Have you ever wondered why restaurant soups taste richer and more flavorful than anything you can make at home? The secret lies in a well-crafted chicken broth recipe. Making your own broth from scratch isn't just a cost-effective way to use leftover chicken bones and vegetable scraps—it's a transformative cooking technique that elevates everything from soups and stews to risottos and sauces. Unlike store-bought versions loaded with sodium and preservatives, a homemade chicken broth recipe gives you complete control over ingredients, flavor depth, and nutritional content. Whether you're a beginner cook or a seasoned home chef, mastering this foundational recipe will unlock a world of culinary possibilities in your kitchen.

For more delicious comfort recipes, check out this chicken broth recipe or explore additional homemade options at homemade chicken broth recipe.

Ingredients List

    • 3-4 pounds chicken bones (raw or cooked carcass, wings, backs, or necks)
    • 2 medium carrots, roughly chopped
    • 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
    • 1 large onion, quartered (skin on for color)
    • 4 cloves garlic, smashed
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
    • 4-6 sprigs fresh parsley
    • 4-6 sprigs fresh thyme
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (helps extract minerals from bones)
    • 12-16 cups cold filtered water
    • Optional: 1 teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste)
    • Optional: 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced

For Added Depth:

    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste (for richer color and umami)
    • 1 parsnip, chopped
    • Mushroom stems (for earthy flavor)

Timing / Cooking Schedule

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 4-6 hours (or 8-12 hours for deeper flavor)

Total time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 12 hours 10 minutes

This recipe is ideal for weekend meal prep or slow cooker enthusiasts. The longer you simmer, the richer and more gelatinous your broth becomes, creating a nutrient-dense liquid gold perfect for healing soups and sauces.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Chicken Bones If using raw bones, roast them in a 400°F oven for 30-40 minutes until golden brown. This caramelization adds incredible depth to your chicken broth recipe. For cooked bones, skip this step and proceed directly.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients in Your Pot Place bones, vegetables, herbs, peppercorns, and apple cider vinegar in a large stockpot or slow cooker. The vinegar helps extract collagen and minerals from the bones, creating a nutrient-rich broth.

Step 3: Add Water and Begin Heating Cover ingredients with cold water, leaving 2 inches of space at the top. Start on high heat until the mixture reaches a gentle simmer, then immediately reduce to low. Never let broth reach a rolling boil, which creates cloudy, bitter-tasting liquid.

Step 4: Skim and Simmer Within the first 30 minutes, foam and impurities will rise to the surface. Skim these off with a fine-mesh strainer or spoon. Continue simmering uncovered for 4-12 hours, adding water if the level drops below the bones.

Step 5: Strain and Cool Using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth, strain your homemade chicken broth recipe into large containers. Discard solids. Allow broth to cool to room temperature before refrigerating—this prevents bacterial growth and container cracking.

Step 6: Remove Fat Layer Once chilled, a fat layer will solidify on top. Remove most of it (save some for flavor) or leave it as a natural protective seal for storage.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (serves 8, 1 cup each):

    • Calories: 40
    • Protein: 5g
    • Carbohydrates: 3g
    • Fat: 1g
    • Fiber: 0g
    • Vitamin C: 4% DV
    • Iron: 3% DV

Homemade chicken broth is naturally rich in collagen, amino acids like glycine and proline, and gut-healing gelatin. It supports joint health, immune function, and digestive wellness while being extremely low in calories and carbohydrates.

Tips, Variations, or Cooking Advice

Instant Pot Method: Pressure cook on high for 2 hours with natural release for faster results while maintaining flavor depth.

Slow Cooker Option: Set on low for 12-24 hours for the most nutrient-dense broth with maximum gelatin extraction.

Flavor Variations: Add Asian-inspired ingredients like star anise, lemongrass, and fresh cilantro for pho-style broth, or use Italian herbs like rosemary and oregano for Mediterranean dishes.

Dietary Swaps: This recipe is naturally keto, paleo, Whole30, gluten-free, and dairy-free. For AIP diets, omit black pepper.

Zero-Waste Tip: Save vegetable scraps (onion skins, carrot peels, celery leaves) in a freezer bag to add extra nutrition and flavor without additional cost.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Boiling Instead of Simmering: Rapid boiling creates cloudy, greasy broth with a bitter taste. Always maintain a gentle simmer with small bubbles breaking the surface.

Adding Salt Too Early: Salt concentrates as liquid reduces, potentially creating an over-seasoned final product. Season lightly at the end or when using in recipes.

Overcrowding Vegetables: Too many vegetables create overpowering flavors. Keep a 3:1 ratio of bones to vegetables for balanced taste.

Using Old, Rancid Bones: Freezer-burned or oxidized bones produce off-flavors. Use fresh or properly stored bones for best results.

Not Cooling Properly: Leaving hot broth at room temperature for extended periods encourages bacterial growth. Cool quickly by placing containers in ice baths before refrigerating.

Storage / Leftovers Tips

Store your finished chicken broth recipe in airtight glass containers or BPA-free plastic in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The fat cap acts as a natural preservative—leave it intact until ready to use.

For long-term storage, freeze your homemade chicken broth recipe in various portions: ice cube trays for small amounts (perfect for deglazing pans), 2-cup containers for soups, and quart-sized freezer bags for large batches. Frozen broth maintains quality for 4-6 months.

When reheating, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or place frozen containers in warm water. Heat gently on the stovetop, never in the microwave at full power, which can create hot spots and uneven heating. Add a splash of water if the broth has become too concentrated during storage.

Properly made chicken broth should gel when cold—this indicates high collagen content and exceptional quality that will add body and richness to any dish you create.