If you’ve ever yearned for that soul-soothing, flavorful foundation that makes every soup, stew, or sauce sing, look no further than this Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe. This classic broth is a lovely blend of simple ingredients simmered slowly to extract deep, comforting flavors that can transform your cooking. It’s warm, nourishing, and incredibly versatile—a true kitchen treasure that not only elevates meals but nurtures your wellbeing too. Let me walk you through the magic of this Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe that will have you craving every spoonful!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity; each ingredient plays a vital role in building a rich and balanced broth. From the chicken that gives it body, to the fresh herbs and vegetables that add vibrant aroma and color, these essentials come together to create a broth that’s both wholesome and delicious.
- Whole chicken or chicken parts: Using a whole chicken brings robust flavor and gelatinous texture, while parts like wings or carcass offer excellent richness and are budget-friendly.
- Cold water: Essential for a slow and steady extraction of flavors as the heat rises gradually.
- Carrots: Add subtle sweetness and a beautiful golden hue to the broth.
- Celery stalks: Contribute a fresh, earthy undertone that balances the sweetness from the carrots.
- Onion: Brings a savory depth and slight sharpness when quartered and simmered.
- Garlic cloves: Smash these to release an enticing aroma and gentle pungency that enrich the broth.
- Bay leaves: Infuse a delicate herbal fragrance that complements the other spices perfectly.
- Whole black peppercorns: For a mild heat and complexity without overpowering the broth.
- Fresh parsley and thyme sprigs: Fresh herbs brighten the broth and add a layer of freshness that lifts the overall flavor profile.
- Salt to taste: Essential for bringing out the full flavor of the ingredients.
How to Make Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Begin by gathering and prepping your ingredients. If you want a deeper, richer flavor, consider roasting the chicken parts and vegetables at 425°F for 30 minutes beforehand. This browning step adds a lovely caramelized note to your broth that is deeply comforting.
Step 2: Combine Everything in a Large Stockpot
Place the whole chicken or chicken parts in your largest pot. Add the cold water, chopped carrots, celery, quartered onion, smashed garlic cloves, bay leaves, peppercorns, and fresh herb sprigs. The cold water helps to draw out the flavors gradually, infusing every drop with goodness.
Step 3: Bring to a Boil and Simmer
Turn your heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered. This delicate simmer, which lasts at least 2 to 3 hours, extracts the essence of each ingredient, giving you a broth that’s rich, flavorful, and clear. During this time, skim off any foam or fat that surfaces to keep your broth clean and bright.
Step 4: Strain and Season
Once the simmering is complete, remove the chicken and strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into a large bowl or container. This step ensures your broth is silky smooth and free of any solids. Taste and season with salt according to your preference. The broth can now be cooled, refrigerated, or prepared for freezing.
Step 5: Final Touches and Storage
If you prefer, skim off any solidified fat after chilling—it can add a lovely mouthfeel but also increases richness. Your homemade chicken broth is now ready to be the star ingredient in countless recipes!
How to Serve Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh garnishes can elevate a simple bowl of broth into a delightful experience. Think chopped scallions, a sprinkle of fresh parsley, or even a few thinly sliced carrots or celery ribbons. A tiny drizzle of good olive oil or a pinch of freshly ground black pepper can add a lovely finishing touch.
Side Dishes
Homemade chicken broth pairs beautifully with warm crusty bread for dipping, or alongside a fresh green salad for a light and balanced meal. It also makes a comforting companion to simple steamed rice or buttered noodles, catching every drop of that delicious broth.
Creative Ways to Present
Beyond sipping straight from the bowl, use your broth as a base for delicate soups with vegetables and herbs, as a cooking liquid for risottos, or even to poach tender chicken breasts or dumplings. Its clarity and flavor add sophistication to even the simplest dishes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place cooled broth in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Skimming off the fat after refrigeration will give you a cleaner broth that’s ready to enrich your recipes.
Freezing
Homemade chicken broth freezes exceptionally well. Pour it into freezer-safe jars, bags, or ice cube trays for convenient, portion-sized servings. Frozen broth keeps flavor and nutrients intact for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw frozen broth overnight in the fridge or gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat. Avoid boiling vigorously to keep the broth clear and flavorful. A quick reheat preserves its delicate taste and texture.
FAQs
Can I use just chicken bones instead of a whole chicken?
Absolutely! Using bones, wings, or carcasses is a great way to make a flavorful broth while minimizing waste. You might want to extend the simmering time slightly for a richer depth.
Is it necessary to roast the chicken and vegetables before simmering?
Roasting is optional but highly recommended if you desire a darker, more intense flavor. It caramelizes the natural sugars and deepens the taste, elevating your Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe.
How long can I store homemade chicken broth in the fridge?
Refrigerated properly in an airtight container, your broth will stay fresh for up to 4 days. Always check for freshness before use, and never taste broth that smells off.
Can I use this broth for recipes other than soups?
Definitely! This broth is a fantastic base for sauces, risottos, grains, and even as a poaching liquid. Its versatility makes it a kitchen staple beyond just soup.
What if my broth turns out cloudy?
A cloudy broth usually means it boiled too vigorously or wasn’t skimmed properly. Next time, keep the simmer low and skim off any impurities regularly for a clear, beautiful broth.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about making your own bone broth from scratch, and this Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe brings warmth, flavor, and a touch of love to every meal. Once you start making your own broth, you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without it. Give it a try—you’re not just making broth, you’re creating the heart of countless delicious dishes!
Print
Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 cups
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This homemade chicken broth recipe offers a rich, flavorful base perfect for soups, stews, and sauces. Utilizing simple ingredients and a long simmering process, it produces a nutritious, comforting broth that is both gluten-free and paleo-friendly. The broth can be made with a whole chicken or chicken parts and can be enhanced by roasting ingredients beforehand for deeper flavor.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 whole chicken (about 3–4 pounds) or 2–3 pounds chicken parts (bones, wings, or carcass)
Vegetables and Herbs
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 onion, quartered
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- A few sprigs of fresh parsley and thyme
Liquids and Seasoning
- 12 cups cold water
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Place the whole chicken or chicken parts in a large stockpot ensuring it fits comfortably. Add chopped carrots, celery, quartered onion, smashed garlic cloves, bay leaves, whole black peppercorns, and fresh parsley and thyme sprigs around the chicken.
- Add Water and Bring to Boil: Pour 12 cups of cold water into the pot, covering the chicken and vegetables. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a gentle boil.
- Simmer the Broth: Once boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Leave the pot uncovered and let it simmer for at least 2 to 3 hours, occasionally skimming off any foam or fat that rises to the surface. For richer flavor, simmer up to 4 hours.
- Strain the Broth: Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside if desired for other uses. Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into a large bowl or container, discarding all solids including vegetables and herbs.
- Season and Store: Season the clear broth with salt to taste. Allow it to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate or freeze. When refrigerated, skim off any solidified fat on top before use if preferred.
Notes
- For a deeper flavor and darker color, roast the chicken parts and vegetables at 425°F for 30 minutes prior to simmering.
- This broth freezes well and can be stored in jars, freezer-safe bags, or ice cube trays for convenient smaller portions.
- Skimming the fat during and after cooking results in a cleaner, less greasy broth.
