If you've ever sipped on a warm bowl of chicken broth, you know it's like a hug in a cup. Whether you're a kitchen whiz or just starting out, there's a broth recipe for you. From the classic homemade kind to a speedy pressure cooker version, each one brings something special to the table. Curious about how to amp up the flavor or make it healthier? Let's explore the top five chicken broth recipes that'll have you slurping happily!
Classic Homemade Chicken Broth
Classic homemade chicken broth is a comforting staple that can improve a variety of dishes or stand alone as a warm, nourishing soup. With just a few simple ingredients and some time, you can create a rich, flavorful broth that serves as the perfect base for soups, stews, or sauces.
This recipe is a great way to utilize leftover chicken bones or a whole chicken, allowing you to extract maximum flavor and nutrition.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken or 2-3 pounds of chicken bones
- 2 medium onions, quartered
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1-2 bay leaves
- 10-12 whole peppercorns
- Fresh herbs (such as thyme, parsley, or dill)
- Salt, to taste
- 12 cups of cold water
Cooking Instructions:
In a large stockpot, combine the chicken or chicken bones with the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and fresh herbs.
Pour in the cold water, ensuring that the ingredients are fully submerged. Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 4-6 hours.
Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during the cooking process. After simmering, remove the chicken or bones and strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the vegetables and spices.
Season the broth with salt to taste.
Extra Tips:
For an even richer flavor, you can roast the chicken bones or vegetables in the oven before adding them to the pot. This caramelization process adds depth to the broth.
If you prefer a clearer broth, be sure to strain it multiple times through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Additionally, you can store the broth in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it in portions for future use.
Adding a splash of vinegar during cooking can help extract more nutrients from the bones, making your broth even healthier!
Quick Pressure Cooker Chicken Broth

Making chicken broth in a pressure cooker is one of the quickest and most efficient ways to extract rich flavors and nutrients from the chicken and vegetables. With this method, you can have a delicious homemade broth ready in a fraction of the time it would normally take, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a comforting base for soups and stews.
Just gather your ingredients, set up your pressure cooker, and let the magic happen!
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (3-4 pounds), cut into pieces
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 onion, quartered
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- Fresh herbs (such as thyme and parsley)
- 10 cups water
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
Place the chicken pieces in the pressure cooker and add the chopped carrots, celery, onion, garlic, peppercorns, bay leaves, and fresh herbs.
Pour in the water, ensuring everything is submerged. Lock the lid in place and set the pressure cooker to high pressure for 30 minutes.
Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 15 minutes, then perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
Carefully remove the chicken and vegetables, straining the broth through a fine mesh sieve into a large bowl or pot.
Season the broth with salt to taste, and it's ready to use or store.
Extra Tips:
To improve the flavor of your broth, consider roasting the chicken pieces and vegetables in the oven for 20-30 minutes before adding them to the pressure cooker.
This will give the broth a deeper, richer taste. Additionally, you can save and freeze any leftover broth in ice cube trays for easy portioning in future recipes.
If you prefer a clearer broth, allow it to cool and skim off any fat that rises to the surface before storing.
Herb-Infused Chicken Broth
Herb-infused chicken broth is a delightful way to boost the flavor of your dishes or enjoy a warm, soothing cup of broth on its own. This recipe combines the rich taste of chicken with a medley of fresh herbs, creating a fragrant and nutrient-dense broth that can be used in soups, sauces, or enjoyed as a nourishing drink.
The infusion of herbs not only improves the taste but also adds health benefits, making this broth a perfect addition to any meal prep.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds)
- 10 cups of water
- 1 onion, quartered
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 bunch fresh parsley
- 1 bunch fresh thyme
- 1 bunch fresh dill
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
In a large stockpot, place the whole chicken and cover it with water. Add the quartered onion, chopped carrots, chopped celery, smashed garlic, bay leaf, and black peppercorns.
Bring the pot to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. After about an hour, add the fresh parsley, thyme, and dill to the pot.
Continue to simmer for an additional 1-2 hours, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface. Once the broth is richly flavored and the chicken is fully cooked, remove the chicken and strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve to remove the solids.
Extra Tips:
For an even more flavorful broth, consider roasting the chicken and vegetables in the oven for 30 minutes before adding them to the pot. This will deepen the flavors and add a bit of richness.
Additionally, feel free to experiment with different herbs based on your personal preferences; rosemary, sage, or basil can all provide unique flavors.
If you want to store the broth, let it cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. It can be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for several months, making it a convenient staple in your kitchen.
Asian-Style Chicken Broth

Asian-Style Chicken Broth is a fragrant and hearty dish that brings warmth and comfort to any meal. This broth is infused with aromatic spices and fresh ingredients typical of Asian cuisine, making it not only delicious but also nourishing. Perfect for sipping on its own or using as a base for soups and stews, this broth is versatile and easy to prepare.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds), cut into pieces
- 8 cups water
- 1 onion, quartered
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 piece of ginger (about 2 inches), sliced
- 2-3 green onions, chopped
- 2-3 star anise
- 1-2 whole cloves
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Salt to taste
- Optional: mushrooms, bok choy, or other vegetables for added flavor
To prepare the Asian-Style Chicken Broth, start by placing the chicken pieces into a large pot and cover them with 8 cups of water. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, green onions, star anise, cloves, soy sauce, and salt.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface during cooking to guarantee a clear broth.
Once done, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the solids, and discard them. You can enjoy the broth immediately or let it cool and store it in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.
When making Asian-Style Chicken Broth, feel free to customize the ingredients to suit your taste. Adding vegetables like mushrooms or bok choy can improve the flavor and nutrition of the broth.
If you prefer a richer taste, consider roasting the chicken pieces and vegetables beforehand. Additionally, you can adjust the seasoning by adding more soy sauce, or even a splash of sesame oil, to lift the umami profile.
Always taste the broth before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed.
Roasted Chicken Bone Broth
Roasted chicken bone broth is a hearty, nutrient-rich base that enhances soups, stews, and sauces while providing a cozy, comforting flavor. This recipe takes advantage of the rich flavors from roasted chicken bones, improving the broth with aromatic vegetables and herbs. Ideal for using leftover bones from a roasted chicken, this broth is simple to prepare and can be simmered for hours to extract maximum flavor and nourishment.
Ingredients:
- 2-3 pounds roasted chicken bones (from a whole chicken or leftovers)
- 2 medium onions, quartered (skin on)
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4-5 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2-3 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- Fresh herbs (such as thyme, parsley, or rosemary)
- 12 cups water (or enough to cover the bones)
- Salt to taste
To prepare the roasted chicken bone broth, start by placing the roasted chicken bones in a large stockpot. Add the quartered onions, chopped carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and fresh herbs.
Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients by about an inch, then bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for at least 6-8 hours (or up to 24 hours for a richer broth).
Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during the first hour of cooking. Once done, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into another pot or large bowl, discarding the solids. Season the broth with salt to taste.
When making roasted chicken bone broth, consider roasting the bones further in the oven for an hour at 400°F before adding them to the pot for an even deeper flavor. You can also customize the broth by adding other vegetables like leeks or mushrooms, or incorporating different herbs according to your preference.
For easy storage, let the broth cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers or freezer bags. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for several months, making it a convenient ingredient to have on hand whenever you need a flavor boost for your dishes.