An easy, step-by-step tutorial for how to make Chicken Stock on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot. Making homemade Chicken Stock is the gateway to taking any broth-based recipe to the next level; the flavor is incomparable and you will never buy store-bought again!.
Chicken stock is a versatile ingredient that can transform dishes by adding depth of flavor. Many recipes call for chicken broth or stock, but what do you do when you have leftover chicken stock after making a recipe? With a little creativity, there are endless possibilities for using up extra homemade or store-bought chicken stock.
Soups, Stews and Chilis
Chicken stock is a natural base for soups, chilis and stews Using stock instead of water adds a savory flavor that makes these dishes more satisfying Some classic examples include chicken noodle soup, chicken tortilla soup, beef stew, chili con carne, and vegetable beef soup. Simply replace all or part of the water in your favorite recipe with chicken stock for a flavor boost.
Risottos
Risotto is a creamy Italian rice dish that is made by gradually adding hot stock to arborio rice as it cooks, absorbing the liquid and developing its signature creaminess. Chicken stock adds a richness that takes risotto to the next level. Try making risotto with mushrooms, asparagus, shrimp, or butternut squash using chicken stock for outstanding flavor.
Braising and Poaching
You can braise meat or poach delicate proteins like chicken breasts or fish fillets in chicken stock. The stock gives the foods flavor and keeps them moist. Place chicken legs or pork shoulder in stock and braise them. You can also poach salmon or halibut fillets in stock that has garlic, parsley, and lemon added to it.
Cooking Grains and Beans
Using chicken stock instead of water to cook grains like rice, quinoa barley or oats adds a savory depth to these staple side dishes. The same goes for cooking beans and lentils from scratch—the stock boosts flavor while the beans cook.
Gravies and Sauces
One of the easiest ways to transform pan drippings, reductions or roux into rich, luxurious gravies and sauces is to add chicken stock. Deglaze a pan used to roast meat or poultry with a bit of stock. Whisk stock into a flour-butter roux to create a velvety sauce. Thin out a heavy cream sauce with a splash of stock.
Casseroles and Savory Pies
Savoury pies and casseroles, like chicken pot pie, need a sauce or gravy to add moisture and hold the filling ingredients together. It’s best to use chicken stock to make the base for these hearty baked dishes.
Glazing and Braising Vegetables
When you cook vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, or kale slowly in chicken stock, the stock adds flavor to the vegetables and makes them soft. Cut back on the stock to make a glaze for roasting vegetables as well.
Dressings, Dips and Spreads
Adding a bit of chicken stock to creamy dressings, dips and spreads imparts a hit of savoriness. Stir a couple tablespoons of stock into ranch dressing, spinach artichoke dip, hummus or chicken salad to ratchet up the flavor.
Pasta Sauces
Stock is a great way to make pasta sauces more flavorful and moist without adding a lot of fat. To make tomato sauce, Alfredo sauce, or pesto taste better, add chicken stock and stir it in. Stock can be used to thin out sauces made with heavy cream or cheese without watering them down.
Cooking Beans, Grains and Vegetables
Swap out plain water for chicken stock when cooking beans, grains or vegetables like rice, quinoa, oats, lentils, barley or farro. The stock adds a savory depth to these staple ingredients while cooking them.
Slow Cooker Dishes
The slow cooker is the perfect way to transform chicken stock into concentrated, intensely flavored sauces and gravies. Braise chicken thighs in stock or use it as the base of stews, chilis and curries made in the crockpot.
Slaws and Potato Salads
Stir a bit of chicken stock into the dressing for slaws, potato salads and pasta salads. The stock adds a subtle savoriness that enhances the other ingredients.
Open-Faced Sandwiches
Drizzle leftover turkey, roast beef or other sliced meats with warm chicken gravy made with stock for open-faced sandwiches. The gravy adds moisture and ties the sandwich together.
Baked Goods
Add a couple tablespoons of chicken stock to bread or muffin batter in place of some of the water or milk. Or brush chicken stock on dinner rolls before baking for a sheen and extra flavor. Stock can also replace some of the liquid in quick breads like banana bread or zucchini bread.
With these ideas, you can transform leftover chicken stock into all kinds of easy, delicious dishes. Keep a stash of stock in the freezer so you always have some on hand. Homemade stock is ideal, but store-bought works well too. Chicken stock is a versatile pantry staple that adds flavor and moisture to recipes.
Why I make my own stock:
- Making stock from bones is healthy and tastes great. The flavor is deeper than chicken broth or store-bought stock, and it takes any recipe to the next level. I also love knowing and controlling what’s in my stock.
- Easy: I buy a rotisserie chicken from Costco for $5 and feel good knowing I can use the meat in a lot of different recipes. I also don’t throw away the carcass; instead, I use it to make healthy, tasty broth at home!
Difference Between Chicken Broth and Chicken Stock:
The biggest difference between the two is chicken broth is made from simmering the meat and vegetables, and chicken stock is made from simmering the bones, which removes extra flavor and collagen from the bones (which is why stock has a jello-like texture when its refrigerated).
You can use stock and broth interchangeably in most recipes, but chicken stock has richer depth of flavor and is highly preferred for recipes where its the “star”, like in chicken noodle soup. In my opinion, its hugely worth it to make chicken stock from scratch!.
The Ultimate Guide To Making Amazing Chicken Stock
FAQ
How long does it take to make chicken stock?
Just cook on low heat 8 – 12 hours (or high heat 4 – 5 hours). You can also make it in the Instant Pot, set to 45 minutes (let pressure come down naturally for 10 minutes). Don’t forget to try my recipe for homemade roast chicken and chicken gravy! Then use the bones that are left to make this delicious homemade stock.
How do you make chicken stock?
Chicken stock, the most coveted among the three, is made by simmering a chicken carcass – meaning that chicken bones were involved in the process. STOCK: Stock is produced by simmering vegetables, aromatics (like herbs), bones and sometimes meat scraps.
What is the difference between chicken stock, broth, and bouillon?
BROTH: Chicken broth is sold in all stores, it is usually salty so the low-sodium option is a smart option to purchase. It’s basically stock with salt added. You can use it like homemade stock, but it doesn’t taste as good and doesn’t have as many layers. BOUILLON: Bouillon is dehydrated stock that is formed into either cubes or granules.
What is the difference between chicken stock and chicken broth?
Technically, no. There are differences between chicken broth and chicken stock in terms of what they are made of, how thick they are, and what they are used for. Chicken stock is typically quite thick and gelatinous and is made with animal bones (like chicken, beef, even fish) and left unseasoned (that means no salt).
How can I use my chicken stock?
11 Easy Recipes With Chicken Stock01 of 11. Oven-Braised Rosemary Chicken Legs. 02 of 11. Garlic Roasted Chicken With White Wine Sauce. 03 of 11. Perfectly Poached Chicken Breasts. 04 of 11. Hainanese Chicken Rice. 05 of 11. Shrimp Risotto. 06 of 11. Braised Baby Bok Choy. 07 of 11. Glazed Carrots. 08 of 11. Eggplant Ratatouille.
What is chicken stock good for?
Chicken stock is a flavorful liquid base used in many dishes to add depth and richness. It’s made by simmering chicken bones and aromatics, extracting nutrients and flavor.
When should you use chicken stock?
It’s an excellent all-rounder that’s nice and clear, with the ideal balance of flavour, nutrients and richness. Use it for everything from clear soups to rich stews, gravies and creamy sauces. I like making chicken stock because it’s easy compared to beef stock, and improves just about everything – the main goal here!.
How to consume chicken stock?
Soups and Stews : Use chicken broth as a base for soups and stews. Cooking Grains : Substitute chicken broth for water when cooking grains such as rice, quinoa, or couscous. Sauces and Gravies : Use chicken broth to create sauces or gravies. Braised DishesRisottoFlavoring VegetablesFreezing for Future UseDrinking.