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If you’re looking for a delicious chicken broth to enjoy on its own or to use in soups, casseroles, or countless other recipes, you’ll love this recipe.

Making homemade chicken broth is simple—just toss a few ingredients into a large stockpot, let it simmer for about 3 hours, and you’ll end up with about 12 cups, about six standard cans. Say goodbye to store-bought broth that’s been sitting on a shelf for weeks, and try making your own fresh, homemade chicken broth instead!

Why you’ll love this homemade Chicken Broth

Rich, homemade flavor – Slow-simmered chicken and vegetables create a deeper, more comforting flavor than anything from a box or can.
No preservatives or additives – You control exactly what goes into your broth.
Budget-friendly – Perfect for using leftover chicken bones or an entire chicken without waste.
Freezer-friendly – Make a big batch and freeze portions for soups, sauces, and weeknight meals.
Versatile – Use it in soups, rice, gravies, casseroles, and countless other recipes.

What is Chicken Broth?

Chicken broth is a savory liquid made by simmering chicken, vegetables, herbs, and water together until flavorful. It’s lighter than chicken stock, usually cooked for a shorter time, and is commonly used as a base for soups, sauces, gravies, and everyday cooking like rice or pasta.

Because it has a mild, well-balanced flavor, chicken broth is incredibly versatile and works in everything from comfort foods to holiday dishes

Ingredients you’ll need

Chicken (whole chicken, carcass, or bones) is the main flavor base of the broth. Bones add richness while meat adds depth and savory flavor.
Onion adds natural sweetness and a classic savory background flavor.
Carrots balance the broth with mild sweetness and help round out the overall taste.
Celery provides an earthy, slightly peppery flavor that gives the broth its traditional base.
Garlic adds warmth and subtle depth without overpowering the broth.
Bay Leaves Enhance flavor with a mild herbal note and add complexity as the broth simmers.
Whole Black Peppercorns Give gentle heat and balanced seasoning without making the broth spicy.
Salt brings all the flavors together. You can use less salt or wait to salt when using the broth.
Water Extracts flavor from the ingredients and transforms everything into a rich, savory broth.

How to make Chicken Broth

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients

Place the chicken (whole chicken, carcass, or bones) in a large stockpot. Roughly chop the onion, carrots, and celery. There’s no need to peel or finely dice—large pieces work best for broth.

Step 2: Add aromatics and water

Add the vegetables, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and salt to the pot. Pour in enough cold water to fully cover everything by about 1–2 inches.

Step 3: Bring to a gentle simmer

Place the pot over medium heat and slowly bring it to a simmer. Avoid boiling, as this can make the broth cloudy and harsh.

Step 4: Skim if needed

As the broth begins to simmer, you may see foam rise to the top. Skim it off with a spoon for a clearer broth.

Step 5: Simmer until flavorful

Reduce heat to low and let the broth gently simmer, uncovered, for 2–4 hours. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor will be.

Step 6: Strain the broth

Remove the pot from heat. Carefully strain the broth through a fine-mesh strainer into another pot or large bowl, discarding solids.

Step 7: Cool and store

Let the broth cool slightly, then transfer it to storage containers. Refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.

How to store Chicken Broth

Allow the chicken broth to cool slightly before storing. For food safety, avoid leaving it at room temperature for more than 1–2 hours.

Refrigerator Storage:

Pour cooled broth into airtight containers or mason jars. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days.

Freezer Storage:

Chicken broth freezes very well. Transfer cooled broth into freezer-safe containers, silicone freezer trays, or freezer bags. Leave some space at the top to allow for expansion. Freeze for up to 6 months.

Portioning Tip:

Freeze broth in 1-cup or 2-cup portions so it’s easy to grab exactly what you need for recipes.

Ways to Use Homemade Chicken Broth

Soups & stews – Use it as the base for chicken noodle soup, vegetable soup, chili, or creamy soups.
Cooking rice or grains – Replace water with chicken broth to add extra flavor to rice, quinoa, or couscous.
Gravies & sauces – Perfect for making homemade gravy, pan sauces, and roux-based sauces.
Mashed potatoes – Swap some of the milk or butter with broth for added savory flavor.
Casseroles – Adds moisture and flavor to baked dishes like stuffing, rice casseroles, and chicken bakes.
Braised meats – Use as a cooking liquid for chicken, pork, or vegetables.

Make-Ahead and Meal Prep Tips

Make a big batch at once – Chicken broth is ideal for batch cooking since it freezes well and works in countless recipes.
Freeze in portions – Store broth in 1-cup or 2-cup portions so you can grab exactly what you need without thawing more than necessary.
Use freezer-safe containers – Silicone trays, freezer bags, or wide-mouth mason jars work great (leave room for expansion).
Label and date – Write the amount and date on containers so you always know what you have on hand.
Prep for holidays – Make broth weeks ahead of time and freeze it for holiday soups, gravies, stuffing, and casseroles.
Cool quickly before storing – For food safety, let broth cool slightly, then transfer to containers and refrigerate or freeze promptly.
Defrost overnight – Thaw frozen broth in the refrigerator overnight or gently reheat on the stovetop as needed.