Simmering Comfort: Hearty Homemade Chicken Broth

Hearty homemade chicken broth: the easiest, most cost-effective way to bring nourishing benefits into your kitchen. Packed with vitamins, collagen, and rich flavor, this humble staple is a hearty, affordable way to boost your health and elevate your meals.

This delicious old-fashioned recipe comes from my family’s recipe book that beholds tried and true recipes from three generations of family cooks. Learn more about me here.

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Is Homemade Chicken Broth Worth It?

You might be wondering, ‘Isn’t store-bought broth good enough?’ And yes, it works in a pinch! But many store-bought options are loaded with sodium, which can make it tricky to control the salt content in your recipes.

While store-bought options are convenient, making your own not only saves money and is better for your health. It’s as easy as grabbing any sad-looking vegetables you may have from the fridge and the bones from a roasted chicken. Toss them into a slow cooker or a pot to simmer, and you have the perfect base for broth.

Homemade chicken broth has been used for centuries as a remedy for seasonal illness due to its anti-inflammatory properties. There is nothing more satisfying than a steaming bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup with a sore throat or congested nose, combined with the aroma of chicken broth simmering on the stove.

It’s also incredibly easy to make and store your hearty homemade chicken broth.

How to Store Homemade Chicken Broth

Refrigerated:

Allow broth to cool to room temperature. Then, transfer to glass container or glass jars.

I recommend to keep the broth in the refrigerator for only 3-5 days.

Frozen (recommended):

Allow broth to cool to room temperature. Transfer to freezer-friendly container. I use 1-cup freezer cubes . They are great for portioning broth one cup at a time.

Chicken broth usually lasts about 2-3 months in the freezer.

How to Make Hearty Homemade Chicken Broth

There are two tried and true methods for making chicken broth at home – stovetop or slow-cooker.

Let’s begin!

1. Combine all ingredients in a slow-cooker or a large soup pot.
2. Fill with water until everything is covered.
3. Cook on low for 10-16 hours if using a slow-cooker or 3-4 hours on the stove, simmering.
4. No babysitting required! It’s that easy.
5. When finished cooking, remove the large pieces of chicken bones.
6. Use a fine mesh strainer to slowly pour the broth into a bowl. Be careful, slow and steady.

It’s truly that easy.

Let me know your favorite meal that uses chicken broth!