Homemade Chicken Broth (Rich, Flavorful & Easy from Scratch)
This homemade chicken broth is rich, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make with simple ingredients. Simmered low and slow, it’s perfect for soups, sauces, rice, and meal prep—and freezes beautifully for later use.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: about 12 cups 1x
Ingredients
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1 whole chicken, chicken carcass, or leftover bones
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1 large onion, roughly chopped
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2 carrots, roughly chopped
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2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
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3–4 cloves garlic
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2 bay leaves
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1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
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1–2 teaspoons salt (optional, or to taste)
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Water, enough to cover ingredients (about 12 cups)
Instructions
1. Place the chicken, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and salt in a large stockpot.
2. Pour in enough cold water to cover everything by about 1–2 inches.
3. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Do not boil.
4. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 2–4 hours, skimming foam if needed.
5. Remove from heat and strain the broth through a fine-mesh strainer. Disca
Notes
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For clearer broth, always simmer gently and avoid boiling.
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Salt lightly if you plan to reduce or season the broth later when cooking.
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Broth can be refrigerated for 4–5 days or frozen for up to 6 months.