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Homemade Chicken Stock

This homemade chicken stock recipe simmers for a long time to produce a thick and silky stock that will bring lots of flavors to your dishes! After you taste this, you will never buy the store stuff again.
4 from 2 votes

Ingredients  

  • 1 or 2 chicken carcasses
  • 2 celery stalks, cut into chunks
  • 1 large onion, halved
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 2 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1 bunch parsley
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
  • 2 quarts water
  • Pinch salt, optional

Instructions 

  • In a large stockpot or Dutch Oven, combine the carcass, vegetables, herbs and peppercorns.
  • Pour the water and bring to a boil, over medium-high heat. Once boiling, lower the heat to low, cover and simmer, occasionally skimming the fat that rises to the top, for 1.5 to 4 hours or until the stock is flavorful and rich. Make sure to add hot water as needed to keep the solids submerged.
  • Let the stock cool slightly. Then, set a fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl and strain the stock, discarding the solids.
  • Season with salt, if using.
  • Let the stock cool completely before transferring to airtight containers (like mason jars) and chilling in the fridge. Once it's chilled, it will solidify, making it easier to remove the fat that will rise to the top.
  • Keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 6 months.

Notes

Using homemade chicken stock in recipes:

The chicken stock might solidify after chilled, depending on how much collagen was released by the bones in the stock. If that's the case, you'll want to reheat it to bring it back to a liquid state before using it in recipes.

No leftover chicken carcass?

You can save chicken giblets and bones from chicken thighs, wings and drumsticks in the freezer and make the stock once you have enough to fill a pot (about 3-4 pounds). Adding some chicken feet is also recommended, as it contains lots of collagen and will contribute to the stock's richness.

Making it in the Instant Pot and in the Slow Cooker:

Read the post for instructions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 83kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 76mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g