How to Make Homemade Chicken Stock (2024)

Homemade chicken stock is one of the easiest recipes and it makes the best ever !

I love making stock after a roast chicken or turkey with the leftover bones.

I use it as a base for my favorite soups (of course) but also in any recipe that calls for chicken broth!

Chicken stock is so easy to make and it makes any dish you are creating with it exponentially better.

What’s the difference between chicken broth and chicken stock?

That’s the age-old question! Is there a difference between chicken broth and chicken stock?

Yes, there is a difference however they can be used interchangeably in most recipes.

Chicken Stock vs. Broth

The difference is that Chicken broth is generally made from more of the meaty parts of the bird, while chicken stock is made from simmering the bones for a long period of time, which results in more depth of flavor.

Chicken stock gains it’s flavor and nutrition from a slow-simmering of the bones (sometimes up to 24 hours). This can easily be done on the stove top or in your slow cooker!

Tips to Make Your Chicken Stock Flavorful

• If you’re short on bones, check your local grocery. They often sell inexpensive packs of turkey necks which are perfect for flavor.
• Add leafy fresh greens such as celery tops, fresh parsley or even carrot tops.
• If using raw bones (such as the back or neck), roast them with some onions first at 400°F.
• If you have leftover gravy, stock, meaty parts that nobody is eating (such as the neck) or drippings, add them to your pot.
• Leave theskins on your onions to add great color.

There’s a reason chicken stock is used in so many soups and dishes. The flavor that you get from it is seriously amazing.

A good chicken stock should be aromatic, have a mild savory flavor, and a body that may even coagulate slightly when chilled.

You don’t want your chicken or turkey stock to overpower the dish you are creating with it, you want it to be mild enough that it just adds a great component to any sauce, soup, or dish you are making.

What is in Chicken Stock?

Chicken stock is usually compiled of 4 important components: chicken, water, aromatic vegetables (garlic, onions, celery, carrots), and herbs (thyme, rosemary, peppercorns, bay leaves).

It is entirely up to you what ingredients you decide to add to your stock; however, you will want to make sure you have included these components.

You can tweak any chicken stock recipe to fit your needs and the flavor profile you are hoping to create.

All you have to do is add the bones and ingredients to a stock pot with some water, bring it all to a boil, and then simmer it.

If your bones are raw, you’ll want to roast them in the oven to give them a little bit of color.

Simply drizzle with olive oil, add a quartered onion and roast at 400°F for about 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned.

How long can you keep chicken broth?

I like to cook my stock in a large batch and freeze it for easy soup making!

Chicken stock lasts in the fridge for up to 4-5 days after it is cooked.

If you plan to use it after that, it freezes easily for future use. I divide it into small 1 cup portions and freeze it for 2-3 months.

I love using this broth to make this Turkey Noodle Soup or this Chicken Barley Soup. They are so comforting and perfect for winter time!

What are the health benefits of chicken broth?

Is chicken broth good for you? There are not a lot of studies published with reliable medicinal information, however, bone broth is loaded with minerals and collagen.

According to NY Times, it may provide benefits for inflammatory diseases, digestive problems and evendopaminelevels.

That being said, you may notice that as your stock cools, it often gets thicker and almost jelly like.

I’m sure we have all heard that chicken stock is great for the common cold.

When you’re sick, you need the collagen and the gelatin that is found in the bones. Mark Sisson, author ofThe Primal Blueprint, says that the high concentration of minerals in stock can boost your immune system as well!

Simmering them can bring these components out of the bones and into your stock (to get the most out of the bones you are using, add a tablespoon of something acidic such as vinegar or lemon while they simmer).

Next time you are feeling under the weather, try whipping up some of this chicken stock!