How to Make the Best Chicken Broth

What is chicken broth?

Chicken broth is a kitchen staple that brings rich, comforting flavor to a variety of dishes. Whether you’re making soups, sauces, or casseroles, knowing how to make chicken broth from scratch ensures your recipes have that homemade, heartwarming touch.

In this post, we’ll guide you through the process step-by-step, explain the difference between chicken stock and broth, and provide storage tips so you can enjoy your broth anytime.

Why Make Your Own Broth?

Making your own chicken broth is worth the effort for several reasons:

• Superior flavor: Homemade chicken broth has a richer and more authentic taste than store-bought versions.

• Customizable: You control the ingredients, including salt and seasoning levels.

• No waste: It's an excellent way to use leftover chicken bones and vegetable scraps.

• Healthier: Store-bought broths often contain preservatives and high sodium. Homemade is fresh and wholesome.

Why is Broth healthy?

According to MD Anderson Cancer Center and Cleaveland Clinic chicken broth offers several health benefits due to its nutrient-rich composition. It contains collagen, which supports skin elasticity and joint health, and amino acids like glycine that promote gut healing and reduce inflammation. The broth is also hydrating and soothing, making it helpful for recovering from illness or boosting immunity. Minerals such as potassium and calcium support bone health and overall bodily functions.

Homemade versions, simmered for several hours, provide higher nutrient density compared to store-bought options, which may have lower collagen and protein content. Always check for low-sodium products to reduce excessive salt intake

How to Make Chicken Broth From Scratch

Making homemade chicken broth from scratch is straightforward and requires just a few ingredients:

Ingredients for 10l (~10qt):

• Chicken (can be a whole chicken, but I prefer the leftovers and bones, to not waste the good parts)
  Note: organ meats can also be used, but the liver should be discarded or used in another meal

• Aromatic vegetables: 3 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1 onion, 3-6 cloves of garlic
  Note: I prefer to peel the carrots but leave the skin on the onion (without the roots) it gives a nice deep color to the broth. Some people like to leave the skin on everything, you"'ll discard the vegetables anyway. You can try it both ways!

• Optional vegetables: half of celery root, 2 parsley roots or any mild seasonal vegetable (like cauliflower), to make it more flavourful
  Note: the same, you can peel them or not, as you like it! 

• Fresh herbs: parsley, thyme

• Seasoning: a few peppercorns, one whole nutmeg (optional)

• Water: enough to cover all ingredients
  Note: always start with cold water, the even temperature rising helps to keep the broth clear.
  The amount of water will determine the intensity of the flavor. 

Steps to make homemade chicken broth

1. Prepare the ingredients: Chop vegetables into large chunks. If using a whole chicken, rinse it thoroughly and chop it into large pieces.

2. Optional flavor booster: Place the chicken onto a baking tray, and put it in the preheated oven to 210 °C (410 °F) until it is golden brown (about 20 mins).

3. Clean the tray: Place the chicken bits and scrape the leftover browning from the tray into the large pot. It gives so much flavor!

4. Optional tip to intensify flavor: Place your root vegetables on a baking tray and put them in the preheated oven to 210 °C (410 °F) until they are golden brown (about 20 mins).

5. Combine ingredients in a pot: Place chicken, vegetables, and herbs in a large stockpot. Cover with water, leaving a few inches at the top.

6. Bring to a boil: Heat the pot on high until the water boils. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.

7. Simmer gently: Lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for at least 4 hours to extract maximum flavor. If it's needed, replace some of the water that evaporated, to have covered all ingredients. 

8. Strain the broth: Use a fine-mesh strainer to separate the liquid from the solids. Discard bones and vegetables.

9. Cool and store: Let the broth cool down and refrigerate it overnight to remove congealed fat from the surface. The fat can be used in a short amount of time to flavor other dishes. To end the process, transfer the broth into storage containers into your freezer, so you can use it whenever you need it.

Are Chicken Stock and Broth the Same?

The terms “chicken stock” and “chicken broth” are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences:

• Chicken stock is made primarily from bones and has a thicker, gelatinous consistency due to collagen. It’s ideal for sauces and gravies.

• Chicken broth is made with meat and bones, giving it a lighter texture and milder flavor. It’s perfect for soups and drinking.

While the differences are minor, both can often be used in recipes depending on your preference.

How to Make Chicken Broth From Bones

If you’ve roasted a chicken or have leftover bones, they’re perfect for making a flavorful broth:

1. Roast the bones: For added depth, roast chicken bones in the oven at 200°C (400°F) for 20–30 minutes before adding them to the pot.

2. Simmer for longer: Bone-based broths benefit from a longer cooking time, up to 8 hours, to extract all the collagen and nutrients.
   

3. Add some vegetables: you can even use leftover vegetables or scrapes. Feel free to experiment!

How to Store Chicken Broth

Proper storage ensures your broth stays fresh and ready to use:

• Refrigerate: Store broth in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4–5 days.

• Freeze: For longer storage, pour cooled broth into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays. Frozen broth lasts up to 6 months.

• Label and date: Always label containers with the date to keep track of freshness.

Final Tips for the Best Chicken Broth

• Use quality ingredients: Fresh chicken and vegetables make a noticeable difference in taste.

• Season later: Most of the time you're using this as a base of your cooking, so you want to put salt for the upcoming cooking process.

• Experiment with flavors: Try adding ginger, turmeric, or lemongrass for unique twists. You can flavor your broth with various vegetables.

• Purposeful Flavors: Adjust ingredients based on the dish you plan to use the broth for, whether it’s a hearty soup or a light consommé. 

Making chicken broth at home is simple, rewarding, and a surefire way to elevate your cooking. Once you taste the difference, store-bought versions won’t compare!

Check out some of our other recipes and guides!

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How to Make Chicken Stock: A Comprehensive Guide for Flavor and Health

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