Better Homes And Gardens Chicken Stuffing

How to Make Chicken Broth

Even though you can purchase chicken broth in boxes or cans, the best-tasting broth comes from your own kitchen. Fortunately, learning how to make chicken broth takes little time and effort. Homemade chicken broth can be used in soups, stews, and so much more. You can even learn how to make gravy with chicken broth!

The best chicken broth is the one you make in your own kitchen. A chicken broth recipe starts with boney chicken pieces, a collection of vegetables and herbs, and water. A basic chicken broth simmers for a couple of hours, but if you are looking for deeper flavor, opt for a rich-tasting bone broth or a longer-simmering slow cooker chicken broth. Using the tips below, follow this basic chicken broth recipe.

What is the difference between chicken stock and chicken broth?

Chicken broth and chicken stock can be used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same. What is the difference?

Chicken Broth Chicken broth is made by simmering chicken pieces, vegetables, and seasonings as shown below.

Chicken Stock Chicken stock has a darker color and richer flavor than broth. The bones are roasted, then simmered with vegetables and seasoning.

Fill the Pot

chicken broth how to: cutting chicken wing

Start with bony chicken pieces. These include the wings, backs, and necks which are loaded with flavor. Leave the skin on and cut the wings at the joints—both of these steps contribute flavor to the final broth.

Use a tall pot big enough so all the chicken and vegetable pieces are immersed and there is room at the top for the water to boil. Add the chicken pieces, vegetables, and seasonings to the pot then pour the cold water over top. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, until done.

Strain and Skim the Broth

chicken broth how to: broth separation with cheese cloth

Strain Line a fine-mesh sieve or colander with cheesecloth, and place it over a large bowl. Carefully pour or spoon everything from the pot into the sieve, removing chicken pieces and setting them aside. This will probably have to be done in batches. Discard the vegetables and seasonings. If desired, when chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the meat for another use and discard the skin and bones.

Skim Remove the fat from the broth. If the broth to be used immediately, use a fat separator, which is a small pitcher specially designed for this task. Or skim the fat from the top of the broth using a large shallow spoon. An easier way is to chill the broth overnight, then lift the solidified fat from the top of the broth. Transfer the broth to airtight containers; cover. Refrigerate broth up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Using Homemade Chicken Broth

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Use homemade chicken broth in any recipe that calls for chicken broth. One 14.5-ounce can of broth is equal to about 1-3/4 cups.

Chicken Soup If you want a chicken broth soup, Chicken Noodle Soup is the classic comfort food. The broth is often made as the first step in the recipe, but shortcut versions use prepared broth and cooked chicken.

Chicken Stew Stew is not a broth-based soup, but broth is a key element in almost all chicken stew recipes.

Noodle Bowls Asian-style noodle bowls are a light and fresh way to enjoy a broth-based dinner.

Chicken Gravy Learn how to make gravy with chicken broth and the drippings from a roast chicken. The flavor of homemade chicken gravy is unbeatable.

Making Rice Use chicken broth as the liquid when cooking rice to give it deeper flavor.

Classic Chicken Noodle Soup