comfort.

The Healing Power of Broth

This healing chicken broth is known for its comforting and restorative effects. Studies show it can reduce flu and cold symptoms by lowering white blood cells. The author agrees, claiming it improves how they feel during sickness both physically and mentally.

Chicken broth recipes

chicken broth recipe ingredients

The Essential Ingredients

For a tasty and healthy chicken broth recipe, picking the best ingredients is key. Included are bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks. They add a rich flavor to the broth.

Don’t forget the aromatic vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions. They work together to give the broth its delicious taste.

1. Classic Chicken Broth

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole chicken (5-6 pounds)
  • 1/2 onion
  • 1 stalk celery
  • 1 carrot
  • 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 8–10 sprigs fresh parsley
  • 5 whole garlic cloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons whole peppercorns
  • 8–10 cups water

Instructions:

  1. Prepare Chicken: Remove the neck, liver, and heart from inside the chicken’s cavity. Rinse the chicken with cool water.
  2. Chop Vegetables: Halve the onion, celery, and carrot.
  3. Combine Ingredients: In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, add the chicken, vegetables, herbs, salt, and peppercorns. Add enough water to cover the chicken by at least 1/4 inch.
  4. Bring to a Boil: Heat on medium-high to high until boiling. Reduce the heat to medium to maintain a low boil.
  5. Skim Foam: Use a spoon to skim any foam that forms on the surface of the broth, doing this for about 5 minutes.
  6. Simmer: Cover the pot and let it simmer for 2 hours, maintaining a low boil.
  7. Cool and Strain: Turn off the heat and let it cool for at least 20 minutes. Remove the chicken and vegetables from the pot. Strain the broth to remove any debris.
  8. Store: Pour the broth into jars or freezer-safe containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to 6 months.

2. Slow Cooker Chicken Broth

Ingredients:

  • 2.5 pounds bone-in chicken pieces (thighs, legs, wings)
  • 6 cups water
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 3 carrots, chopped (no need to peel)
  • 1 yellow onion, quartered (don’t peel)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

Instructions:

  1. Add Ingredients: Place chicken pieces in the slow cooker. Add water, celery, carrots, onion, garlic, and parsley.
  2. Cook: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours.
  3. Strain: Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve to remove solids.
  4. Store: Pour into jars or freezer-safe containers. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

3. Instant Pot Chicken Broth

Ingredients:

  • 1 chicken carcass
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon peppercorns
  • Water (to the max line)

Instructions:

  1. Combine Ingredients: Place the chicken carcass, onion, garlic, celery, carrots, bay leaves, and peppercorns in the Instant Pot.
  2. Add Water: Fill with water up to the max line.
  3. Cook: Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. Allow a natural release.
  4. Strain: Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve.
  5. Store: Pour into jars or freezer-safe containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to 6 months.

4. Roasted Chicken Broth

Ingredients:

  • Bones from a roasted chicken
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 10 sprigs fresh parsley
  • Water (to cover)

Instructions:

  1. Roast Bones: Place chicken bones on a baking sheet and roast in a 400Β°F oven for 20-30 minutes until browned.
  2. Combine Ingredients: Transfer roasted bones to a large pot. Add onion, garlic, celery, carrots, bay leaves, thyme, parsley, and enough water to cover.
  3. Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 4-6 hours.
  4. Strain: Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve.
  5. Store: Pour into jars or freezer-safe containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to 6 months.

5. Herbed Chicken Broth

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole chicken
  • 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 8 sprigs fresh parsley
  • 5 garlic cloves
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Water (to cover)

Instructions:

  1. Combine Ingredients: Place the whole chicken, rosemary, thyme, parsley, garlic, onion, celery, carrots, and bay leaves in a large pot.
  2. Add Water: Add enough water to cover the ingredients by at least 1 inch.
  3. Bring to a Boil: Heat on medium-high until boiling. Reduce heat to a simmer.
  4. Simmer: Cover and simmer for 2-3 hours.
  5. Strain: Remove the chicken and vegetables. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve.
  6. Store: Pour into jars or freezer-safe containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to 6 months.

Bone-In Chicken for Maximum Flavor

The use of bone-in chicken is essential. It extracts the most flavor and nutrients, making the broth top-notch. The bones add collagen and gelatin. These make the broth smooth and pack a lot of health benefits into each spoonful.

Skin-on chicken enhances the flavor further. It ensures the bone-in chicken broth is deep and full-bodied.

Aromatic Vegetables: The Supporting Cast

Although chicken takes the lead, aromatic vegetables are crucial in this recipe. Carrots, celery, onions, and garlic boost flavor. They also add important health benefits.

Garlic, for example, can help fight off viruses. This is great during the cold and flu season. Together, these veggies balance the broth’s flavor perfectly.

Broth vs. Stock: Demystifying the Debate

In the cooking world, people often talk about the differences between chicken broth and chicken stock. The author here uses these terms almost the same. That’s because the exact difference isn’t always clear.

Chicken broth usually comes from simmering chicken meat. It’s thin and has a gold color. This makes it great for adding flavor to many meals. Chicken stock, on the other hand, is made from boiling chicken bones without the meat. It turns into a thicker liquid. This happens because the bones release collagen.

For the author, using chicken broth or chicken stock does not always matter. What’s important is making a liquid that tastes great. This can improve the flavors and textures of soups, sauces, and more.

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfection

chicken broth cooking process

To make the perfect homemade chicken broth, start with a big pot, like a Dutch oven. This fits all the ingredients needed. Begin by boiling the chicken for 10 minutes. This brings the fat to the top, making it easy to remove with a spoon.

Choosing the Right Pot

Add aromatic vegetables next, like carrots, celery, and onions, plus bay leaves and peppercorns. Let it simmer on low heat for at least 7 hours, but 8 hours is better. This time brings out the most flavor.

Skimming the Scum

Simmering for a long time is key. It lets you skim off impurities and make the broth rich. This is essential for a tasty, clear broth that’s good for many dishes.

Simmering for Depth of Flavor

Following this guide ensures a great tasting, nutritious chicken broth. The author’s detailed steps highlight how to maximize flavor. This method creates the ideal homemade chicken broth, perfect for any dish.

Versatile and Nourishing

chicken broth in recipes

Homemade chicken broth is a key ingredient in many dishes. It’s perfect for pastina or as a warm drink on its own. You can also use it in soups, stews, risottos, chilis, and other recipes that call for chicken broth. The author says it’s a must-have pantry staple that makes meals taste better and healthier.

Soups, Sauces, and More

Homemade chicken broth can be in lots of cooking. It’s great for soups and also adds a tasty start to sauces and gravies. By using chicken broth, your meals become more flavorful and nutritious.

A Versatile Pantry Staple

This versatile pantry staple is great to have at home. It comes in handy for simple or complex dishes. With chicken broth, cooking becomes delicious and full of nutrients.

Storage and Freezing Tips

Preserving Homemade Chicken Broth

After your homemade chicken broth cools, it’s time to save it for later. The best way is to use airtight containers. You can pick Tupperware, jars, or freezer bags. This keeps the broth fresh.

Preserving the Liquid Gold

You can keep the broth fresh in the fridge for 3 days. But, for more time, freezing is ideal. It’s a great way to preserve the homemade chicken broth. The author loves to call it “liquid gold”. This is because it’s so tasty and nutritious. Freezing also means you can freeze chicken broth and store homemade chicken broth for a long time.

Storage Method Shelf Life
Refrigerated Up to 3 days
Frozen Up to 6 months
Canned Up to 1 year or more

By keeping the broth in the fridge or freezing it, the author always has it around. It’s perfect for making dishes better or enjoying by itself.

The Convenience of Homemade

Making your own chicken broth at home is smart and budget-friendly. The writer of this tasty recipe offers a great way to use up extra chicken parts and veggies. This lets you make a healthy broth to use all week.

Utilizing Leftovers and Scraps

Instead of throwing away leftover chicken, the writer saves the bones, skin, and juices in the freezer. After a while, there’s a nice stock of ingredients ready to go. This helps reduce waste and keeps a good supply of tasty broth ingredients around.

Saving Time and Money

Buying chicken broth from the store all the time can be costly. Making your own at home not only saves money but saves time, too. By using what’s already on hand, the author turns leftover parts into a delicious broth. This homemade option is always available, making cooking easier and more enjoyable.

Nutritional Benefits of Bone Broth

Homemade chicken broth, or bone broth, is very tasty and full of good things. The cooking process pulls out helpful nutrients and compounds from the bones. These include collagen, gelatin, and various minerals. Such a mix is a “nutrient-dense elixir” bringing several health benefits. It plays a big role in healing and restoring health, especially for the immune system and overall wellness.

A Nutrient-Dense Elixir

Each cup of bone broth offers less than 5% of the daily need for calcium and magnesium. Collagen becomes gelatin as it cooks, giving amino acids essential for joint health. Glycine and arginine, found in bone broth, fight inflammation. A study from 2015 showed that collagen supplements, alongside exercise, boosted muscle and cut body fat in men. Drinking bone broth might make you feel full, helping you eat fewer calories. It could be good for weight management. Adding bone broth to your diet could also improve how well you sleep. A dose of 500-1700 mg of glycine in each cup seems to do the trick.

Nutrient Beef Bone Broth (per cup)
Calories 39
Protein 9 grams
Fat 1 gram
Carbohydrates 0 grams
Fiber 0 grams
Sugar 0 grams

Bone broth is a good way to get protein, offering around 10 grams in each serving. A serving of bone broth protein powder has about 20 grams of protein. It also has small amounts of calcium, iron, and potassium. While bone broth does carry some risks like lead and bacteria, when made and kept well, it’s safe to enjoy.

Variations and Customizations

Even though the author has a specific chicken broth recipe, they know each batch might be different. You can change the chicken broth based on what you have and what you like. Try using different chicken parts, veggie scraps, and spices to make your homemade chicken broth special.

Change the recipe by adding different veggies like celery, shallots, and garlic. Also, try various herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Using filtered water is recommended for the best taste and health benefits in the chicken broth recipe variations.

Using leftover rotisserie chicken bones and carcasses can make a delicious chicken broth. This method saves money by not having to buy bones or cook a whole chicken. It lets you make customizing chicken broth to meet your own tastes.

Cooking Method Approximate Cooking Time
Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker Less than 3 hours
Slow Cooker 8-12 hours
Stovetop Simmering 3-8 hours

The writer also talks about using an Instant Pot, slow cooker, or the stove for chicken broth recipe variations. Each method has its own cooking time for the best flavor. By trying these chicken broth customization tips, you can adjust the broth to fit your tastes and cooking styles.

Conclusion

This homemade chicken broth recipe is not only delicious but also easy to make. It’s perfect for adding flavor to many dishes. There are also a lot of health benefits from using this broth. The writer shares why this recipe is special, connecting it to memories and healing.

Following the instructions and using leftovers make homemade chicken broth both convenient and budget-friendly. This recipe shows how versatile and nutritious the broth is. It encourages people to use it in their everyday meals for taste and health.

The details and the writer’s love for this recipe show how making your own broth is rewarding. Readers will see the positive side of making this staple at home. It will become an essential part of their cooking, adding richness and nutrients to their food.

FAQ

What are the essential ingredients for the author’s homemade chicken broth recipe?

For the best homemade broth, you’ll need chicken thighs and drums. Also, add in carrots, celery, onions, and garlic. Don’t forget about bay leaves and peppercorns.

What is the difference between chicken broth and chicken stock?

Chicken broth has the chicken meat, making it thinner and golden. Stock is thicker without meat, thanks to its collagen from bone extract. The author uses “stock” and “broth” to mean the same thing.

What is the step-by-step guide for making the perfect homemade chicken broth?

The perfect broth starts by boiling the chicken for 10 minutes. This helps remove any surface fat. Next, add the veggies, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Simmer this mix on low for at least 7 hours, aiming for 8, to get the best flavor.

How can homemade chicken broth be used in various dishes?

Use this homemade broth in soups, stews, or risottos. It’s also great for chilis. The author loves it for making pastina or enjoying it from a mug.

How should homemade chicken broth be stored and preserved?

After cooling, store your broth in airtight containers. This might be tupperware, jars, or ziplock bags for the freezer. It’s good in the fridge for 3 days or up to 3 months frozen.

What are the benefits of making homemade chicken broth?

Making your own bone broth is super healthy. It’s full of good nutrients from the bones. Plus, it’s easy and cheaper than constantly buying store-bought broths.

Can the homemade chicken broth recipe be customized or varied?

Definitely. The author says each batch of broth can be a bit different. You can mix up the ingredients like chicken parts and veggies to suit what you have or your taste.