Homemade chicken stock is a kitchen staple that elevates everyday meals with its rich, full-bodied flavor. By simmering leftover bones and vegetables, you can create a versatile base that deepens the taste of soups, stews, and sauces.

A glass jar filled with a light yellow broth is placed on a cloth with a lemon, green peppers, and various vegetables. In the background, a large glass jar of the same broth is visible. The setting is a wooden table. — Instant Pot Chicken Stock. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

This simple practice transforms your home cooking, giving even the simplest meals a comforting, homemade touch.

Benefits of Homemade Chicken Stock

Opting for homemade chicken stock over store-bought versions gives you complete control over the ingredients, ensuring your dishes are free from unnecessary additives and excessive sodium. This not only makes your meals healthier but also allows you to customize flavors according to your preferences.

Using Chicken Stock in Recipes

Homemade chicken stock is versatile and can be used in lots of recipes and meals, enhancing both the flavor and nutritional content of your dishes:

Soups and Stews: Provides a rich, flavorful base that intensifies the taste of your ingredients. This celery soup is a perfect example of how to use it in a soup.
Main Meals: Contributes a delicious base to meals such as this chicken paprika.
Sauces and Gravies: Acts as a foundational element to build complex flavors in your sauces.

A bowl of light brown broth on a checkered cloth, garnished with a sprig of parsley and a piece of turmeric root nearby. The broth has a warm, inviting color and appears smooth. — Instant Pot Chicken Stock. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

Substitution Options for Chicken Stock

When making chicken stock, you might not always have all the traditional ingredients on hand, or you may want to tailor the recipe to meet dietary needs. Here are some easy substitutions to consider:

Vegetables: If you’re out of standard veggies like carrots or celery, consider substituting with parsnips, leeks, or turnips for a different flavor profile.
Herbs and Spices: No fresh herbs? Dried herbs can work in a pinch. Use dried thyme or rosemary instead of fresh, keeping in mind that dried herbs are more potent.
Salt: If you’re watching your sodium intake, reduce the salt or use a salt substitute. Seasonings like a splash of gluten-free soy sauce or Worcestershire can also add depth without as much sodium.

An arrangement of fresh vegetables, chicken stock in jars, and seasoning ingredients like lemons and garlic on a wooden table. The text "Instant Pot Chicken Stock" is overlayed in bold letters. — Instant Pot Chicken Stock. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

Storage Tips for Chicken Stock

Proper storage of chicken stock is key to maintaining its flavor and nutritional value. It can be refrigerated for up to 5 days if kept in airtight containers to prevent spoilage and absorption of other flavors from the fridge.

For longer storage, freezing is recommended. Chicken stock can be frozen for up to 3 months and remains easy to use by thawing in the refrigerator or microwave when needed. For convenience, consider portioning the stock into ice cube trays before freezing, allowing you to thaw exactly the amount you need for future recipes.

A top-down view of a kitchen scene with a jar and bowl of broth, a wooden spoon, celery stalks, a carrot, a green pepper, a lemon, garlic cloves, an onion, ginger slices, sea salt, and a small bowl of spices on a brown cloth.

Instant Pot Chicken Stock

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Servings

Ingredients

1 chicken carcass and trimmings 1-2 lbs of bones
1 Anaheim pepper or substitute with bell pepper, poblano, or jalapeño
2 carrots
4 celery stalks
1 thumb-sized piece of ginger
1 teaspoon peppercorns
2 tablespoons Celtic salt
1 lemon
8 garlic cloves
1 medium onion
3 or more quarts of water

Instructions

Add the chicken bones, Anaheim pepper, carrots, celery, ginger, peppercorns, Celtic salt, lemon (halved), garlic cloves, and onion (quartered) to a 6qt or 8qt Instant Pot. Fill with enough water to cover the ingredients but do not exceed the maximum fill line.
Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring the sealing valve is closed. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting and adjust the time to cook on high pressure for 100 minutes.
Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to release steam naturally. This step is crucial for safety and ensures that the flavors continue to develop as the pressure decreases.
After the pressure has fully released and the valve has dropped, carefully open the lid. Use a stainless steel funnel lined with a mesh strainer to pour the stock into mason jars. Make sure to strain out all solid ingredients.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cup

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Trina Krug, MS, CDSP

Trina Krug is a Holistic Nutritionist, Integrative Health Coach and host of the Carbless Conversations Podcast. With a Master’s Degree in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, her single mission in life is to facilitate self-healing in herself and those around her through awareness, lifestyle shifts and low-carb eating. As a current Doctor of Science student, she continues her studies in functional nutrition.