How to Make Homemade Chicken Broth

Have you ever wondered what to do with that leftover chicken carcass or those sad-looking vegetables in the crisper? You can turn those ingredients into homemade chicken stock. There is no need for fancy kitchen gadgets; you only need a pot, some basic ingredients and a bit of time.

A pot of simmering chicken stock will fill your kitchen with a delicious aroma that’s good for just about anything. We make it and use it whenever we can.

The chicken stock vs. chicken broth debate

Chicken stock and chicken broth are frequently used interchangeably in everyday cooking. In many recipes, either can be used depending on personal preference and ingredient availability.

Chicken stock is made by simmering chicken bones, along with vegetables and aromatics over an extended period. This longer cooking time allows for the extraction of deep flavors and collagen from the bones, resulting in a richer and more intense flavor. Typically, chicken stock serves as a robust foundation for sauces and heartier dishes, lending them a full-bodied flavor.

On the other hand, chicken broth is made by simmering chicken meat alongside vegetables and seasonings, but for a shorter duration compared to stock. This results in a lighter flavor profile that emphasizes the taste of the chicken meat itself. Chicken broth is commonly utilized as a standalone soup or in recipes where a lighter touch is desired, bringing a more subtle chicken flavor to the forefront.

“I always save scraps from chopping vegetables to use for making chicken broth. It’s so easy to save the ends of carrots, celery, onions and more in the freezer! It saves me a lot of time during the day, adds flavor and reduces food waste. An all-around win!”

— Megan Myers, Stetted

Benefits of homemade chicken broth

Using homemade chicken stock in your dishes gives them a special flavor boost. It makes everything taste richer and more authentic.

• Homemade chicken broth is packed with essential nutrients. They’re derived from the simmered bones and vegetables, offering a wholesome and nourishing addition to your diet.
• The slow cooking process extracts collagen from the bones, contributing to the broth’s natural richness. 
• Making your stock allows you to adjust the seasoning to match your taste buds. This guarantees it’s just right — not too salty or bland.

Compared to store-bought versions, homemade chicken stock delivers a depth of flavor that’s hard to match. Use it in all your favorite soups like Chicken and Dumplings or Chicken and Noodles.

Basic ingredients and equipment needed

The first step to making delicious homemade chicken stock is gathering the right ingredients and tools. Ensure you have:

• chicken bones from a cooked chicken OR a fresh chicken
• aromatic vegetables
• salt
• herbs as desired
• a large stockpot
• a fine-mesh strainer for optimal results

“Simplicity is key when making homemade chicken broth. I like to place chicken bones or a leftover carcass into my crockpot and add onions, carrots, celery and a handful of fragrant herbs such as thyme and parsley. Then, I let the slow cooker do its work. The broth is a staple in my home for making soup, rice and gravy.”

— Jessica Haggard, Primal Edge Health

Customize the Broth

The beauty of homemade chicken stock lies in its adaptability. Experiment with different herbs, spices and vegetable combinations, tailoring them to suit your taste and match various recipes.

Learn how to freeze your vegetable scraps. When preparing herbs and vegetables, such as carrots and onions, save the peels, ends of tomatoes and peppers and stems of herbs in a freezer bag. These scraps can be stored in the freezer and used later for making broth.

“I love to use homemade chicken broth to infuse flavor and nutrition into simple foods. I use broth as the cooking liquid for rice, most grains and potatoes.”

—  Michelle Goth, Blackberry Babe

Use This Broth!

This flavorful broth can be used in various soup recipes, and casseroles, added to pan sauces or used to enhance the flavor of numerous dishes.