Best Real Chicken Stock Recipes

BEST-EVER CHICKEN STOCK RECIPE

Steps:

• Place a 6- to 8-quart pot with a tight-fitting lid on the stovetop. I use a 6-quart pot for a 4- or 5-pound chicken.
• Remove the paper pouch that contains the organs if it's still in the chicken. Use in another recipe or discard.
• Add all ingredients to the pot. Clean the veggies but it's ok to leave the skin on the onion and carrots. Cover with filtered cold water to about an inch below the top.
• Put a tight-fitting lid on the pot.
• Set it on the stove and bring it to a boil. This takes about 10-20 minutes.
• Immediately reduce to a simmer. Simmer for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours. The longer the simmer, the better the flavor.
• If you use a whole chicken, remove the meat from the chicken after 2 hours to prevent overcooking it. (See the sections above for my method to remove the meat).
• Keep the pot covered to prevent your stock from evaporating. If you notice the liquid reducing too much, you can add a few cups of water at any time during the process.
• After simmering for at least 4 hours in total, strain your stock through a fine-mesh sieve, strainer, or cheesecloth into a large bowl, pot, or a large stockpot. Simmer up to 24 hours for more flavor before straining.
• Discard everything that was in the pot except the liquid you just strained. The veggies, for example, are beyond saving, but they served a very good purpose.

CHEF JOHN'S HOMEMADE CHICKEN STOCK

Steps:

• Combine chicken, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf in a large stockpot; pour water into pot. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, being careful not to let the mixture come to a boil. Once simmering, skim off any foam or impurities that accumulate on the surface of the water and reduce the heat to low.
• Gently simmer the mixture on low for 12 hours, skimming off any foam as needed.
• Remove stockpot from heat and let cool for 1 hour.
• Pour stock through a fine strainer and transfer to food-safe containers.

CHICKEN GRAVY

Steps:

• Pour drippings and loosened browned bits into a 2-cup measuring cup. Skim fat, reserving 4 tablespoons (if less than 4 tablespoons fat, add enough melted butter to the fat to total 4 tablespoons). Add enough broth to the drippings to measure 2 cups. , In a small saucepan, combine flour and reserved fat until smooth. Gradually stir in the drippings mixture. Stir in the thyme, sage, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes.

THE BEST CHICKEN STOCK

Steps:

• Put the chicken backs and bones, carrots, celery, onion, parsley, leek greens, garlic, black peppercorns and 6 quarts (1 1/2 gallons) of cold water in a large stock pot. Set over high heat and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the stock has reduced by about a third, about 3 hours, occasionally skimming away the fat and scum.
• Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the large pieces of vegetable and bone from the pot and discard. Strain the stock through a fine-mesh sieve into another large stock pot. Cool completely, cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

HOMEMADE CHICKEN BROTH

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a soup kettle or Dutch oven. Slowly bring to a boil; reduce heat until mixture is just at a simmer. Simmer, uncovered, for 3-4 hours, skimming foam as necessary. , Set chicken aside until cool enough to handle. Remove meat from bones. Discard bones; save meat for another use. Strain broth, discarding vegetables and seasonings. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Skim fat from surface.

CHICKEN STOCK

Steps:

• Place the chickens, onions, carrots, celery, parsnips, parsley, thyme, dill, garlic, and seasonings in a 16 to 20-quart stockpot. Add 7 quarts of water and bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, for 4 hours. Strain the entire contents of the pot through a colander and discard the solids. Chill the stock overnight. The next day, remove the surface fat. Use immediately or pack in containers and freeze for up to 3 months.