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    Grits and Pinecones » Recipes » Soup

    How to Make Easy Homemade Chicken Stock

    February 19, 2019 by Sharon Rigsby, Updated October 12, 2019 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Homemade Chicken Stock Pinterest pin.

    Making Homemade Chicken Stock from scratch is one of the easiest things you will ever make and a great way to reduce food waste. Not only that, but you can save money by using up leftover chicken and vegetables past their prime. 

    A jar of homemade chicken stock with carrots and celery on a cutting board.

    Yes, I know you can buy chicken stock, but you won’t believe the difference in taste in the boxed brands vs. homemade. Not only is making your chicken stock easy, but it will also save you money.  Plus, you can control the level of sodium and ramp up the nutrition level of your stock even more by adding vegetables. 

    Chicken stock uses:

    I use chicken stock in many of my recipes. Here are just a few examples:

    Easy Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas

    Skillet Mediterranean Chicken Bake

    Creamy White Bean Soup with Broccoli

    Ultimate Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas

    Creamy Fresh Tomato Soup with Roasted Tomatoes

    New Orleans Style Shrimp Creole

    Creamy Leftover Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

    Southern Spicy Tomato-Cheese Grits

    Easy Southern Chicken and Dumplings

    Need more menu ideas or recipes, check out all of my soup recipes here, and my main dish recipes here:

    What’s in chicken stock?

    You already know that making homemade chicken stock is a great way to repurpose or utilize leftover chicken and bones. But, did you know it’s also an excellent way to use up those leftover sad, limp veggies that are past their prime in your vegetable bin?

    The usual suspects are carrots, celery, and onions, but you can also use celery leaves, carrot tops, parsnips, and leftover herbs like parsley, thyme, and rosemary. A little leftover pan sauce or gravy also works well to add extra flavor, and leftover roasted veggies can be used as well. 

    I usually make my homemade chicken stock with the leftovers from my Easy Roasted Bone-In Chicken Breasts, Cast Iron Roasted Chicken, Easy Southern Crispy Oven-Fried Chicken, or Simple Whole Grilled Lemon Chicken. Of course, if you have leftovers from a deli roasted chicken, that works great too! 

    What’s the difference between chicken stock and chicken broth?

    Now you may be wondering what the difference is between chicken stock and chicken broth? According to Food Network, chicken stock tends to be made more from bony parts, and chicken broth is made more out of meat. Chicken stock also tends to have a richer flavor, due to the gelatin released by long-simmering bones.

    Can chicken stock and broth be used interchangeably?

    The short answer is yes! I do it all of the time. There are slight taste differences, but you won’t ever notice it in most recipes. You can also substitute turkey stock. If you are in a pinch and only have vegetable broth, you could use that as well. Beef stock or broth does have a robust beefy flavor, and I would only use that if you have no other choice. And, then, I would dilute it with water. 

    How long does chicken stock last?

    In our house, chicken stock doesn’t last long because I use it all the time. However, you can store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for several months.

    How to make Easy Homemade Chicken Stock:

    Place the chicken carcasses in a 2-quart heavy-duty saucepan.

    Add vegetables, herbs, and seasonings.

    Fill the pan to the top with water and make sure the bones and vegetables are submerged.

    Vegetables in a sauce pan to make homemade chicken stock.

    Cover the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. 

    Once the water starts to boil, reduce the heat to simmer and cook covered for 4 hours. Stir occasionally and use a spoon to remove any foam that forms on top of the stock.  Add additional water if needed to keep the bones and vegetables submerged. 

    Carrots, celery and chicken bones cooking in a saucepan to make chicken stock.

    Pour the stock, bones, and all through a strainer into a clean bowl and discard the solids.

    A bowl of homemade chicken stock on a cutting board. 

    When the stock has cooled, use a spoon to remove any accumulated fat off of the top. 

    Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or up to 3 months in the freezer. 

    A jar of homemade chicken stock with a lid.

    Sharon’s Expert Tips:

    • This recipe for homemade chicken stock is more of a guide than an actual recipe. The ingredient amounts don’t have to be exact, and the vegetables and herbs that you add can be different according to what you have on hand. Experiment with different combinations. 
    • You can use raw chicken, but since I always make this stock using leftovers, my chicken is cooked. I do think the flavor is richer with chicken, which has been roasted, but you can use what you have on hand. I’ve even made chicken stock with leftover fried chicken bones. 
    • Substitute leftover turkey carcasses, and you will have fabulous turkey stock. 
    • For this recipe, I usually use the leftovers from four roasted chicken breasts or one roasted chicken. If you have more leftovers, use a larger pot and increase the total amount of vegetables, herbs, and seasonings proportionately.
    • Don’t worry if your chicken stock congeals when it’s cold. This means you rendered a lot of gelatin from the bones, and the more it resembles jelly, the deeper your flavor will be. It will melt when you heat it.

    ★ If you make Homemade Chicken Stock, please leave a comment and give this recipe a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it! Thanks so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones!

    A jar of homemade chicken stock with carrots and celery on a cutting board.

    Easy Homemade Chicken Stock Recipe

    Sharon Rigsby
    Making Homemade Chicken Stock is not only easier than you think, but it's also a great way to utilize leftover chicken and clean out your refrigerator vegetable bin. 
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 4 hrs
    Total Time 4 hrs 10 mins
    Course Soup
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 cups
    Calories 101 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb leftover roasted chicken carcass this is an approximate amount, includes leftover meat, bones, and skin
    • ½ onion chopped, peeled or unpeeled
    • 2 cloves garlic peeled and smashed
    • 2 carrots unpeeled, roughly chopped
    • 2 celery stalks and tops roughly chopped
    • 1 sprig each rosemary, thyme, and parsley use what you have, can substitute dried herbs too
    • 1 bay leaf optional
    • 2 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper or whole peppercorns
    • water to cover

    Instructions
     

    • Place the chicken carcasses in a 2-quart heavy duty saucepan.
    • Add vegetables, herbs, and seasonings.
    • Fill the pan to the top with water and make sure the bones and vegetables are submerged.
    • Cover the pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
    • Once the water starts to boil, reduce the heat to simmer and cook covered for 4 hours. Stir occasionally and use a spoon to remove any foam that forms on top of the stock. Add additional water if needed to keep the bones and vegetables submerged.
    • Pour the stock, bones and all through a strainer into a clean bowl and discard the solids.
    • When the stock has cooled, use a spoon to remove any accumulated fat off of the top.
    • Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or up to 3 months in the freezer.

    Notes

    Sharon's Expert Tips:
    • This recipe for homemade chicken stock is more of a guide than an actual recipe. The ingredient amounts don't have to be exact, and the vegetables and herbs that you add can be different according to what you have on hand. Experiment with different combinations.
    • You can use raw chicken, but since I always make this chicken stock using leftovers, my chicken is cooked. I do think the flavor is richer with chicken which has been roasted but you can use what you have on hand. I've even made chicken stock with leftover fried chicken bones.
    • Substitute leftover turkey carcasses, and you will have fabulous turkey stock. For this recipe, I usually use the leftovers from four roasted bone-in chicken breasts or one roasted chicken.
    • If you have more leftovers, simply use a larger pot and increase the total amount of vegetables, herbs, and seasonings proportionately.
    • Don't worry if your chicken stock congeals when it's cold. This simply means you rendered a lot of gelatin from the bones, and the more it resembles jelly the deeper your flavor will be. It will melt when you heat it up.
    Nutrition information can vary for a recipe based on factors such as precision of measurements, brands, ingredient freshness, or the source of nutrition data. We strive to keep the information as accurate as possible but make no warranties regarding its accuracy. We encourage readers to make their calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator, especially those with dietetic allergies and food-related diagnoses.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 101kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 24gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 652mgPotassium: 372mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 4700IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1.1mg
    Tried this recipe? Tag me today! Mention @gritspinecones or tag #gritspinecones!

    *This post updated October 12, 2019, to include expanded tips. 

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    1. Linger

      February 20, 2019 at 9:34 am

      This is such a GREAT informative post! And there is no comparison to homemade chicken stock and store bought. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply

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    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, recipe developer, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have well over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and there is nothing I like better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

    More about me →

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