Introduction
Chicken bone broth is a nutrient-rich soup that is beneficial for health and has gained popularity in recent years. It’s incredibly easy to make and is perfect for those on a budget. In this article, we will explore how to make delicious, nutritious chicken bone broth at home. Let’s dive in!
The Ultimate Guide to Making Chicken Bone Broth: A Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners
Chicken bone broth is a flavorful and nutrient-dense liquid that’s made by simmering chicken bones, vegetables, and herbs in water for an extended period of time. The result is a broth that’s packed with collagen, amino acids, and minerals that are essential for healthy bones, skin, and nails. Making chicken bone broth is easy and requires only a few ingredients. Here is a detailed step-by-step tutorial with pictures for making chicken bone broth from scratch.
- Begin by collecting your ingredients. You will need:
- 3-4 pounds of chicken bones (These can be leftover bones from a roasted chicken or chicken pieces that contain bones. You can also use a whole chicken cut into pieces.)
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped
- 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- A handful of fresh herbs, such as thyme, parsley, or rosemary
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 12-16 cups of water, enough to cover the bones and vegetables in the pot.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the chicken bones on a baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes or until they turn golden brown. This step is optional but will add flavor to the broth.
- In a large pot, add roasted chicken bones, chopped vegetables, garlic cloves, herbs, and apple cider vinegar. Pour enough water to cover everything in the pot.
- Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Skim off any foam that forms on the surface of the broth.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the broth cook for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight. The longer the broth simmers, the more flavorful and nutritious it will be. If the water level drops below the ingredients’ level, add more water to ensure everything is covered.
- After 8-12 hours of cooking, strain the broth through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth and discard the solids.
- Cool the broth to room temperature, and then refrigerate overnight or until the layer of fat on top solidifies. You can remove the fat or leave it in for added flavor.
- Reheat the broth and serve it by itself or in recipes that call for broth.
Here are some tips and tricks for perfecting the broth:
- Use high-quality, free-range chickens that are free of antibiotics and hormones. This will make the broth more nutritious and flavorful.
- Add more vegetables for a richer flavor and more nutrients.
- Add salt and pepper to taste once the broth is finished.
- Make a big batch and freeze portions in airtight containers for later use.
10 Reasons Why You Should Add Chicken Bone Broth to Your Diet
Incorporating chicken bone broth into your diet can provide numerous health benefits, including:
- Improved joint health: Chicken bone broth is rich in collagen, glucosamine, and chondroitin, which can help improve joint health and reduce inflammation.
- Better digestion: The gelatin in chicken bone broth can help soothe and heal the gut lining, which can improve digestion and reduce inflammation in the digestive tract.
- Healthy skin and nails: The collagen and amino acids in the broth can help promote healthy skin and nails, reducing wrinkles and brittleness.
- Immune system support: The minerals and amino acids in chicken bone broth can help boost the immune system and improve overall health.
- Better sleep: Drinking chicken bone broth can help you sleep better because it contains the amino acid glycine, which has sleep-promoting properties.
- Increased energy levels: The nutrients in chicken bone broth can help increase energy levels and fight fatigue.
- Improved brain function: The amino acids in chicken bone broth can help improve brain function and lower stress levels.
- Fights inflammation: Chicken bone broth contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce inflammation throughout the body.
- Reduced symptoms of colds and flu: Drinking chicken bone broth can help reduce the severity of colds and flu symptoms because it contains immune-boosting compounds.
- Weight loss: Drinking chicken bone broth can help you feel fuller for longer, reducing cravings and promoting weight loss.
Here’s a recipe for a classic chicken bone broth:
- 1 whole chicken carcass, or 3-4 pounds assorted chicken bones.
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped
- 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- A handful of fresh herbs, such as thyme, parsley, or rosemary
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 12-16 cups of water, enough to cover the bones and vegetables in the pot.
Follow the steps provided in the previous section to make your classic chicken bone broth.
Easy Chicken Bone Broth Recipes That Will Help You Stay Healthy All Winter
Chicken bone broth is versatile and can be customized to suit your tastes. Here are some easy variations:
Spicy Chicken Bone Broth
- Add 1-2 chopped jalapeno peppers or cayenne powder to the pot with the other ingredients.
- Add 1-2 diced tomatoes for added flavor.
Thai-Inspired Chicken Bone Broth
- Add 1-2 Thai chili peppers or red pepper flakes to the pot with the other ingredients.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of fish sauce for added flavor.
- Use lemongrass and ginger in place of the traditional herbs for added Thai flavor.
Vegetable-Heavy Chicken Bone Broth
- Replace half of the chicken bones with vegetable scraps like carrot peels, onion skins, or mushroom stems.
- Add extra celery, carrots, onions, and garlic for a heartier, veggie-packed flavor.
Follow the same steps as in the tutorial to make each of these variations, following the ingredient adjustments above.
How to Make Homemade Chicken Bone Broth in Less Than an Hour
If you’re short on time, you can still enjoy the benefits of chicken bone broth by making it in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot.
- Follow the same steps as in the tutorial above, but use half the amount of water since the Instant Pot or pressure cooker requires less liquid to bring to pressure.
- Set the Instant Pot or pressure cooker to high pressure for 45 minutes.
- Allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes and then release any remaining pressure manually.
- Strain and store in the same way as the classic chicken bone broth recipe above.
Making chicken bone broth in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot can save time and deliver the same delicious results as the traditional, longer method. Plus, it’s a great option for busy weeknights.
Chicken Bone Broth vs. Store-Bought Broth: Why Homemade Is Better and How to Do It
While store-bought broth may be more convenient, homemade chicken bone broth is much more nutritious and flavorful. Store-bought broth is often filled with additives, preservatives, and excess salt. A high-quality homemade chicken bone broth made with fresh, natural ingredients is free of all of these and is much better for your health. Here’s how to make it:
- Follow the classic chicken bone broth recipe provided earlier in this article.
- After straining the broth, let it cool to room temperature.
- Pour the broth into ice cube trays and freeze overnight.
- Remove the broth cubes from the trays and store them in labeled, airtight containers or freezer bags in the freezer for up to six months.
By making homemade chicken bone broth in large quantities and freezing it in portions, you’ll always have flavorful, nutritious broth on hand when you need it.
Conclusion
Making chicken bone broth is incredibly easy and has numerous health benefits that can help improve your overall wellbeing. Whether you’re using it as a base for soups and stews or sipping it on its own, chicken bone broth is a delicious and nutrient-rich addition to your diet. By following the recipes provided in this article, you can easily make a tasty homemade broth that’s perfect for staying healthy all winter long.
So why not give it a try? Your body will thank you for it.
