Welcome to a delightful culinary experience with Homemade Chicken Stock! This rich and flavorful stock is perfect for a variety of dishes and is a must-have in your kitchen. Whether you’re making soup, risotto, or saucy stir-fries, this stock will enhance the flavors of your meals. It’s also a fantastic way to utilize leftover chicken bones. So, let’s get started!
Homemade Chicken Stock
Prepare to fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma as you simmer your way to a delicious batch of chicken stock. It’s simple and always rewarding. Let’s dive right into what you’ll need.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds chicken bones (from a whole chicken or assorted parts)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 2 carrots, cut into large pieces
- 2 stalks celery, cut into large pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 bay leaf
- 10 sprigs fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- Salt to taste
- Water (enough to cover the bones)
Instructions
- Start by roasting the chicken bones for a deeper flavor. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and place the bones on a baking sheet. Roast for about 30 minutes or until they’re nicely browned.
- While the bones are roasting, prepare the vegetables. Chop the onion, carrots, and celery into large chunks.
- In a large stockpot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the roasted bones and sauté for a few minutes to enhance their flavor.
- Next, add the prepared vegetables, garlic, bay leaf, parsley, peppercorns, and a generous pinch of salt to the pot.
- Cover the bones and vegetables with cold water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for about three to four hours. Skim off any foam that rises to the top as the stock simmers.
- After simmering, remove from heat and let the stock cool slightly. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into another pot or bowl, discarding the solids.
- Let the stock cool completely before transferring it to jars or containers. You can store it in the fridge for a week or in the freezer for several months.
- When ready to use, simply reheat and enjoy the robust flavors in your favorite recipes!
Now that you have your homemade chicken stock ready, you’ll find it adds a lovely depth of flavor to any dish. Enjoy cooking!