Best Homemade Chicken Stock Recipe

Introduction

Chicken stock is a versatile and flavorful base for many dishes, from soups and stews to risottos and sauces. Making your own homemade chicken stock is not only easy but also much more delicious than store-bought versions. In this article, we will share the best homemade chicken stock recipe that you can easily make at home.

Ingredients

To make the best homemade chicken stock, you will need the following ingredients:
— 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
— 2 onions, quartered
— 3 carrots, chopped
— 3 stalks of celery, chopped
— 1 head of garlic, halved
— 1 bunch of fresh parsley
— 2 bay leaves
— 10 whole black peppercorns
— Salt, to taste
— Water

Instructions

1. In a large stockpot, combine the chicken pieces, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, parsley, bay leaves, peppercorns, and salt.
2. Fill the pot with enough water to cover all the ingredients.
3. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let the stock simmer for at least 4 hours, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface.
4. After the stock has simmered for several hours, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean container.
5. Let the stock cool to room temperature, then refrigerate it overnight.
6. The next day, skim off any fat that has solidified on the surface of the stock.
7. Your homemade chicken stock is now ready to use in your favorite recipes!

Tips

— You can freeze homemade chicken stock in ice cube trays for easy portioning.
— For a richer stock, roast the chicken pieces and vegetables in the oven before adding them to the pot.
— Feel free to customize the stock with additional herbs and spices, such as thyme, rosemary, or peppercorns.
— Homemade chicken stock will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.