Homemade Chicken Bone Broth Recipe (Easy, Nourishing & Budget-Friendly)
Homemade Bone Broth: One Simple Kitchen Habit That Nourishes My Family
If you've been around here for very long, you've probably noticed that I love simple habits that make a big difference.
Homemade bone broth is one of those habits.
It isn't fancy, and it certainly isn't new. In fact, it's something our grandparents and great-grandparents did because they knew how to use what they had. Instead of throwing away leftover bones after a meal, they turned them into something nourishing for the next one.
That's exactly what I do today.
After we roast a chicken or enjoy a meal with bone-in chicken, I save the leftover bones in a freezer bag. Once I have enough, they go into a large pot with vegetables, herbs, apple cider vinegar, and water. Then I simply let time do the work.
One of the principles I learned during my nutritional therapy training was to use as much of the animal as possible. Sometimes you'll hear this called "nose-to-tail eating." At its heart, it's simply about reducing waste and making the most of the nourishing foods we bring into our homes.
I love that this practice is both practical and economical.
A pot of homemade broth becomes the foundation for so many meals throughout the week. I use it to make soups and stews, cook rice or quinoa, add extra flavor to sauces, or simply warm up a mug to sip on a chilly afternoon.
For me, this isn't about perfection.
It's about choosing one simple habit that helps me nourish my body and my family without making life more complicated.
If you've never made homemade bone broth before, don't let it intimidate you. It's one of the easiest recipes you'll ever make. Most of the work is simply waiting while it simmers.
Homemade Chicken Bone Broth
Ingredients
Bones from 1–2 roasted chickens (about 3–4 pounds of bones)
2 carrots, roughly chopped
2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
1 onion, quartered (peel on is fine)
4–6 garlic cloves, smashed
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon whole peppercorns
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar ( I promise you won’t taste it)
Fresh parsley or thyme (optional)
Water to cover the bones (about 12–16 cups)
Instructions
Place the chicken bones, vegetables, herbs, peppercorns, and apple cider vinegar into a large stockpot or slow cooker.
Pour in enough water to completely cover the bones.
Let everything sit for about 20–30 minutes before heating. The vinegar helps draw minerals from the bones.
Bring the pot to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce to a low simmer.
Simmer for 12–24 hours, adding additional water if needed to keep the bones covered.
Strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer.
Allow it to cool before storing in the refrigerator or freezer.
Storage
Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Freeze in jars (leaving room for expansion) or freezer-safe containers for up to 6 months.
My Favorite Ways to Use Homemade Bone Broth
Sip it warm from a mug.
Use it as the base for soups and stews.
Cook rice or quinoa in it instead of water.
Add it to sauces and gravies.
Freeze small portions so they're always ready when you need them.
A Simple Tip
Don't throw away the bones after dinner.
Place them in a freezer-safe bag and keep adding to it until you have enough for a batch of broth. It's an easy way to stretch your grocery budget, reduce food waste, and always have a nourishing staple ready in your kitchen.
If you have leftover veggie scraps save them too and toss them into the pot with the bones and of course more fresh vegetables and herbs(if you want to, of course)
Simple nourishment doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it starts with something as ordinary as the leftovers from last night's dinner.
I'd love to know—have you ever made homemade bone broth? If so, tell me your favorite way to use it in the comments!
