Chicken Broth Recipe You’ll Love
I’m so excited to share this chicken broth recipe with you because it’s one of those warm, comforting dishes that can truly make your day brighter. Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just want to whip up something cozy, a good broth can be your best friend. Trust me; once you make your own, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
What Is Chicken Broth?
Chicken broth is basically liquid gold! It’s a savory, rich stock made by simmering chicken bones, meat, and a variety of aromatics. This broth serves as a perfect base for soups, stews, and even sauces. Unlike chicken stock, which is typically richer and thicker, broth is lighter in flavor and ideal for sipping on its own or using in other recipes. The procedure is so simple, and you’ll find yourself veering away from store-bought options after trying this version.
Ingredients Overview for Chicken Broth
To make this chicken broth absolutely divine, here’s what you will need:
- Organic Chicken Bones: You can use whole chickens or just bones from a roast. The more bones, the richer the broth!
- Water: Your base for everything.
- Yellow Onion: Adds sweet depth. Just chop it roughly; no need for perfection here.
- Carrots: They sweeten the broth naturally. Again, rough chopping is perfectly fine.
- Celery: This brings a lovely fresh note to your broth. Chop it up and toss it in!
- Garlic: A few cloves will add a punch of flavor. Smashes work best.
- Bay Leaves: A couple of these lend complexity to the broth.
- Thyme: Either fresh or dried, it gives such a wonderful aroma.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste, of course!
Step-By-Step Instructions for Chicken Broth
- Prepare Chicken: If using a whole chicken, make sure to remove any giblets. Otherwise, just toss the bones into your pot.
- Combine Ingredients: Place the chicken bones, water, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper into a large pot.
- Bring It to a Boil: Turn the heat to high and let it come to a rolling boil.
- Simmer: Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 4-6 hours. You can also let it go longer for a richer flavor.
- Strain: When it’s done, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into another pot or large bowl. Discard the solids.
- Cool and Store: Let the broth cool completely. You can store it in the fridge for up to a week or freeze it for later use!
Serving Suggestions
Chicken broth is incredibly versatile. You can sip it on its own for a cozy drink, or you can use it as a base for soups or risottos. Try adding some noodles and veggies for a quick homemade chicken noodle soup. You could even reduce the broth down to concentrate the flavors and use it in sauces that need a little boost. Any way you serve it, it’s bound to be a hit!
Tips For The Perfect Chicken Broth
- Keep it low and slow: Slow cooking helps extract all those wonderful flavors.
- Use scraps: Save veggie scraps like ends of onions or carrot peelings for a more complex flavor.
- Fat on top: If you let it chill, a layer of fat will form on top. You can save that for frying or remove it for a leaner broth.
- Taste test: Don’t hesitate to adjust the seasoning during cooking for your personal touch.
Q&A Section
Q: Can I use store-bought chicken?
A: Absolutely! Just use the bones left over from your roast chicken.
Q: How long can I keep chicken broth in the fridge?
A: It should last for a week, but you can freeze it for longer storage.
Q: What if I don’t have all the veggies?
A: No worries! Use whatever you have on hand, or just skip them if you prefer a simpler broth.
Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
A: Yes! Just follow the same steps but let it cook on low for 8 hours or more.
Why You’ll Love It
You will absolutely adore this chicken broth not just for the flavor, but also for how it brings that warm feeling of home. It’s nourishing, super comforting, and filled with wholesome goodness. Plus, you know exactly what goes into it, so there’s no hidden ingredients or additives. Nothing compares to that homemade taste!
Behind The Scenes
Creating this chicken broth was a fun adventure with some little learning moments along the way. At first, I accidentally added too many bay leaves, which made it taste slightly overwhelming. However, after some experimenting, I figured out the perfect balance. This recipe truly came to life after using a whole chicken that I had roasted earlier in the week. Remember, I love sharing my kitchen experiences, so if you’re looking for more tasty ideas, check out my Pinterest page here!
There you have it! Your go-to chicken broth recipe that’s comforting, natural, and much better homemade. Give it a try, and let me know how yours turns out!
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Chicken Broth
- Total Time: 255 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Paleo
Description
A warm and comforting chicken broth recipe perfect for sipping or using as a base in soups and stews.
Ingredients
- Organic Chicken Bones
- Water
- 1 Yellow Onion
- 2 Carrots
- 2 Celery Stalks
- 3 Cloves of Garlic
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1 tsp Thyme
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- If using a whole chicken, remove any giblets. Otherwise, just toss the bones into your pot.
- Place the chicken bones, water, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper into a large pot.
- Turn the heat to high and let it come to a rolling boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 240-360 minutes (4-6 hours).
- Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into another pot or large bowl. Discard the solids.
- Let the broth cool completely. Store it in the fridge for up to a week or freeze it for later use.
Notes
Use scraps from vegetables for added flavor. Adjust seasoning during cooking to your taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg