Print

Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe

4.7 from 119 reviews

This homemade chicken broth recipe yields a rich and flavorful base made from rotisserie chicken bones and fresh vegetables simmered for hours. Perfect for soups, stews, sauces, or sipping on its own, this broth is easy to prepare and naturally nourishing.

Ingredients

Scale

Broth Ingredients

  • 1 lb bones/leftovers from rotisserie chicken or whole cooked chicken scraps
  • 4 stalks celery
  • 4 whole carrots
  • 1 head garlic (unpeeled and halved)
  • 2 whole bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
  • 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
  • 1 whole onion
  • 6 cups water
  • 5 sprigs fresh thyme

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: Add the chicken bones or scraps, celery, carrots, unpeeled halved garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, kosher salt, onion, water, and fresh thyme sprigs into a large pot to prepare for simmering.
  2. Bring to Boil: Place the pot on the stovetop over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil to start the cooking process.
  3. Simmer the Broth: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the broth simmer gently for 2-3 hours. The longer you simmer, the more concentrated and flavorful the broth will become.
  4. Strain the Broth: Remove the pot from heat and carefully strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl to remove solids and impurities.
  5. Cool the Broth: Set the bowl aside to let the broth cool to room temperature, making it easier to handle the next step.
  6. Skim the Fat: After cooling, skim off the layer of fat that has risen to the top for a cleaner, less greasy broth.
  7. Store the Broth: Transfer the finished broth into airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.

Notes

  • Use leftover roasted chicken bones or carcass for a richer flavor.
  • Unpeeled garlic adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the broth.
  • Simmering time can be extended up to 4 hours for maximum flavor extraction.
  • Straining carefully ensures a clear broth without vegetable or bone fragments.
  • Skimming fat is optional but recommended for a lower-fat broth.
  • Frozen broth can be stored for up to 3 months and thawed as needed.
  • Add salt at the end or adjust to taste when using the broth in recipes to avoid oversalting.

Keywords: homemade chicken broth, chicken stock, broth from rotisserie chicken, homemade soup base, chicken bone broth, easy chicken broth recipe