Fresh, homemade chicken stock that will make you rethink picking up that carton the next time you’re at the store.
Follow along with the video!
During my last semester of college, I took a catering class at a local community college. On the first day, the instructor told the class a little bit about his history and how he came to be a chef.
One of the anecdotes that resonated with me was that he immigrated to the U.S. from Italy, around middle school age, and that until he moved here, he had no idea you could buy chicken stock, or any stock for that matter, in a carton or can. Making chicken stock at home was a weekly ritual in his family and the norm in his neighborhood, like mowing the lawn.
I love that story. It’s so simple, but has so much heart! Because this site has evolved into one for people who love to cook from-scratch and those who enjoy spending time in the kitchen, I felt it was my duty to post a basic chicken stock recipe. I’m not saying that you should make broth brewing a weekly ritual (although it might become one!), but it’s here if you need it.
In searching for a recipe, I knew exactly who to turn to – the queen of chicken herself, Ina Garten. With her winning lemon chicken recipe (the most popular recipe on The PKP Way!), I completely trusted her for the best from-scratch chicken stock recipe.
Once again, she delivered. The recipe couldn’t be simpler. Simply simmer together a whole fresh chicken with some root vegetables and staple herbs and spices for a few hours.
Then, strain and refrigerate. The next day, the broth will have separated and the fat will have solidified at the top for you to remove (if you wish). That’s it! Fresh, homemade, chicken stock to use however you choose.
I store my batch in the refrigerator because I go through chicken broth quickly (within days), but you can freeze it if you won’t be using it for a while.
Homemade Chicken Stock
Ingredients
- 1 5 to 6 pounds whole, fresh chicken, rinsed and patted dry
- 1 large yellow onion, left unpeeled, quartered
- 2 carrots, left unpeeled, halved
- 3 stalks celery, leaves left on, cut into thirds
- 3 parsnips, left unpeeled, halved
- 6 sprigs fresh parsley
- 5 sprigs fresh thyme
- 6 sprigs fresh dill
- 1 head garlic, unpeeled, halved crosswise
- 2 teaspoons salt plus more to season
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorn
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, add the chicken, onion, carrots, celery, parsnips, parsley, thyme, dill, garlic, 2 teaspoons of salt, and peppercorn.
- Add 3 quarts (12 cups) of water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and allow to simmer uncovered for 2 hours.
- Carefully remove the chicken and large vegetable pieces. Strain broth into a large bowl, through a sieve, to remove any remaining small pieces of herbs and vegetables.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours. The fat will separate and rise to the top. Use a spoon to scrape off the fat (optional).
- Store broth in airtight containers in the refrigerator (up to 5 days) or freezer (up to 3 months).
Notes
Adapted from Ina Garten.
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People don’t realize that stock making is such an artform! I love seeing how others do it and then tweaking my own process. Nothing like a good stock.
Right! And the beauty of it is that you really can’t go wrong with whatever you put in the pot!
I love making homemade stock! I always keep my veggie scraps to do it!
That’s a great alternative to composting!
I adore making my own chicken stock- I’ve got to try your recipe! Thank you!
I hope you enjoy it!
So easy!
Seriously! I need larger stock pots so I can make more each time :)