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A glass mason jar brimming with liquid from homemade chicken broth recipe is nestled on a cork mat. Surrounding the jar are fresh ingredients like carrots, cilantro, and onions. In the background, white containers adorned with charming kitchen-themed illustrations complete the scene.

Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe

Melissa Griffiths
There's something special about a homemade chicken broth recipe that makes your kitchen smell amazing. This isn't just another recipe—it's a simple way to turn basic ingredients into something truly delicious!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8 cups
Calories 196 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 whole chicken (fresh or leftover, see note)
  • 2 large carrots (cut in half, peeling is optional)
  • 2 celery stalks (cut in half)
  • 1 large onion (quartered, peeling is optional)
  • 3 large tomatoes (quartered)
  • 3 teaspoons dried parsley (or 6 fresh parsley stalks)
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil (or 6 fresh basil leaves)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 4 fresh thyme sprigs)
  • 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
  • 3 teaspoons salt
  • 8 cups water (see note)

Instructions
 

  • Break chicken into pieces so it will fit easily in your stock pot.
  • Add in vegetables, herbs, peppercorns and salt.
  • Add enough water to cover everything in the pot, usually for an average size chicken, this is about 8 cups.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 2 hours, up to 4.
  • Allow to cool, strain over a bowl large enough to hold all of the broth.
  • Divide into usable portions, about 2 cups.
  • Store in fridge up to 1 week or the freezer up to 6 months. 

Notes

  • I make this most often with leftover whole chicken, so there is some meat on the bones. You can use leftover chicken or a whole fresh chicken, or chicken pieces. The broth will be more flavorful if more chicken is on the bones. 
  • Leaving the bones in will make your chicken broth solidify when it's cold, this is normal and fine. 
  • The amount of broth you will get depends on how large your chicken pieces are and how many veggies you add. You will be able to estimate this based on the amount of water you add to your pot.
  • The leftover veggies and meat from making the broth can be shredded and chopped and added back to some broth to make a soup. Get my recipe for homemade egg noodles here!

Nutrition

Calories: 196kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 15gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 962mgPotassium: 369mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 3090IUVitamin C: 9.8mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 1.4mg
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