Chicken stock is easy to make and makes a delicious base for soups and many recipes. Chicken stock is extremely nutritious. It is one of those ingredients that are ubiquitous when it comes to non-vegetarian kitchens. Chicken stock is savory, aromatic, and tastes delicious. Herbs like parsley, thyme, and rosemary add to its flavor. Chicken stock improves the flavor and depth of any dish to which it is added. Chicken stock can be made in bulk and stored for later use in the refrigerator.
Health Benefits
Chicken stock is loaded with vitamin A and Vitamin B6 which improve eyesight and boost immunity. It is extremely rich in minerals, protein, collagen, and gelatin extracted from the bones while cooking on a slow flame. That’s why homemade chicken stock helps in treating common cold!
Ingredients
pounds leftover chicken bones or 1 whole chicken carcass : 2
cups water: 12
carrots: 2
onion: 1
celery stalks: 2
bay leaves: 2
garlic cloves unpeeled and bashed: 5
sprigs thyme: 2
stems fresh parsley: 6
tsp black peppercorns: 1
tsp vinegar: 1
tsp salt: 1
How To Make Chicken Stock
- Wash all the vegetables well. Cut the carrot, celery, and onion into big chunks.
- Chop parsley, rosemary and thyme sprigs into 2 halves.
- Pour water in a large pot. Place the chicken bones, cut vegetables, chopped herbs, peppercorns, salt, bay leaves, garlic, and vinegar in the pot.
- Bring the pot to a boil. Reduce the flame to low and cover the pot with a lid.
- Let the chicken stock simmer for 8 hours. Stir the pot in between. Add more water while it simmers, if the water reduces too much.
- Remove from the flame after 8 hours. Strain the chicken stock through a mesh sieve.
- Discard bones and vegetables. Use chicken stock immediately or store in a refrigerator once it cools to room temperature. Chicken stock can be stored in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Trivia
Chickens outnumber any other bird in the world. There are more chickens than humans on earth. Chickens are consumed in huge numbers daily. These chicken bones end up in the landfill, where they don’t decay and hence, mummify. Fossilized chicken bones may thus end up being the “Legacy of our Age”.