I’ve made chicken stock a number of different ways over the years. I’ve made fancy versions and herb versions and beyond simple versions. I’ve made chicken stocks with a ton of ingredients and chicken stocks with just two ingredients.
This is the chicken stock recipe I make more than any other. It’s easy and fast enough to make in a hurry and the flavor is so perfect that I make it even when I have ample time.
Homemade Chicken Stock
Too many home cooks shy away from making their own stocks and broths because they assume it’s a time consuming or labor intensive process. Why do it when we have so many brands of canned and shelf-stable stocks of every kind and flavor available at the grocery store?
The answer is easy: because homemade chicken stock tastes so good!
There’s nothing wrong with canned stocks. I also use them from time to time and they’re convenient to keep around for when I run out of my homemade stash.
That said, making your own chicken stock really is worth it. Homemade chicken stock is flavorful, savory and can be perfectly customized to suit your tastes.
Got leftover chicken bones or the remains of a whole cooked chicken? Put it to work before discarding it to save on the cost of buying canned chicken stock from the store.
I enjoy playing with different herb and spice blends in my homemade stock. I also love that I can control the saltiness level!
Canned broths tend to be higher in sodium and often require me to think ahead and adjust the amount of salt called for in each recipe. With homemade broth, you can add as much or as little salt as you like or even omit it altogether.
Stock vs. Broth
What’s the difference between chicken stock and chicken broth? They may seem identical at first glance but there are a few key differences.
Stock is made from the bones or leftover carcass of a chicken. Chicken broth is usually made from the chicken meat itself.
Simmering the bones to make stock extracts a different kind of chicken flavor and may result in a thicker fuller “mouth feel” than broth which runs thinner. Broth tends to be lighter in color than stock and canned chicken broth is often much saltier.
I use stock in all kinds of soups, stews, and sauces because I love the flavor. You can substitute broth for stock in most recipes and visa versa but keep in mind that it might affect the flavor and texture slightly.
Making Chicken Stock
Call me lazy, but all you really need to do to make chicken stock is add water to chicken bones and let it all simmer. I’m listing optional ingredients below, but feel free to just add water and leave it at that!
Adding a few vegetables to your stock as it simmers can add a ton of delicious flavor. My favorites are carrots, celery and onions and I sometimes add parsley too for a little bit of herbiness.
Thyme and rosemary are other great additions to your stock if you’re looking for more of an herbed flavor. Peppercorns can add a little spice. Feel free to play around with different combinations each time you make this homemade stock.
This stock can be simmered for just a couple of hours or for as long as 24 hours. It can be made on the stove-top or in the crock-pot.
Slow Cooker Chicken Stock
Chicken Stock is a fantastic recipe to make in your crock pot or other favorite slow cooker. I’m always in favor of recipes that don’t require a ton of fuss or monitoring and this one definitely fits the bill.
To make homemade chicken stock in the crock pot, simply toss all the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it cook on low (or simmer) for at least 8 – 12 hours. I’ve even left it in the crock pot for 24 to 48 hours!
All you need to do while the stock is simmering is check the pot every now and then to make sure the stock isn’t running too dry.You know your stock is done when the color turns a rich golden brown. The texture will be slightly gelatinous and may become more so as it’s cooled.
Other than the occasional check in, you can go about the rest of your day and have a batch of delicious homemade chicken stock with hardly any effort at all.
Slow cookers or crockpots are an appliance of which I have more than one. If you are an avid slow cooker user like I am, you might understand the need for more than one. So, let’s talk about my favorites:
First up is this 6-quart slow cooker that has a locking lid. These crockpots are fantastic for transporting foods. Mine has gone everywhere from church potlucks to barbecues, game nights to Thanksgiving dinner. However, fair warning, these slow cookers run crazy hot. Low is closer to a boil than a simmer, the warm setting actually simmers. So trust me when I say HIGH is high.
My everyday slow cooker is this 8-quart Crockpot. It’s my go-to appliance for cooking large roasts and big batches of chili. Fun fact: did you know that a full 4-quart cooker, actually cooks more slowly than a half-full 8-quart cooker?
For just cooking a few pounds of chicken to shred for enchiladas or other smaller recipes, this 3-quart version is perfect.
Thanksgiving has become a breeze since I have mastered how to hold all of the side dishes using these medium-sized round slow cookers.
If you aren’t a fan of the idea of keeping more than one slow cooker in the house, these CrockPockets are a game-changer when it comes to preparing and holding multiple dishes at the same time. They slide into a standard 6-quart crockpot, dividing it into two sections that are perfect for serving different side dishes or keeping taco fillings warm for parties.
Chicken Stock Recipe
If you have never made your own chicken stock, don’t be intimidated. It really is simple enough for anyone to do. You can always add spices, salt and pepper after the stock is made, when you are ready to use it.
Chicken stock is a staple ingredient for home cooks and I use it in tons of recipes including Chicken with Mushrooms, Chicken Marsala , and Chorizo Lentil Soup. It’s a great way to add moisture to homemade bread stuffing and as a base for almost any kind of soup you can imagine.
The uses for homemade chicken stock are endless!
Kitchen Tips: How to Make Homemade Chicken Stock
Ingredients
- 1 chicken carcass or about ½ lb worth of chicken bones
- Include any available extra skin or chicken fat this will add a great deal of flavor and it will thicken the stock as well
- Optional: celery carrots, onion, parsley, salt, pepper
Instructions
- Place the chicken bones and chicken skin along with any optional ingredients in a large pot and cover with plenty of water. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Simmer for about 2 hours. The stock is done when the water turns a deep golden color.
- Crock-Pot Directions: Place all ingredients in the crockpot and simmer on low for 8-12 hours. You can simmer it as long as 48 hours as well. Simply check the level of liquid periodically and add water as needed, so that the stock doesn’t go dry.
- Pour the stock through a strainer into a large bowl or pitcher. Let it cool in the refrigerator overnight. When it is cool, skim the top layer off the stock and discard. It should now be thick and gelatinous, similar to egg whites or loose jello. Transfer to jars and store in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for several months.
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
Would you believe I've never made homemade chicken stock! you have inspired me to get going – you make it sound easy!
Mary x
EcoCatLady says
I'm a big fan of homemade chicken stock. Because I'm allergic to both celery and parsley it's practically impossible to find commercially produced stock that I can eat! Being the cheapskate that I am, I Keep a "stock bag" in the freezer and fill it with chicken bones, veggie scraps etc. When the bag is full I take it out and make stock. No two batches turnout exactly the same, but it works for me! 🙂
hobby baker says
The color on your broth sure is rich and pretty! Homemade stock gives so much more to soups and dishes. I keep a bag of veggie peelings and trimmings in the freezer for adding to the stock pot – onion, celery, carrot. I usually make our stock because of my daughter's allergies, though there is one brand of chicken stock I can buy. No beef though. For years I've used the slow cooker method and it turns out nice, but hubby doesn't like the smell of bone broth for 12-18 hours, especially when I put a package of feet in it. Yesterday I finally broke in my big pressure cooker and I don't think I'll ever go back. Great color, flavor and thickness and done in an hour. So much easier than my little 3 qt crock pot. 😉
Sue/the view from great island says
I'm guilty—I never make my own chicken stock, but our idea of letting the crock pot do the work really interests me, I'm going to try it. Part of my problem is that I don't cook a lot of whole chickens, so no carcasses. Can you make stock out of just random leftover chicken bones?
Joy Bee says
This is the way i've been doing it. Good to know that I'm not doing it wrong. I always feel bad throwing bones away so I save them anytime I can for all kinds of stocks. Sometimes I even keep my shrimp peels for shrimp stock. The crock pot is a neat idea.
Paige Flamm says
I always knew there had to be an easy way to do this instead of buying cans upon cans upon cans at the store! Thanks for sharing!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.blogspot.com
Anonymous says
I am a waste-not-want-not cook. Whenever I have chicken bones, skin, wing tips etc. I throw it all in a ziploc in the freezer. When it's full, I do the stock. Sometimes if I have veggie scraps I'll throw them in too, but usually it's just the chicken.
I like to brown the bones and bits on a cookie sheet before throwing into the stockpot- toss the bones and skin etc. on a cookie sheet or roasting pan at 350 for 20 minutes to a half hour, till you get lots of those yummy brown bits on the pan. Then scrape it all in to the water and simmer it for stock. You get a deeper color and richer flavor, and it's super easy. And nothing gets wasted.
Candy K. says
Wonderful idea! Never thought about it but LOVE the crispy chicken skin on baked chicken or turkey!!
Heather Saunders says
I need to make some chicken stock for use in my cat’s food. The butcher at the store said to just cover the whole chicken with water and simmer it all day. I don’t want to add any spice., But your recipe,(unless I misunderstand) says to use the skin, bones and carcass. Which is correct?
Thank you–
Mary Younkin says
You can certainly make the stock using a whole chicken, but it works nicely with just the skin, bones, and carcass. If you boil all the meat with it, you won’t want to use the meat later – it loses a lot of flavor. And I honestly don’t think it makes a difference in the final stock.
Nicola Kilcoyne-Seru says
I love this idea, I always wanted to make my own stock but never had a clue. I’m liking the salt free option, so I can add it to my dogs food to make it a bit more tasty.but also to make my own gravy. However, I cannot use onions or leeks for my dogs version as it’s toxic for dogs.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad it was helpful, Nicola!
mike says
I let mine cook for 24 to 42 hours on a low simmer and never add salt to be sodium free if possible.
I used 3 left over roasted chicken with the bones and skin for my batch on the stove at the moment
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you’re enjoying the homemade stock, Mike!
eg says
I KNOW WHEN YOU MAKE BEEF BOnE STOCK YOU CAN SMEAR The BONES WITH TOMOATO PASte and roast them in them in the oven first. gives it a rich carmel like flavor. does this work with chicken bones too?
eg
Mary Younkin says
Honestly, I don’t know? I’m guessing yes, but I haven’t done that myself.
Ladybug13 says
I’ve been making chicken bone broth for a long time. I always add 1-2 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar. It help leach the minerals out of the bones. I also Nuke my egg shells & keep them in an old coffee can & then add those as well (great source of calcium). I will let simmer in the stove for about 24 hours. I tend to drink a cup of it in the am! Yummy!
Bhavesh says
I have tried this amazing homemade chicken recipe and i found this recipe really amazing. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Also here i have a special homemade chicken gyro with tzatziki recipe. Check out the recipe here: https://www.foodybud.com/homemade-chicken-gyro-with-tzatziki/%5D
Robin Carter says
Hi!
Thank you for all the recipes and tips! I thought you may like one of my tips. When I make soup or stock with boned chicken/turkey I always tie it up in a piece of cheesecloth then throw it in the pot and make the soup/stock as usual. After an hour or two, I pull the cheesecloth out, cool and debone then put the meat back in. That way there’s no chance of bones in the soup. Hope you find this as useful as I do!
Mary Younkin says
That’s an awesome tip, Robin. Thanks!
Still attempting to cook girl says
Looks like a really easy & doable recipe for a untalented ( but trying) cook! But my biggest drawback is hating to sieve through the chicken soup afterwards to attempt to find all the little tiny remaining bones. Is there something I could contain the chicken carcass in, a bag or?? to keep everything together but still simmering in the soup? I’ve never tried cooking it for 12 hrs though-does this actually dissolve those bones so none remain?
Mary Younkin says
First of all good for you! I am impressed that you are teaching yourself to cook. Believe it or not years ago I was in your shoes and literally taught myself to cook exactly like you are and I found I loved writing my notes down and making recipes and here we are today! When making the stock the flavor is coming from the chicken bones, skin, and parts you are cooking down. They do not dissolve so you will want to strain it when you are done. Good luck on your cooking journey. I hope you find lots of useful recipes and tips on this site.