How To Make Homemade Chicken Broth

How To Make Homemade Chicken Broth

Healthy and flavor-packed, Chicken broth is what you need to elevate your dishes; be it soups, gravies or any kind of meal. It gives your meal the oomph it needs.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 2

Servings cups

Calories 228.5kcal

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