How To Make Homemade Chicken Broth

Homemade Chicken broth is delicious and very easy to make. It is always a staple in my kitchen. And I use it in so many places other than in soups or stews.

It can be used in gravy, rice dishes, beef roasts, etc. Anywhere you could use water in a recipe, I like to use chicken broth.

I usually buy a couple of whole chickens rather than the precut-up pieces at my local grocery store.  I find that the meat is fresher and I only have pieces of meat from only a couple of chickens. 

How to Make Homemade Chicken Broth

Step 1. Add the chicken back or chicken bones to a large stockpot.

The chicken back is left after I break down the whole chicken. The back should not be discarded! It can be used to make homemade chicken broth. Sometimes we wait until we have a couple of chicken backs before making broth because the flavor is so rich and delicious.

If you don’t want to buy whole chickens, you should be able to find chicken bones in your local grocery store. If you don't have chicken backs or bones, you could also use, beef or lamb bones for a broth richer in flavor.

Step 2. Add whatever veggies and spices that you already have in your pantry. I like to add a couple of bay leaves, dried thyme, oregano, rosemary, all-purpose seasoning, whole black peppercorns, and apple cider vinegar.

Step 3. Add the apple cider vinegar or not, it's optional. I like to add it because it helps to bring out more minerals in bones into the broth. If you only add 1 teaspoon you can't taste it in the final broth.

Step 4. Bring the broth to a boil, then lower to a simmer for 5 - 7 hours. You can cook it for longer or shorter depending on how deep a flavor you are looking for. Cooking it for 3 - 4 hours will produce a lighter chicken flavor. 7 - 9 hours will produce a more concentrated broth flavor. However, I like to have a good amount of chicken broth, so I don't cook it for longer than 7 hours.

Step 5. After the broth is done to your liking and has had time to cool a bit, its time to strain it. The veggies and seasonings you added, in the beginning, can be discarded, leaving only the broth.

Step 6. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 days in mason jars or freeze into ice cubes. I like to store my broth in ice cubes because it makes it easier to use while I'm cooking.

After making homemade chicken broth, you will never want to return to the store-bought ever again!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure here.

Recipe Notes:

This recipe can be made in the Instant Pot. Just add all the ingredients into the Instant Pot, and set it to the Soup/ Broth setting on high pressure for 4 hours. Allow the steam to release naturally, and discard the chicken bones and veggies. Then transfer the chicken broth to mason jars to store in the refrigerator.

Kitchen Items You Might Need For This Recipe:

Large Stockpot

Instant Pot

Quart-sized Mason Jars

Ice cube trays

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make chicken broth if you don't have any?

Chicken broth is super easy to make and a great thing to keep in your fridge or freezer whenever you need it. All you need are chicken bones, whatever veggies, herbs, and spices you have on hand, and water.

Are chicken broth and chicken stock the same thing?

Chicken broth and chicken stock are oftentimes used interchangeably. Chicken broth tends to be made from chicken meat and chicken stock from slowly simmering the bones. I always have meat left on the bones, so this chicken broth is a bit of both worlds.

Is it healthier to make your own chicken broth?

Absolutely! Store-bought chicken broth has been sitting on the shelf for a long time and has many unnecessary added ingredients. Homemade chicken broth is made with fresh organic ingredients and has a much better flavor.

Looking For More Recipes?

How to Make Ghee

Vegetable Lentil Soup

Homemade Enchilada Sauce

Print