Chicken Bone Broth Recipe (How To Make Homemade Bone Broth)
This chicken bone broth recipe has become a staple in my kitchen, especially after big meals when I have leftover roast chicken or a chicken carcass sitting in the fridge. Instead of tossing it, I turn it into a rich broth that I can use all week long in everything from chicken soup to rice and quick meals.
There’s something really satisfying about making your own chicken bone broth from scratch. It’s simple, it uses what you already have, and it fills your kitchen with that slow-simmered, comforting aroma. It also saves a ton of money! Not sure if you’ve seen how much a little carton of chicken bone broth costs these days. You get so much more when you make it at home, and for a fraction of the cost. I love knowing I always have a jar in the fridge or freezer ready to go, whether I need a great base for one of my favorite recipes or just want a warm, nourishing cup to sip on.
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Beyond how versatile it is, this homemade bone broth is packed with nutrients that support gut health, the intestinal lining, and even joint health thanks to the collagen released during the long cook time. It’s one of those simple, traditional foods that truly delivers both flavor and function.
What is Bone Broth?
Homemade bone broth is made by simmering raw bones, cooked chicken, or even turkey bones over a longer time to extract minerals, amino acids, and collagen. Unlike homemade chicken stock or homemade broth, bone broth is cooked for a longer cook time, resulting in a rich broth that often gels the next day.
This gelatin supports the intestinal lining and may help with joint pain, making bone broth popular for its many health benefits.
Health Benefits of Bone Broth
Bone broth has been used for generations, not just for its rich flavor but for its powerful health benefits. When you simmer chicken carcasses, raw bones, or even turkey bones over a long time, you extract valuable nutrients that support the body in several ways.
Supports Gut Health
Bone broth contains gelatin, which comes from collagen. This can help support the intestinal lining and may be especially beneficial if you are focusing on improving gut health.
Rich in Collagen
A properly made homemade chicken bone broth recipe contains tons of collagen, which supports skin elasticity, hair health, and joint comfort. This is especially helpful for those dealing with joint pain
Provides Essential Minerals
Using apple cider vinegar or lemon juice helps pull minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus from the bones into the broth, making it a natural source of important nutrients.
Nourishment That is Easy to Digest
Because it is slow-simmered, bone broth is gentle on digestion and a great option when you want something light but nourishing. It’s often used during times of rest, recovery, or when you need a simple, comforting food.
Supports Overall Wellness
From immune support to hydration, this healthy chicken bone broth is a great way to add more nutrient-dense foods into your routine without much extra effort.
Chicken Stock vs Chicken Bone Broth
While they’re often used interchangeably, homemade chicken stock and a true chicken bone broth recipe are a bit different in both cook time and nutrition.
Chicken stock is made from chicken bones and some chicken meat, often from a whole chicken or leftover roast chicken. It has a shorter cook time, usually about 2 to 4 hours on the stove top or as a slow cooker chicken broth. The result is a lighter cooking liquid with a mild flavor that works well as a great base for chicken soup and everyday recipes.
Chicken bone broth is made using enough bones like chicken carcasses, leftover chicken bones, or even pounds of chicken bones, and is cooked for a longer time, typically 6 to 24 hours. This longer cook time allows much collagen to be released, creating a rich broth that often gels the next day. It also gives you more of the health benefits, including support for gut health and the intestinal lining, as well as a higher protein content.
In short, homemade chicken stock is quicker and lighter, while a homemade bone broth is slower, richer, and more nutrient-dense. Both are useful, but bone broth is the best way to get a deeply nourishing, collagen-rich result.
Ingredients
1 chicken carcass or leftover roast chicken bones
12 to 16 cups filtered water (use enough water to cover bones by 1 to 2 inches)
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/2 onion, quartered
2 bay leaves
1 tsp whole peppercorns
1 tsp sea salt (optional)
How to Make This Chicken Bone Broth Recipe
Step 1: Add bones to water
Place the chicken carcasses, leftover chicken bones, or even pounds of chicken bones into a large pot or big pot. Add apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to the pot along with 12-16 cups of water. It should be enough water to cover the chicken bones by about 1-2 inches. Let sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
Step 2: First Long Simmer (bones only)
Slowly heat until the broth reaches a light simmer. Reduce heat to low immediately. Do not boil. Simmer bones for 6 to 24 hours. This is the most important stage of a homemade chicken bone broth recipe because it extracts gelatin, collagen, and minerals from the bones. Skim foam during the first hour if needed.
Step 3: Add vegetables
After at least 6 hours, chop the carrots and celery into 1 to 2 inch pieces and quarter the onion.
Add chopped carrots, celery, onion, bay leaves, peppercorns and salt (if using) to the pot.
Step 4: Second simmer with vegetables
Continue simmering for 1 to 2 hours to infuse flavor without overcooking the vegetables.
Step 5: Strain and cool
Strain through a fine mesh strainer, lined with a cheesecloth and allow to cool completely before storing.
Slow Cooker Method
For slow cooker chicken broth, add everything to the slow cooker except vegetables. Cook on low heat for 6 to 24 hours. Add vegetables in the final 1 to 2 hours.
This slow cooker chicken bone broth method is perfect for hands-off cooking and works well for busy schedules.
How to Get the Gel
A properly made homemade bone broth will gel after cooling, often by the next day. This is due to the collagen extracted from joints and connective tissue.
For best results:
– Use enough bones like wings, necks, or chicken carcasses
– Simmer for a longer time
– Avoid too much water
– Use low heat for slow extraction
You may also notice solidified fat or chicken fat at the top of the jar. This is normal and adds extra flavor.
How to Use Bone Broth
This delicious chicken bone broth is incredibly versatile and a great base for many delicious recipes.
Chicken Soup
This is one of the most classic uses. A homemade chicken bone broth creates a deeply flavorful, nourishing chicken soup with very little extra effort. Just add cooked chicken, vegetables, and noodles or rice for a comforting meal.
Bolognese & Sauces
Use bone broth as part of the cooking liquid in Bolognese or tomato-based sauces. It adds richness and depth that you just don’t get from water or store-bought broth. I prefer to use beef broth for my bolognese sauce. You can find the recipe here.
Braises or Curry Sauce
Bone broth is a great base for braising meats like chicken thighs, beef, or pork. As it slowly cooks, it helps tenderize the meat while building a rich, flavorful sauce.
Cooked Rice or Grains
Swap water for bone broth when cooking rice, quinoa, or farro. It’s a simple change that adds both flavor and extra nutrition to everyday meals.
Sipping
Sometimes the simplest way is the best. Warm a mug of bone broth with a pinch of salt and sip it on its own. This is especially nice in the morning or as a light afternoon boost.
How to Store Bone Broth
Refrigerator
Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container, mason jars, or a canning jar for up to 5 days.
Freezer
Freeze in freezer containers, mason jars, or a freezer bag for up to 6 months. If you’re using glass mason jars, then just leave enough room at the top of the jar for expansion. I typically only fill the jars 3/4 of the way full if I’m freezing.
FAQ
Can I use a whole chicken?
Yes, a whole chicken or rotisserie chickens from the grocery store both work well. You can cook the entire chicken for a chicken dinner and then use the bones for broth. This is what I do almost weekly!
Can I use raw bones?
Yes, raw bones or leftover roast chicken both work. Roasting bones first can add extra flavor.
What if I do not have enough bones?
Try saving bones in a freezer bag until you have enough bones for a full batch.
Why add apple cider vinegar or lemon juice?
It helps extract minerals and enhances the health benefits of your homemade chicken stock or broth.
How long should I cook it?
12 or more hours is optimal, but even 6 hours works! A longer time produces a richer broth.
Why didn’t my broth gel?
If you’re broth didn’t gel, here are some potential reasons why:
- Too much water compared to the amount of bones
- Not enough collagen-rich bones (like joints, wings, necks)
- Cook time wasn’t long enough
- Very lean bones or very trimmed carcass (not much fat or connective tissue)
What is the fat layer at the top of my cooled broth?
A layer of chicken fat may rise to the top of the jar. This helps preserve the broth and can be skimmed or used in cooking. This is different than the gel. Gel is underneath and has a wobbly, jello-like texture, while fat is on top and is more solid and greasy or waxy. If you’re broth doesn’t have either, don’t worry, you will still get plenty of health benefits and it is still delicious.
What is the difference between broth and stock?
Homemade chicken stock uses more meat and cooks for less time, while bone broth focuses on bones and long extraction.
Final Thoughts
Making your own chicken bone broth is a simple, practical way to turn leftover chicken bones or a chicken carcass into something nourishing and useful. Whether it turns out thick and gelatinous or lighter like a homemade chicken broth, it still adds flavor and nutrition to your meals.
Once you get into the habit of saving bones and keeping broth on hand, it becomes an easy staple for soups, grains, and quick meals. Keep it simple, use enough bones and water, and give it time. The rest gets easier every batch.
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Chicken Bone Broth Recipe (How To Make Homemade Bone Broth)
Ingredients
- 1 chicken carcass or left over roast chicken bones
- 12-16 cups filtered water
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- 2 medium carrots chopped
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 1/2 onion quartered
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp whole peppercorns
- 1 tsp sea salt optional
Instructions
- Place the chicken carcasses, leftover chicken bones, or even pounds of chicken bones into a large pot.. Add apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to the pot, along with 12-16 cups of water. It should be enough water to cover the chicken bones by about 1-2 inches. Let sit for 20 to 30 minutes.1 chicken carcass or left over roast chicken bones, 12-16 cups filtered water, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Slowly heat until the broth reaches a light simmer. Reduce heat to low immediately. Do not boil. Simmer bones for 6 to 24 hours. This is the most important stage of a homemade chicken bone broth recipe because it extracts gelatin, collagen, and minerals from the bones. Skim foam during the first hour if needed.
- After at least 6 hours, chop the carrots and celery into 1 to 2 inch pieces and quarter the onion. Add chopped carrots, celery, onion, bay leaves, peppercorns and salt (if using) to the pot.2 medium carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1/2 onion, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp whole peppercorns, 1 tsp sea salt
- Continue simmering for 1 to 2 hours to infuse flavor without overcooking the vegetables.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer, lined with a cheesecloth and allow to cool completely before storing.
