Homemade chicken broth is a flavorful and versatile base for countless dishes. Making your own chicken broth allows you to control the ingredients and create a rich, delicious, and nutritious liquid that can be used in soups, stews, sauces, and more.

Easy, Homemade Chicken Broth
While store-bought options are readily available, there’s nothing quite like the flavor and aroma of a rich, flavorful broth made from scratch.
Trust me when I say that once you try making your own chicken broth, you’ll never want to go back to the store-bought stuff. Not only is homemade chicken broth incredibly flavorful but it’s also packed with nutrients that can benefit your overall health.
Chicken Broth can be added as an ingredient in a lot of recipes, especially for soups and stews, as well as contribute to the base of some sauces, gravies, and other delicious dishes.
Why Make Your Own Broth?
While store-bought chicken broth can be a convenient option, making your own homemade chicken broth has several benefits:
- Flavor: Homemade chicken broth has a richer, deeper flavor than most store-bought varieties, which can make a noticeable difference in your dishes.
- Control over ingredients: When you make chicken broth from scratch, you have complete control over the ingredients that go into it. This means you can adjust the salt content, choose organic ingredients, or even cater to specific dietary needs.
- Nutrition: Homemade chicken broth is packed with nutrients, including collagen, amino acids, and minerals, which can support a healthy immune system, digestion, and joint health.
- Resourcefulness: Making your own chicken broth is a great way to use up leftover chicken bones, vegetable scraps, and fresh herbs, reducing food waste in your kitchen.

What is homemade chicken broth made of?
Each ingredient in the chicken broth recipe serves a specific purpose in terms of flavor, aroma, and nutrition:
- Chicken: The chicken, whether it’s a whole chicken or specific parts, provides the base flavor and essential nutrients for the broth, such as collagen, amino acids, and minerals.
- Onion: Onion adds a savory, sweet, and slightly pungent flavor to the broth, contributing to the overall depth of taste.
- Carrots: Carrots provide natural sweetness and color to the broth.
- Celery: Celery adds a mild, slightly bitter flavor and a hint of freshness to the broth.
- Garlic: Garlic contributes a pungent, aromatic flavor that complements the other ingredients.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a subtle, herbaceous note and a touch of brightness.
- Thyme: Thyme imparts a warm, earthy, and slightly minty flavor to the broth.
- Bay leaf: Bay leaf adds a subtle, slightly bitter, and herbal note to the broth.
- Black peppercorns: Whole black peppercorns provide a mild heat and a slightly pungent, aromatic flavor.
- Kosher salt: Salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and helps balance the overall taste of the broth.
- Cold water: Water serves as the liquid base for the broth, extracting flavors and nutrients from the other ingredients during the simmering process.
How to make easy, homemade chicken broth
- Prepare ingredients: Clean chicken; rinse and chop vegetables into large chunks.
- Combine ingredients: In a stockpot, add chicken, vegetables, herbs, and spices; cover with cold water.
- Bring to a simmer: Heat over medium-high heat, skimming off foam and impurities.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 2-3 hours without boiling.
- Strain: Remove from heat and strain, discarding solids.
- Cool: Allow to cool, then refrigerate to solidify remaining fat for removal.
- Store: Transfer to airtight containers; store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 6 months.
This recipe will yield approximately 8 cups of delicious, nutritious broth that you can use in a variety of dishes or simply enjoy on its own.
FAQs
Is chicken broth and chicken stock the same thing?
No, chicken broth and chicken stock are not the same. While they both start with chicken, the stock is made by boiling bones and other parts of the bird, while the broth is made by simmering meat, bones, and/or vegetables together in water. Stock is more concentrated than broth and has a fuller flavor.
What is chicken broth used for?
Chicken broth can be used to add more flavor to soups, stews, sauces, gravies, and many other dishes. Many people also drink broth like soup because of how nutritious and healthy it is.
Is it healthy to drink chicken broth?
Yes. Chicken broth is a healthy plus to your diet and nutrition. It is not only low in calories, but it also contains protein, vitamins, and minerals. In addition, it aids digestion and boosts the immune system. To enjoy all these, it’s important to make your own chicken broth with fresh ingredients.
How do you make chicken broth taste better?
To have homemade chicken broth that is flavorful, make sure to use fresh and high-quality ingredients in the making of your meal. Another thing you can do is simmer the broth for a longer period of time to get all the richness of the ingredients. Additionally, a squeeze of lemon as well as a splash of white wine or vinegar will elevate the taste of your broth.
How long does chicken broth last in the fridge?
If stored properly in an airtight container, it can last for about 4-5 days in the fridge.

Storage and Reheating Tips
What is the best way to store chicken broth?
First off, let the broth cool to room temperature. Then transfer into an airtight container. Once this is done, keep in the fridge for at least 4-5 days. Use within this time frame for freshness and quality.
Can I store chicken broth in the freezer?
Yes, you can store it in the freezer for 6 months. Make sure to store it in an airtight container.
How do I reheat frozen chicken broth?
You can reheat chicken broth in the microwave or the stovetop. Warm on medium heat till it reaches your desired temperature.
If frozen, thaw first by placing the container in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes, then transfer the broth to a pot and heat it on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it has reached your desired temperature.
To reheat in a microwave, allow the broth to thaw, then heat on high in the microwave until it has reached your desired temperature.
Other chicken recipes you’ll love
- Easy way to make Chicken Tikka Masala
- Middle Eastern Chicken Shawarma Recipe
- Quick and Easy Butter Chicken Recipe
- Easy Curry Chicken Recipe
- Homemade Spicy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
- Delish Creamy Tuscan Chicken
- Crispy Chicken Parmesan Recipe
- Delicious and Easy Chicken Marsala

How To Make Homemade Chicken Broth
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken 3-4 pounds
- 1 large onion quartered
- 3 medium carrots cut into large chunks
- 2 stalks celery cut into large chunks
- 4 cloves garlic smashed
- 1 small bunch fresh parsley
- 3-4 fresh thyme sprigs or 1 teaspoon dried
- 2 bay leaves
- 8 to 10 whole black peppercorns
- salt optional
- 8 to 10 cups cold water or enough to cover the chicken and vegetables
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, add the chicken, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, peppercorns, and salt (if using). Pour enough cold water into the pot to cover the chicken and vegetables by about 1 inch.
- Place the stockpot on the stove over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
- As the broth begins to boil, skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface using a slotted spoon or skimmer then reduce the heat to low and let the broth simmer gently for 2-3 hours. Do not let the broth come to a rolling boil, as this can make it cloudy and less flavorful.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Take out the chicken and remove the meat from the bones. Discard the bones and use the chicken meat for your soup.
- Use a fine-mesh strainer or colander lined with cheesecloth to strain the broth into a large bowl or another pot, discarding the solids.
- Allow the broth to cool for about 30 minutes, then transfer it to the refrigerator to cool completely. As the broth cools, any remaining fat will rise to the surface and solidify, making it easy to remove and discard.
- Once the broth is completely cooled, transfer it to airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. The broth can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Notes
- Experiment with herbs and spices: Feel free to customize your chicken broth by adding your favorite fresh herbs, such as rosemary or sage, or spices like star anise or coriander seeds.
- Use a slow cooker or pressure cooker: If you prefer, you can make your chicken broth in a slow cooker or pressure cooker. For a slow cooker, cook the broth on low for 8-10 hours. For a pressure cooker, cook the broth at high pressure for 45 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release.
Nutrition
Let’s connect on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. I love keeping in touch with you; nothing brings me more joy than seeing pictures of your creations. Tag me @cheflolaskitchen on Instagram and Facebook.
Tsvetanka
Tuesday 30th of January 2024
Your delicious and subtle recipes bring warmth and cosiness in every home as well your positiveness and love can be seen and experienced in each of your warm and full of mystery,beauty and daintiness recipes.
Chef Lola's Kitchen
Friday 2nd of February 2024
Thank you so much for your kind words, Tsvetanka. ❤️❤️