If you’ve ever wished for that comforting, rich foundation in your soups and stews, look no further than this Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe. It’s a heartwarming classic that transforms simple ingredients into a soulful, nourishing liquid gold. The slow-simmered chicken, fresh vegetables, and fragrant herbs meld together to create a broth brimming with flavor and depth that’s impossible to replicate with store-bought versions. Whether you’re aiming for that perfect soup base or a soothing cup on a chilly day, this recipe will become your kitchen’s best-kept secret for elevating every meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, bringing layers of flavor, aroma, and color that develop gently over hours of simmering. You’ll be amazed at how everyday staples combine to create such a satisfying base.
- Whole chicken (3–4 lbs) or chicken parts (2–3 lbs): Choose quality chicken—bones and skin are key for a rich, gelatinous broth.
- Water (12 cups): Acts as the canvas to extract all the essence from your ingredients.
- Carrots (2, roughly chopped): Add a touch of sweetness and vibrant orange hue.
- Celery stalks (2, roughly chopped): Bring earthy depth and a subtle bitter note balancing the sweetness.
- Onion (1, quartered with skin on): The onion skin lends a beautiful golden color and smoky richness.
- Garlic cloves (3, smashed): Offers a warm, aromatic underpinning without overpowering.
- Bay leaf (1): Provides a delicate herbal aroma that infuses the broth with complexity.
- Whole peppercorns (1 tsp): Adds gentle spicy notes and brightness to the flavor profile.
- Salt (1 tsp, adjust to taste): Enhances every element, balancing and amplifying the broth.
- Optional fresh herbs (parsley or thyme): For an extra fragrant, fresh touch that can be tailored to your mood.
How to Make Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Start by placing your whole chicken or chicken parts into a large stockpot. It’s important that the chicken is fresh or fully thawed to ensure an even release of flavor and nutrients throughout the cooking process. Adding everything at once makes this an easy, one-pot wonder.
Step 2: Add Water and Vegetables
Pour in 12 cups of water, making sure the chicken is completely submerged to maximize extraction. Then toss in your roughly chopped carrots, celery, onion with skin, smashed garlic cloves, bay leaf, peppercorns, salt, and if you’re feeling fancy, some fresh parsley or thyme. Each brings essential oils, natural sweetness, and aromatic notes.
Step 3: Bring to a Boil and Simmer
Turn your heat to medium-high and patiently wait for the broth to come to a gentle boil. As soon as bubbles appear on the surface, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered. Patience is key here—allow the broth to simmer slowly for 2.5 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally and skimming off any foam or impurities that rise. This slow process extracts the deep chicken flavor and silky body you crave.
Step 4: Strain and Cool
When the time’s up, carefully remove the chicken and vegetables with a slotted spoon—rescue that cooked chicken meat for other recipes! Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean bowl or container to remove any solids and achieve a crystal-clear broth. Let it cool slightly before moving on.
Step 5: Refrigerate and Skim Fat
Place your strained broth in the refrigerator to chill. Once cold, you’ll notice a layer of fat on top which you can skim off for a leaner option, or keep it for extra richness, depending on your preference. This finishing touch is what makes your Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe luscious and velvety.
How to Serve Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe
Garnishes
A swirl of freshly chopped parsley or scallions can brighten your broth visually and add a fresh pop of flavor. For a hint of indulgence, a few drops of quality olive oil or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper creates an inviting aroma and mouthfeel.
Side Dishes
This broth pairs beautifully with crusty artisanal bread dipped right in or a light salad with a tangy vinaigrette to contrast the broth’s warmth. It also makes a fantastic starting point for homemade noodles or dumplings served alongside as a comforting complete meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy twist, ladle your broth into mugs for sipping as a nutrient-packed warm drink. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays to use small amounts for cooking grains, sautéed vegetables, or sauces, adding a flavorful punch without waste.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Glass jars or BPA-free plastic containers work great to preserve the fresh taste and prevent any odors from affecting your broth.
Freezing
Freeze your broth for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers or bags. Portioning it into smaller amounts—like ice cube trays or quart-sized containers—makes thawing quick and convenient whenever you need a splash of flavorful broth for recipes.
Reheating
Reheat gently over low-medium heat on the stove to avoid boiling off the delicate flavors. Stir occasionally and avoid overheating, which can lead to a flat or greasy taste.
FAQs
Can I make this Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe with only chicken bones?
Absolutely! Using chicken bones or carcasses still imparts fantastic flavor and richness. Just expect a slightly lighter broth compared to using a whole chicken with meat.
Why do I need to skim foam during simmering?
Skimming helps remove impurities and proteins that rise to the surface, resulting in a clearer, cleaner-tasting broth that looks more appetizing.
Can I use a slow cooker for this recipe?
Yes, slow cookers are a wonderful option. Simply set it to low and cook for 6 to 8 hours to extract maximum flavor without constant attention.
How salty should my broth be?
Season lightly during simmering because the broth will reduce and concentrate. It’s best to adjust salt again when using the broth in recipes or when serving.
Is homemade broth healthier than store-bought?
Generally yes! Homemade broth lacks preservatives and excess sodium found in many commercial products, plus you control every ingredient, ensuring a clean, nourishing broth.
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe is more than just a building block for soups—it’s a labor of love that fills your kitchen with warmth and comforting aromas. Give it a try, and you’ll find having this homemade staple in your fridge transforms everyday meals into something truly special and deeply satisfying. Once you taste the difference, you’ll never want to go back to the carton again!
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Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: About 10 cups 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This homemade chicken broth recipe yields a rich, flavorful, and nourishing stock made by slow simmering chicken with aromatic vegetables and herbs. Ideal as a base for soups, stews, or cooking grains, this broth is easy to prepare and perfect for freezing in portions for future use.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (about 3–4 lbs) or 2–3 lbs chicken parts (backs, wings, bones)
- 12 cups water
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped
- 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
- 1 onion, quartered (leave skin on for rich color)
- 3 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
Optional Ingredients
- Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables: Place the whole chicken or chicken parts into a large stockpot. Add the roughly chopped carrots, celery, quartered onion with skin, smashed garlic cloves, bay leaf, whole peppercorns, and salt. If using, add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to enhance flavor.
- Add Water and Bring to Boil: Pour in 12 cups of water, ensuring the chicken is fully submerged. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer the Broth: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the broth simmer uncovered for 2.5 to 3 hours. Occasionally skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface to keep the broth clear and clean tasting.
- Remove Solids: After simmering, use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken and vegetables from the pot. Set the solids aside if you’d like to shred the chicken for other uses.
- Strain the Broth: Pour the broth through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a large bowl or container to remove any remaining solids, yielding a clear liquid.
- Cool and Store: Allow the broth to cool slightly at room temperature. Refrigerate the broth until chilled, which helps the fat solidify on top for easy removal.
- Skim Fat and Store: Once chilled, skim off the solidified fat from the surface if you desire a leaner broth. Store the broth in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
Notes
- You can shred the cooked chicken and use it in soups, casseroles, or salads for added protein and flavor.
- Freeze broth in ice cube trays or quart-sized containers to have ready portions for recipes.
- Adjust salt to taste after cooking, especially if you plan to use the broth in salted dishes.
- Leaving the onion skin on adds a rich amber color and additional nutrients to the broth.
- Skimming foam during simmering results in a clearer and cleaner-tasting broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Soup, Basics
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
