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Homemade Chicken Broth in labeled glass jars, ready for cooking or freezing.

Chicken Broth

Sharon Best Profile PictureSharon Best
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine Homemade
Servings 12
Calories 158 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken about 3-4 pounds
  • 4 carrots peeled and halved
  • 2 ribs celery halved
  • 2 onions quartered
  • 1 head garlic halved crosswise
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 12 cups water

Instructions
 

  • Remove any giblets from the chicken and place it in a large stockpot (at least 8 quarts).
  • Add the carrots, celery, onions, garlic, peppercorns, bay leaves, and thyme to the pot with the chicken.
    Adding chicken, vegetables, and herbs to a pot for chicken broth.
  • Pour in about 12 cups of cold water, or enough to fully cover the chicken and vegetables by 1 to 2 inches.
  • Set the pot over medium-high heat and slowly bring it to a gentle boil. This typically takes 20-25 minutes. As the broth begins to heat, skim off and discard any foam or impurities that rise to the surface.
    Bringing Chicken Broth to a gentle boil in a pot with chicken, carrots, and bay leaves.
  • Once boiling, reduce the heat to low so the liquid simmers gently. Cover partially with a lid and cook for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Using tongs, carefully transfer the chicken to a large bowl or platter to cool slightly.
  • Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth-lined colander into another large pot or heatproof bowl. Discard the cooked vegetables, herbs, and peppercorns.
    Straining homemade Chicken Broth, with cooked chicken and vegetables in a sieve.
  • Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove and discard the skin and bones. Shred the cooked chicken meat and refrigerate it for another use, such as soups, casseroles, or salads.
  • Use the broth immediately, or let it cool to room temp before refrigerating.
    Crystal-clear homemade chicken broth in a glass jar with a label.

Nutrition

Calories: 158kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 12gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 77mgFiber: 1g
Keyword chicken broth, homemade, stock
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