Chicken bone broth or chicken bones recipes are nutrient-dense and are widely considered a superfood. There are various ways to make it, but all of them offer the same benefits. Packed with various minerals and amino acids, the chicken bones recipe is perfect for consumption when feeling sick. They also help improve gut health. Chicken bones are essentially nothing but bones and water. They are dressed up with vegetables and herbs, increasing the depth of the bone’s flavor. The recipe requires some time, but the result is truly worth it. If you’re feeling under the weather or savoring something hot and healthy on a cold night, use the recipe described in this post to get yourself a bowl of nutrient-rich golden elixir! Don’t forget, you can also consume it cold if that’s what you desire.
Read Also: Gluten-Free Pasta Recipe
Ingredients Needed for Chicken Bones
Here’s a list of all the ingredients you need to prepare chicken bones.
- 2 and a half lbs of chicken bones.
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- 2 celery sticks
- 1 onion
- 2 carrots
- Filtered water
Chicken Bones Recipe: Stovetop Method
The stovetop method is commonly used to make chicken bones recipes. Here are the steps involved in this process.
- Create a rack in your oven’s middle. Now, heat it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Rinse the bones in cool water and dry them.
- Place the bones on the baking sheet and roast them until golden brown, approximately 30 minutes.
- Once the bones turn the desired color, put them into a large stock and mix them with vinegar and water. Again, allow them to sit like this for 30 minutes.
- After this period, bring the water to simmer over high heat.
- Turn the heat to the lowest setting and check the pot frequently to skim the foam on the surface.
- Keep adding water to ingredients are fully covered.
- The broth should be kept at a low simmer for about a day or 24 hours.
- Add onion and carrots and simmer the broth for 12 to 24 hours. Keep adding water as needed.
- Look for a golden-brown color on the broth. This indicates that the broth is fully cooked.
- Now, strain the chicken bones and cool them immediately.
- Store the broth in an airtight container.
Chicken Bones Recipe: Slow Cooker Method
Another method to prepare chicken bones is the slow cooker method. Follow these recipe instructions.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Rinse the bones and pat them dry.
- Roast the bones on a baking sheet for 30 minutes until golden brown.
- Now, put these bones in a slow cooker. Add vinegar and water, stir, and let them sit for about 30 minutes.
- Change the slow cooker settings to high. Let the broth mixture simmer.
- As in the previous method, keep checking the slow cooker occasionally. Skim off the foam collecting on the surface and add water as needed.
- You must keep the broth at a low simmer on the high setting for 24 hours.
- After this period, add onions and carrots and simmer on the high setting for another 24 hours. Keep adding more water as needed.
- Your broth is perfectly cooked when it turns golden brown.
- Strain and cool the broth once it is done.
- Transfer the liquid to an airtight container.
Also Read: Crab Brulee Recipe
How to Make Chicken Bones More Flavorful?
Do you want to increase the flavor of chicken bones? Try out any of these tips to enjoy a more delicious broth.
1. Add Spices and Herbs
Spices and herbs increase both the flavor and aroma of the broth. Add dried herbs and spices like basil and turmeric at the beginning of the cooking process. Add fresh ones like parsley and powdered ones like ground ginger at the end of the cooking.
2. Don’t Forget to Roast the Bones Properly
In both the recipes shared above, we have given instructions about roasting the bones until they turn golden brown. This is because roasting increases the flavor and depth of your broth. It is easy to roast earlier in the cooking process. At the end, use the brown bits before cooking the broth.
3. Add Acidic Foods
If you are bored of the broth’s simple flavor, add acidic ingredients like white wine, lemon juice, and tomato puree. Their acidity enhances the broth’s flavor. You only need the tiniest amount of these ingredients, as adding more will make your broth unusually acidic.
4. Give Your Broth an Italian Twist
Italian chicken bones are known for their intense flavor. You can make the same broth at home by adding different combinations of specific herbs. Use any of the following combinations.
- Parsley and oregano
- Thyme and basil
- Marjoram and rosemary
- Tomato paste
- Italian seasoning
5. Add More Protein
Another way to enhance the flavor of chicken bones is to increase the amount of protein in them. So, simmer your broth with more chicken pieces. The best parts to use are the skin, feet, and bones.
6. Add Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan cheese never disappoints when it comes to adding flavor to a dish. The same is true with chicken bones. Just toss a cheese rind into the pot where your broth is cooking. Alternatively, you can cook it with other vegetable ingredients.
7. Plop Some Boullion Cubes
A boullion cube makes chicken bones saltier and more flavorful. You can use it while cooking your own broth at home or add it to a store-bought broth. Boullion is nothing but concentrated stock in cube form. Adding it to your broth will increase its intensity without changing the flavor.
Summing Up
Chicken bones recipe form the foundation of numerous dishes. However, they are also very healthy food to have on their own. Brimming with nutrients, they are the perfect item for both the sick and the healthy. You can make them through any of the methods described here and consume them as they are or create another soup or meal.
