Homemade Chicken Broth

Total Time

Prep: 10 min. Cook: 3-1/4 hours + chilling

Makes

about 6 cups

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
Wondering how to make chicken broth at home? Learn here! Rich in chicken flavor, this traditional broth is lightly seasoned with herbs. Besides making wonderful chicken soups, this chicken stock recipe can be used in casseroles, rice dishes and other recipes that call for chicken broth. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 2-1/2 pounds bony chicken pieces (legs, wings, necks or back bones)
  • 2 celery ribs with leaves, cut into chunks
  • 2 medium carrots, cut into chunks
  • 2 medium onions, quartered
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 8 to 10 whole peppercorns
  • 2 quarts cold water

Directions

  1. Place all ingredients in a soup kettle or Dutch oven. Slowly bring to a boil; reduce heat until mixture is just at a simmer. Simmer, uncovered, for 3-4 hours, skimming foam as necessary.
  2. Set chicken aside until cool enough to handle. Remove meat from bones. Discard bones; save meat for another use. Strain broth, discarding vegetables and seasonings. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Skim fat from surface.

Homemade Chicken Broth Tips

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

Chicken broth is made with meat and bones and is simmered on the stove for a relatively short amount of time. It's got a light chicken flavor and is perfect to use in soups, like our ultimate chicken noodle soup. Chicken stock is made from bones that are first roasted in the oven, then simmered for hours on the stove. The increased cooking time pulls more collagen from the bones, which deepens the flavor of the stock. It’s excellent for making sauces, like the ones in these comforting recipes that call for chicken stock.

Can you overcook chicken broth?

If you’ve added vegetables to the broth, yes you can overcook chicken broth! Carrots, celery and onion add wonderful flavor, but if they’re left to simmer too long, they can leave a strong, bitter flavor that takes over the broth.

How can I make chicken broth more flavorful?

Once the broth has finished cooking, remove the meat, bones and vegetables and continue to simmer until reduced by one third. You'll end up with a rich, luscious flavor. You can also use pan drippings from roast chicken to add to the sauce. Save it in the freezer after cooking, then pop it into your homemade broth.

How can I make chicken broth in a pinch?

If you make chicken wings at home, keep the wings and backs in your freezer and pull them out when it’s time to make broth. Use up your leftover homemade chicken broth in these chicken broth recipes!

Research contributed by Christina Herbst, Taste of Home Assistant Digital Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 25 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 130mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.