We are big on leftovers, so homemade chicken stock just makes sense! Easy, tasty, and something you can call your own!
It is BBQ season and that probably means many chicken recipes!
Chicken is one of the most popular meats, and there is always the debate about dark or white meat. However, while I know MANY prefer boneless, skinless chicken breasts, having chicken with the bone still in is essential for keeping the meat tender and juicy. But what about those bones after you are done eating the chicken? Fear not! I have a great way to use them up.
I know the pictures are not the prettiest, but how pretty can chicken stock be?!
After my sister mentioned I did not have many chicken recipes on the blog, I went about buying some bone in chicken breasts and whole chickens. Not only are they a great price when on sale, but you can easily get many, many meals out of them. In this case, these chicken bones were leftover from the Chipotle and Lime Chicken I shared with you last week. I feel no homemade chicken stock is going to taste the same because it all depends on how many bones you have and how much water you evaporate from your stock in the end. However, seasoning and tasting your stock accordingly will be essential in making an awesome homemade chicken stock. Plus, you are using every piece of the chicken!
Everyone has their own method when it comes to making stock, and today I am sharing with you my recipe. It is really easy and all the time spent on the recipe is in the simmering process. I get Mr. TCW to remove as much meat as possible off the carcass before boiling (as you can see, this time around I was in charge and I cannot do this job for the life of me!) Essentially, you can save the chicken meat for a homemade chicken noodle soup, but just remember, if you boil the meat with the carcass, it is going to become tough as it has already been cooked previously. I have seen people make homemade chicken stock from boiling a whole, raw chicken, but my method means I have already used the cook meat for an alternative recipe, leaving me with the perfect ingredients for a stock.
PS: Look at how dark my broth is?! Definitely shows the difference between homemade and store-bought (and the different ingredients included in the recipe.)
📖 Recipe
Tutorial: Homemade Chicken Stock
A great way to take that leftover chicken carcass a step further!
Ingredients
- 12 cups water
- 1 chicken carcass (mine was from a 4 lb chicken)
- 3 dry bay leaves
- Salt (be generous, and taste as you go!)
- 1 large onion
- 2 large fresh rosemary sprigs
- 3 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 2 large carrots
- 1 head of garlic
- 1 whole jalapeno (optional: will make it spicy!)
- Black pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot, add all ingredients and cover with water (adding more if necessary.) Bring to just a boil, but don't actually boil. Cook, partially covered, for 30 minutes at a light simmer.
- Stir, season accordingly, and continue cooking until desired flavor is reached (I go a good 4-6 hours!)
- Strain through a fine sieve and discard carcass and vegetables. Allow to cool to room temperature. Cover and place in refrigerator overnight.
- The following day the fat should have solidified at the top of the bowl. Skim off fat and discard.
- Strain through cheesecloth a couple of times to get rid of the last particles. Place stock into jars or use within the next few days. Stock can also be frozen!
Notes
How many cups you end up with results in how much liquid you simmer off. Don't boil the liquid or you will end up with a cloudy broth!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 56Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 137mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 4g
Really simple recipe and it can be flavored to suit your desires. I used whatever I had in the fridge, and each time my homemade chicken stock is different. I like the change because I can come up with creative soup recipes that are not just chicken noodle soup.
And there you have it, a cheap, homemade recipe that finishes off the chicken. I feel there is no waste when the bones are used up, and you can impress everyone with a soup that is completely homemade (don't forget to mention to your guests that your broth is homemade!) I shall have some soup recipes up in the next few weeks using this broth, so stay tuned!
Love this homemade chicken stock?! Try some of these recipes:
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.
I don't make chicken stock nearly often enough from my chicken bones, I need to do that more! This one looks amazing, and I love the addition of jalapeño, I will definitely be trying that!
Kacey
I never used to, Stacey, but now it is second nature. Saves me trips to the grocery store for stock!
Lauren @ Wicked Spatula
I LOVE that you added a jalapeño to your stock! I'm definitely trying that the next time I whip up a batch.
Kacey
Thanks, Lauren! I was just trying to clean out my fridge but now I have to include jalapenos in my stock!
Andi @ The Weary Chef
I'm guilty of always buying chicken stock. I'll have to try making my own with your recipe sometime!
Kacey
I mean, it is more convenient, Andi, but once you get the stock simmering, it takes little effort 🙂
Jerry
I make my own stock as well, with the exception that I always roast the bones and the vegetables before adding water. It brings a little deeper flavor to the stock in my opinion. You're absolutely right though, nothing beats a homemade chicken stock!
Kacey
Jerry, this is a great idea! Whenever I make vegetable sauces, I always roasted my veggies for deeper flavour. Going to try your trick next time!
Melanie | Melanie Makes
Making my own stock has always been on my "someday" list. I think someday needs to be one day soon!
Kacey
So easy, Melanie!!
Beth
Can I convince you to mail me a few jars? In exchange for cake of course 🙂
Kacey
Let's do this right now!! Haha.
Laura @ Petite Allergy Treats
I love making real chicken stock! It's such a great way get all the nutrients from the chicken. I cheat and use the rotisserie chicken bones.
Kacey
Nothing wrong with that, Laura! You are still putting them to more use.
Susan | LunaCafe
Homemade stock is indispensable. Wonderful that you are sharing this. 🙂
Kacey
Thanks, Susan 🙂
Kiano
I've never though to make sockout of the bones of an already cooked chicken!
Kacey
Trust me, it works!
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling
I love all those herbs and seasonings! Looks incredible!