How To Make Chicken Bone Broth – Slow Cooker Method
- Total Time: 10 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
If you’ve ever wondered how to make chicken bone broth at home, this simple slow cooker chicken bone broth recipe is the perfect place to start. Using chicken bones from your Sunday roast, you can create a rich, golden chicken broth that’s naturally full of collagen, flavour and nourishment. Unlike expensive shop bought bone broths, this homemade version costs very little and uses ingredients you already have in your kitchen. It’s an easy, no fuss way to make a bone broth recipe that supports gut health, boosts your immune system and reduces food waste. Whether you call it chicken broth, bone broth, or simply good old homemade stock, this slow cooker chicken broth will become a staple in your weekly cooking…..delicious in soups, sauces, risottos or just sipped warm from a mug.
So why spend a fortune on shop bought bone broth when you can make your own rich, collagen packed chicken broth at home? With just a few simple ingredients and your slow cooker, you can turn roast chicken bones into something truly nourishing and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 cooked chicken carcass (from your Sunday roast), with any skin and bones
- 1 large onion, roughly chopped
- 2 carrots, scrubbed and cut into chunks
- 2 celery sticks, chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, lightly crushed
- 1 bay leaf
- A few sprigs of fresh thyme or parsley stalks
- 6–8 whole peppercorns
- Cold water, enough to cover (about 2 litres)
- Salt, to taste (added at the end)
Instructions
- Break up the chicken carcass so it fits easily into the slow cooker. Include any leftover skin, bones and even the jelly from the roasting tin as it all adds flavour.
- Scatter in the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaf, herbs and peppercorns.
- Pour in enough cold water to cover the ingredients by a couple of centimetres.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours (or overnight) until the broth is rich and golden. Avoid stirring too much as a gentle simmer keeps the broth clear.
- Carefully pour the mixture through a fine sieve or muslin into a large bowl or jug. Discard the solids as they have done their job! Taste and add salt as needed.
- If you wish to get rid of excess oils, simply place in the fridge for a couple of hours. Once it cools the oil goes to the top and you can remove easy. Any fat that sets on top can be skimmed off and saved for roasting vegetables.
- Once cool, refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze in portions for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 10 hours
- Category: lunch
- Method: slow cooker
- Cuisine: British
What are the best bones to use for chicken bone broth?
The best bones for making chicken bone broth are a mix of different parts of the bird, as each brings its own flavour and nutrients. Use a whole chicken carcass if you have one from a roast, including the back, wings, neck and any leftover skin. If you want a richer broth, add a few raw chicken feet, thighs or drumsticks, as they’re packed with collagen and gelatine. The combination of roasted and raw bones gives the broth a deep, golden colour and full-bodied taste.
Is bone broth just boiled bones?
Not quite. While it starts with boiling bones, true bone broth is slowly simmered for several hours, which is often 8 to 12 hours, to gently draw out the collagen, minerals and flavour locked inside the bones and connective tissue. It’s cooked with water, vegetables and herbs, creating a nourishing liquid that’s more delicate and nutritious than a quick stock. The slow cooking transforms the bones into a rich, savoury broth that’s perfect for soups, sauces or sipping on its own
Chicken bone broth benefits
Naturally rich in collagen for healthy skin, joints and hair
Contains minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus
Gentle on the digestive system and supports gut health
Helps boost immunity and overall wellbeing
Great for hydration and recovery after illness
Can reduce food waste by using leftover chicken bones
Adds a deep, savoury flavour to soups, gravies and sauces