Chicken Bone Broth Recipe (Instant Pot or Stovetop)
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Why This Chicken Bone Broth Recipe is a Kitchen Essential
Ever wonder what makes soup feel like a warm hug? For me, it’s all about the broth. This rich and deeply nourishing chicken bone broth recipe has the magic to turn humble ingredients into something soul-satisfying every single time.
I sometimes say easy, and my friends roll their eyes because I once cooked something fancy for fun. But hear me out. Extra work is not how I cook every day. This broth is easy in an everyday way, and it’s one prep I could do in my sleep. You can, too!
Let me show you how to make it fit your week, why it’s worth the tiny effort, and the tools that make it foolproof—once you try it, you might find yourself in a bone broth cycle you never want to stop.
Why Homemade Chicken Bone Broth is Worth Making
One of the first chicken noodle soups I ever made came from a recipe I had pieced together after spending hours reading at Barnes & Noble. (Where you’d find recipe hunters before Pinterest!)
I found a recipe that told me to boil an entire chicken for hours, then discard it before adding fresh chicken to the broth. I remember staring at the page—wait, throw it away? It felt so wrong.
But curiosity won. I followed the instructions, boiled a chicken for what felt like an eternity, and then tasted the pale, flavorless meat before tossing it. And I finally got it—every ounce of flavor and nutrients had seeped into the broth, turning plain water into something rich and deeply nourishing—the way only the best food can.
Tools you’ll need for making your bone broth:
These links are affiliate links for the equipment I love and use every week!
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How the Instant Pot Changed My Bone Broth Game
I can’t say I need a bigger kitchen. Nope. But every time I make multiple batches of chicken bone broth, it feels like I’m doing hot yoga in a steam room or getting an impromptu facial—whether I asked for it or not.
My tiny kitchen has seen it all—cooking for 50, catering gigs, meal prep marathons, and even a wedding cake or two. It’s tight quarters, but with the right equipment, I can make this golden, rich broth in under an hour, and it will taste like I’ve been steaming my windows with an all-day simmer.
💡 This is why my Instant Pot has earned its kitchen real estate.
That said, after 20+ years in this space, I occasionally dream of one upgrade—a magical storage solution. And honestly? I blame the Instant Pot. It refuses to be sidelined! Whenever I convince someone to take it to the basement, it reappears on the counter within 24 hours. I swear.
Making Bone Broth Easy and Repeatable
Bone broth isn’t just something you make—it starts a chain reaction in your kitchen. If you roast chicken on Monday, you’re already halfway there. Those bones? They’re practically begging to be turned into broth.
Steps
- Toss bones into your Instant Pot (or a stockpot on the stove).
- Cover with water and let the magic happen.
- Cook according to the directions below (Instant Pot or Stovetop).
- Cool for at least an hour.
- Strain liquids from solids.
- Divide into storage jars.
- Refrigerate for at least a day before freezing.
- Drink or make it into soup!
- Repeat!
Want to make meal prep easier and stress-free? My Make It Easy course helps you build simple habits—like making homemade Chicken Bone Broth—that transform your kitchen routine and meal making. Get all the recipes and strategies to make meal planning effortless!”
Chicken Bone Broth Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 – 2 ½ lb bone-in skin-on chicken pieces: thighs, carcasses, feet, wings, or drumsticks
- 1 fresh handful of herbs: parsley, thyme, and dill
- 1 large yellow onion, peeled and cut in half.
- 2 medium unpeeled carrots
- 1 medium to large unpeeled parsnip
- 1 large celery stalk
- 4 unpeeled garlic cloves
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 quarts water
- ½ lemon squeezed into the pot. No need to strain.
Instructions
Instant Pot Bone Broth Instructions
- Put all ingredients in the Instant Pot and cover with the 2 quarts of water and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
- Set the timer on the manual setting for 40 minutes. Allow for a 20-minute natural release.
- Remove the insert of the Instant Pot and let it cool on a trivet until the pot has cooled down enough to handle well.
Stovetop Bone Broth Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large stockpot, cover with 2 quarts of water, and add lemon juice. Stir to combine.
- Bring your broth to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and simmer, where you see the water moving but not bubbling.
- Fill your liquid measuring cup with water and set it next to the stovetop. If the water cooks down and the ingredients rise above it, add a 1/2-1 cup of water and bring the mixture back to a simmer to keep it cooking and reducing.
Finishing Instructions
- Remove as many of the solids as possible using a large slotted spoon.
- Using a large colander over a large bowl, pour the broth through a strainer into an extra bowl. Repeat back and forth as necessary to make sure it's strained well. Allow the strained broth to cool until warm to cool to the touch. Divide into jars using a funnel and a mini strainer. Set jars with cracked lids on the countertop uncovered until completely cool to the touch.
- Once cooled, tighten lids and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- To freeze, leave at least one solid inch of room from the top of a wide-mouth jar. Refrigerate for at least a day before putting it into the freezer. Freeze for up to a year in a deep freeze. I do 6 months in my refrigerator freezer compartment.
- If you prefer broth with less fat, remove the top layer of fat from the cooled broth before re-warming or using it.
Equipment
This post contains affiliate links to products I know and love. I recommend any of them for this recipe!
Nutrition
Best Ways to Use Chicken Bone Broth
Here are my go-to soups and dishes that quickly turn this rich broth into something extraordinary.
FAQs Chicken Bone Broth
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Last Updated on March 10, 2025 by Heather Bursch
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