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Easy Homemade Chicken Bone Broth Recipe

This easy chicken bone broth recipe is a gut-healthy, flavorful staple perfect for sipping or using in recipes.
With simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can prepare a nourishing broth on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or using an instant pot, with each method offering its own convenience.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine Global
Servings 8 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 2½ pounds chicken bones from roasted or rotisserie chickens
  • 10 to 16 cups water adjust based on the cooking method
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 medium yellow onion halved
  • 2 celery stalks cut into thirds
  • 2 medium carrots halved
  • 2 garlic cloves smashed and peeled
  • 1 dried bay leaf optional

Instructions
 

Stovetop Method (15 hours):

  • Place the chicken bones, 16 cups of water, vinegar, and salt into an 8-quart stockpot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower to a gentle simmer. Skim off any foam or impurities and discard. Cover and cook for 6 hours.
  • Add onion, celery, carrots, garlic, and bay leaf (if using). Continue simmering for an additional 9 hours, keeping the broth at a gentle simmer. Avoid vigorous boiling to prevent cloudiness.
  • Strain the broth using a fine-mesh sieve into a second pot or container. Discard the solids. Let cool to room temperature before storing.

Slow Cooker Method (15 hours):

  • Add bones, 12 cups of water, vinegar, salt, and vegetables (including optional bay leaf) to a 6-quart slow cooker.
  • Cook on high for 6 hours, then reduce to low and cook for another 9 hours (total of 15 hours). For overnight cooking, continue on low until done.
  • Follow the stovetop method for straining and storing.

Instant Pot Method (2 hrs 30 mins):

  • Add bones, vinegar, salt, and vegetables (including optional bay leaf) to a 6-quart Instant Pot. Add 10 to 11 cups of water, ensuring it doesn’t exceed the max fill line.
  • Cook on high pressure for 2 hours. Let the pot naturally release pressure for 30 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
  • Strain and store as per the stovetop method.

Notes

  • For best results, cook until the chicken bones can easily be broken in half by hand. This ensures maximum nutrients are extracted.
  • The broth thickens when refrigerated due to the gelatin. It will liquefy again when reheated.
  • Adjust water levels based on your preferred broth concentration.
Keyword Chicken stock recipe, Easy bone broth recipe, easy recipes, Homemade broth ideas, Quick bone broth guide, Simple chicken broth recipe
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