Homemade Chicken Bone Broth
Homemade chicken bone broth has been a staple in traditional kitchens for generations, and for good reason.
Made from chicken bones, vegetables, herbs, and slow simmering time, bone broth creates a rich, flavorful foundation for soups, stews, rice dishes, and countless other meals. It is also a simple way to extract nutrients and beneficial compounds from ingredients that might otherwise be discarded.
One of the things I love most about homemade bone broth is how nourishing it feels. Rich in minerals, amino acids, collagen-building compounds, and gelatin, bone broth has long been valued for supporting overall wellness, digestion, hydration, and recovery during times of illness or stress.
Whether you’re making soup, cooking rice, sipping a warm mug on a cold day, or simply looking for ways to make the most of the food you already have, homemade bone broth is one of the simplest and most rewarding kitchen staples you can learn to make.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Rich, savory flavorSupports hydration and nourishment
- Provides collagen-building compounds and gelatin
- Contains naturally occurring minerals and amino acids
- Easy to freeze for future meals
- Budget friendly
- Helps reduce food waste
- Creates a versatile foundation for countless recipes
Why Bone Broth Is Considered Nourishing
Collagen & Gelatin
When bones and connective tissues are slowly simmered, they release collagen and gelatin into the broth. These compounds help create the rich texture that homemade broth is known for and are often discussed in relation to supporting skin, joints, and connective tissues.
Amino Acids
Bone broth naturally contains amino acids such as glycine and proline, which play important roles throughout the body and may support overall wellness and recovery.
Minerals
Chicken bones and vegetables contribute minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus, along with other trace minerals that support normal body function.
Hydration
Warm broth provides fluids, electrolytes, and nourishment, making it a comforting choice during cold weather, illness, or times of stress.
Easy to Digest
Because it is warm, mineral-rich, and gentle on the digestive system, many people find bone broth soothing when appetite is low or digestion feels sensitive.
Ingredients
- Bones and carcass from 1 cooked whole chicken
- Reserved cooking liquid from cooking the chicken
- Water as needed to cover
- 1 organic onion, quartered
- 3 carrots, roughly chopped
- 3 celery stalks, roughly chopped
- 1 piece kombu seaweed
- 5 juniper berries
- 5–6 whole black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- Handful of parsley stems
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Why These Ingredients
Chicken Bones & Connective Tissue
Chicken bones, cartilage, skin, and connective tissues contain collagen, gelatin, amino acids, and minerals that are slowly released into the broth during long simmering. These compounds contribute to the rich texture, mouthfeel, and nourishing qualities that make homemade bone broth so valued in traditional cooking.
Onion
Onions contain antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds, including quercetin, along with small amounts of vitamin C and other nutrients. They also contribute natural sweetness and depth of flavor to the broth.
Carrots
Carrots provide beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, as well as antioxidants and fiber. While most of the fiber remains in the vegetables, the carrots help enrich the broth with flavor and nutrients during cooking.
Celery
Celery contributes potassium, antioxidants, and naturally occurring plant compounds while adding savory depth and balance to the broth.
Kombu Seaweed
Kombu is a mineral-rich sea vegetable that provides iodine and trace minerals while naturally enhancing flavor through its umami compounds. A small piece can add remarkable depth to homemade broth.
Juniper Berries
Juniper berries have traditionally been used in cooking for their distinctive flavor and aromatic properties. They add subtle complexity and brightness to the finished broth.
Black Peppercorns
Black pepper contains plant compounds such as piperine and contributes warmth and depth to the broth’s flavor profile.
Bay Leaves
Bay leaves add subtle herbal notes and have long been used in traditional broths, soups, and stocks to create a richer, more balanced flavor.
Parsley Stems
Parsley stems are often overlooked, but they contain many of the same beneficial compounds as the leaves, including vitamin K, antioxidants, and flavorful aromatic oils. They are an excellent way to add nutrition while reducing kitchen waste.
Apple Cider Vinegar
A small amount of apple cider vinegar helps create an acidic cooking environment that may assist in releasing minerals and other compounds from the bones during the long simmering process.
Homemade Chicken Bone Broth
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- After boiling a whole chicken and removing the meat, place the chicken bones and carcass back into the large stockpot with remaining liquid.
- Add water, if needed, to fully cover the bones plus vegetables we will be adding.
- Add the onion, carrots, celery, kombu, juniper berries, peppercorns, bay leaves, parsley stems, and apple cider vinegar.
- Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to low and partially cover the pot, leaving the lid slightly offset to allow some steam to escape.
- Simmer gently for 4–6 hours.
- Remove from heat and allow the broth to cool slightly.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl or stockpot, discarding the solids.
- Allow the broth to cool before transferring to jars or containers.
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 6 months.
Notes
- For the richest flavor, use bones, skin, cartilage, and connective tissue from the chicken.
- The longer simmer time will generally produce a richer broth.
- Fat can be skimmed from the surface after chilling if desired.
- Freeze in portion-sized containers for easy use in soups, stews, and rice dishes.
Ways to Use This Broth
- Homemade soups
- Cooking rice
- StewsSauces
- Sipping warm on cold days
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
- Taco Seasoning Mix
- Nourishing & Anti-Inflammatory Chicken Noodle Soup
A Gentle Reminder About Nourishment
Nourishment does not need to be perfect to be meaningful.
Sometimes nourishment looks like:
- slowing down enough to cook something comforting
- eating warm foods when we are stressed or exhausted
- reconnecting with simple rituals
- feeding ourselves with care
- sharing meals with people we love
Little moments of nourishment matter too.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you.
And if you’re looking for additional grounding wellness support, you can also explore:
- supportive tea blends
- emotional wellness articles
- and other nourishing recipes here on A Full Cup Life
You’re also warmly invited to join the A Full Cup Life community for seasonal inspiration, new recipes, emotional wellness encouragement, and cozy everyday rituals shared throughout the year.
Thank you for being here and sharing a small part of your day with me. I hope this recipe brings a little more warmth, nourishment, and calm into your life.
With Love,
Sharon