Chicken Bone Broth Recipe: A Nourishing, Flavorful Delight

Chicken Bone Broth Recipe: Bone broth is more than just a comforting soup—it’s packed with nutrients that promote health and wellness. This chicken bone broth recipe is a simple, yet flavorful, way to make this nourishing dish at home. Whether you’re using it as a base for soups, stews, or sipping it on its own, this broth is rich in collagen, protein, and essential minerals that your body will thank you for. With a handful of ingredients and a bit of patience, you’ll have a rich, savory broth that’s not only delicious but packed with health benefits.

What is Chicken Bone Broth?

Chicken bone broth recipe is a savory liquid made by simmering chicken bones, along with vegetables, herbs, and spices, for an extended period of time. The long cooking time allows the bones to release essential nutrients, minerals, and collagen into the broth, resulting in a rich, flavorful, and nutritious base. Bone broth is commonly used in soups, stews, sauces, or sipped on its own as a comforting drink.

chicken soup from bones

The most common question people ask when considering making bone broth is, how do you make bone broth? It’s simple! You need only a few key ingredients, patience, and some time to allow the flavors and nutrients to fully develop. If you’re wondering how to make chicken bone broth, the process is easy, and you’ll be rewarded with a deliciously nourishing product.

Chicken bones, especially when combined with some meat, skin, and cartilage, contain collagen, which turns into gelatin when simmered. Gelatin is a natural protein that’s great for your skin, joints, and gut. It helps your body repair and rebuild connective tissue, which is why chicken bone broth is often touted for its health benefits.

Benefits of Chicken Bone Broth

Before diving into the chicken bone broth recipe, it’s important to understand why you should include this nourishing liquid in your diet.

Rich in Collagen:
The collagen in chicken bones is broken down into gelatin during the cooking process. Gelatin helps support your skin, hair, and nails, keeping them healthy. Regular consumption of bone broth can improve the elasticity of your skin and reduce wrinkles.
Joint Health:
As bone broth contains collagen, it can aid in the health of your joints by reducing inflammation and providing the building blocks needed to maintain cartilage. This can help relieve symptoms of conditions like arthritis.
Gut Health:
Bone broth is known for its gut-healing properties. The gelatin in the broth helps heal the lining of your intestines, making it easier to digest food and absorb nutrients. It can also help manage conditions like leaky gut syndrome and improve overall digestion.
Immune System Support:
The minerals in chicken bone broth, such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, can support the immune system. When combined with the amino acids and antioxidants released during the simmering process, it helps fight off infections and supports overall wellness.
Hydration:
Bone broth is hydrating, as it’s made primarily from water. Adding a little salt helps balance electrolytes in the body, making it an excellent choice for hydration after workouts or during illness.

Ingredients

To make a delicious and nutrient-packed chicken bone broth recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

2-3 lbs chicken bones (from a whole roasted chicken or raw chicken backs, wings, or carcasses)
1 medium onion (quartered, no need to peel)
2 medium carrots (chopped into large pieces)
2 celery stalks (chopped)
1 head garlic (halved horizontally)
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (helps extract minerals from the bones)
10-12 cups cold water (enough to cover the bones and vegetables)
1 bay leaf
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp whole black peppercorns
Salt to taste (around 1 tbsp)
Optional: Fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary, or dill for extra flavor

Instructions

Step 1: Roast the Chicken Bones (Optional)

Roasting the chicken bones before simmering them adds a rich, deep flavor to your broth. This step is optional but highly recommended for the best results.

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Place the chicken bones on a baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes, turning the bones halfway through, until they are golden brown.
Remove the bones from the oven and place them into your cooking pot or Instant Pot.

Step 2: Prepare the Broth Base

Now it’s time to add the vegetables and seasonings to the pot.

Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and halved garlic head into the pot with the chicken bones.
Pour in cold water, ensuring that the bones and vegetables are completely covered. If you’re using a large pot, you’ll likely need 10-12 cups of water, but if you’re using an Instant Pot, adjust as needed to avoid exceeding the maximum fill line.
Add the apple cider vinegar and stir gently. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes to allow the vinegar to start breaking down the collagen and minerals in the bones.

Step 3: Simmer the Broth

Simmering the broth is where all the magic happens, as it extracts the nutrients and flavors from the bones.

On the Stovetop: Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently. Skim off any foam or impurities that float to the surface using a spoon. Simmer for 6-8 hours, or up to 24 hours for an even richer broth. The longer it simmers, the more intense the flavor and nutrients will be.
In an Instant Pot: Seal the lid and set your Instant Pot to the “Soup” setting for 2 hours. You can also cook for up to 3 hours for a more concentrated flavor. Make sure to check the water level as it cooks to ensure it doesn’t dry out.

Step 4: Strain and Store the Broth

Once the broth has simmered to your satisfaction, it’s time to strain and store it.

Carefully remove the pot from the heat, and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
Using a fine-mesh strainer, strain the broth into a large bowl, discarding the bones and vegetables.
Taste the broth and add salt if needed. It’s best to wait until after straining to add the salt so you don’t over-season it.
Let the broth cool to room temperature before transferring it to storage containers.

How to Make Chicken Bone Broth in an Instant Pot

Making chicken bone broth recipe in an Instant Pot is a great way to save time without sacrificing flavor or nutrients. The process is similar to traditional stovetop methods but much faster.

Add your chicken bones, vegetables, apple cider vinegar, and water to the Instant Pot.
Set the Instant Pot to “Soup” mode or manually set it to cook for 2-3 hours on high pressure.
Once the cooking time is finished, allow the pressure to release naturally for 15-20 minutes before opening the lid.
Follow the same straining and storing instructions as outlined in the stovetop method.

How to Use Chicken Bone Broth

Bone broth can be used in a variety of ways to enhance your meals and improve your health.

As a Soup Base: Bone broth is an excellent foundation for soups, stews, and gravies. It adds richness and depth of flavor to virtually any dish.
Sipping Broth: Simply heat up a mug of chicken bone broth recipe and sip it as a nourishing, hydrating drink.
Cooking Liquid: Use bone broth in place of water for cooking grains like rice, quinoa, or barley to infuse them with extra flavor and nutrients.

Pro Tips for Perfect Chicken Bone Broth

Use Raw Bones for More Collagen: For the richest broth, use raw bones instead of cooked ones. Raw bones contain more collagen, which results in a thicker, more gelatinous broth.
Don’t Skip the Vinegar: The apple cider vinegar helps extract minerals from the bones, so it’s an essential ingredient.
Simmer for Longer: The longer you cook the broth, the richer and more nutrient-dense it becomes. Aim for at least 6 hours, but if you have the time, try to simmer it for 24 hours.
Storage: Chicken bone broth can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. Consider freezing the broth in ice cube trays for easy, portioned use.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use a slow cooker to make chicken bone broth?

Yes! A slow cooker is an excellent option for making chicken bone broth. Set it on low for 12-24 hours to get the best results.

How can I make my chicken bone broth richer?

To get a richer broth, try adding some extra collagen-rich ingredients like chicken feet, or use a combination of chicken bones and beef bones.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to make chicken bone broth recipe, it’s time to get cooking! This versatile and nourishing broth can be used in a wide range of recipes, or simply enjoyed on its own as a healthful drink. With its many benefits—from improving joint health to promoting gut health—chicken bone broth recipe is a great addition to any diet. So, gather your ingredients, grab a large pot, and start simmering for a delicious, nourishing broth you’ll be proud to sip or cook with!