Olivia Carter
Are you tired of throwing away the leftover rotisserie chicken that’s been languishing in your fridge? Don’t toss it just yet! You can easily transform those sad chicken scraps into a delicious and nutritious chicken broth.
Chicken broth is a versatile ingredient that forms the base of many soups, stews, and sauces. It’s rich in flavor and packed with essential nutrients. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make at home using just a few simple ingredients.
By making your own chicken broth, you can control the quality of the ingredients and customize the flavors to your liking. You’ll also avoid the additives and preservatives often found in store-bought broth. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and turn that leftover rotisserie chicken into a batch of hearty and flavorful chicken broth!
Overview: Chicken Broth Recipe
Chicken broth is a versatile and flavorful base for soups, stews, and sauces, and making it from scratch is easier than you might think. In this recipe, we will show you how to make a delicious chicken broth using leftover rotisserie chicken.
To make chicken broth, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Leftover rotisserie chicken carcass
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, smashed
- A bunch of fresh herbs, such as parsley, thyme, and bay leaves
- Whole peppercorns
- Salt, to taste
- Water
First, remove any leftover meat from the chicken carcass and set it aside for other uses. Then, place the chicken carcass in a large pot and add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, fresh herbs, and a tablespoon of whole peppercorns. Cover everything with water, making sure the ingredients are fully submerged.
Bring the pot to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let the broth simmer for 1 to 2 hours. Skim off any foam that rises to the top during simmering.
Once the broth has simmered to your liking, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any solids. Season the broth with salt to taste.
The chicken broth is now ready to be used in your favorite soups, stews, and sauces. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for later use.
By making your own chicken broth, you not only get to control the ingredients but also capture the rich flavors of the rotisserie chicken. Plus, it’s a great way to reduce waste and make the most out of your leftovers. Enjoy!
Preparing the Ingredients
Before you can start making chicken broth with leftover rotisserie chicken, you’ll need to gather and prepare all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Leftover rotisserie chicken: Remove the meat from the bones and shred it into smaller pieces. You can use both white and dark meat for a richer flavor.
2. Vegetables: Chop an onion, a carrot, and a stalk of celery into small pieces. These aromatic vegetables will add depth of flavor to your broth.
3. Garlic: Finely mince 2-3 cloves of garlic. Garlic will enhance the taste of the broth and add a subtle, savory note.
4. Herbs and spices: Gather a few sprigs of fresh thyme and rosemary. If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can use dried ones instead. Additionally, you can add a bay leaf, a pinch of black peppercorns, and a sprinkle of salt to season the broth.
5. Water: You’ll need enough water to cover all the ingredients in your pot. Make sure you have a large enough pot to accommodate everything.
Gathering and preparing these ingredients is an essential step to ensure a flavorful and aromatic chicken broth. Once you have everything ready, you can move on to the next steps of the recipe.
Simmering the Broth
Once you have all of your ingredients ready, it’s time to simmer the broth. This will allow the flavors to meld together and create a delicious, rich base for your soups, stews, and other recipes.
Step 1: Prepare the pot
Start by getting a large pot and placing it on the stove over medium heat. Make sure the pot is big enough to hold all of your ingredients comfortably.
Step 2: Add the chicken carcass and vegetables
Place the chicken carcass, along with any leftover skin and bones, into the pot. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery as well. These aromatic vegetables will add depth of flavor to your broth.
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Step 3: Pour in the water
Pour enough water into the pot to cover the chicken and vegetables completely. This will ensure that all of the flavors are extracted and infused into the broth as it simmers.
Step 4: Season and bring to a boil
Add salt, pepper, and any other seasonings or herbs that you prefer. This is your chance to customize the flavor of the broth to your liking. Give everything a good stir, then turn the heat up to high and bring the mixture to a boil.
Step 5: Reduce heat and simmer
Once the broth reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered. Simmering allows the flavors to meld together and intensify over time. Let the broth simmer for at least 2-3 hours, or even longer if you have the time.
Remember to occasionally skim off any impurities or foam that rise to the surface of the broth during simmering.
During this time, you can go about your day and let the flavorful aroma fill your kitchen.
Step 6: Strain the broth
After simmering, it is time to strain the broth to remove any solids and impurities.
Place a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a large bowl or another pot. Carefully pour the broth through the strainer, allowing it to flow through while catching any solid pieces.
Use the back of a spoon or spatula to press down on the solids in the strainer, extracting as much liquid as possible.
Your homemade chicken broth is now ready to be used in all your delicious recipes! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze it for later use.
Now you have a flavorful and nutritious broth made from leftover rotisserie chicken that you can use to elevate all your favorite dishes!
Straining the Broth
Once the broth has simmered for a sufficient amount of time and all the flavors have melded together, it is time to strain the broth to remove any solid pieces and impurities.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to strain the broth:
- Prepare a large bowl or a pot and place a fine mesh strainer on top of it.
- Carefully pour the broth through the strainer, allowing it to flow into the bowl or pot while catching any solid pieces.
- Use the back of a ladle or a spoon to press down on the solid pieces in the strainer, extracting as much broth as possible.
- Discard the solid pieces remaining in the strainer.
- If desired, you can strain the broth a second time to ensure maximum clarity.
Once the broth has been strained, it is now ready to be used in your favourite recipes. You can store the broth in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze it for longer storage.
Storing and Using the Broth
Once you have made your delicious chicken broth, it’s important to store it properly to keep it fresh and safe to consume. Here are some tips on how to store and use your homemade chicken broth:
Storing:
1. Allow the broth to cool down before storing it. This can be done by placing the pot in an ice bath or transferring it to a shallow container.
2. Once cooled, transfer the broth to airtight containers. You can use glass jars, plastic containers or freezer-safe bags.
3. Label the containers with the date of preparation to keep track of its freshness.
4. Store the broth in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Using:
1. Thaw frozen broth in the refrigerator overnight before using.
2. Use the broth as a base for soups, stews, and sauces. It adds depth and flavor to any dish.
3. You can also use the broth to cook grains like rice or quinoa to give them a delicious savory taste.
4. To enhance the flavor of your dishes, you can reduce the broth by simmering it on the stove until it becomes more concentrated.
5. If you have excess broth and don’t want to use it immediately, consider dividing it into small portions and freezing it for later use.
By properly storing and using your chicken broth, you can make the most out of your leftover rotisserie chicken and create flavorful meals for days to come. Enjoy!
FAQ
What is a good recipe for making chicken broth with leftover rotisserie chicken?
A good recipe for making chicken broth with leftover rotisserie chicken involves simmering the chicken bones, vegetables, and herbs in water for a few hours. You can add onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns for flavor. Once the broth is done, strain it and it is ready to be used in various dishes.
Can I make chicken broth with just the leftover rotisserie chicken meat?
While it’s best to use the leftover bones and carcass of the rotisserie chicken to make flavorful broth, you can still make a simple chicken broth using just the leftover meat. To do this, simmer the meat in water with some vegetables and herbs of your choice. The broth may not be as rich in flavor as when using bones, but it will still add depth to your dishes.
How long does it take to make chicken broth with leftover rotisserie chicken?
It typically takes a few hours to make chicken broth with leftover rotisserie chicken. This allows enough time for the flavors to develop and the nutrients to be extracted from the bones and vegetables. However, you can also use a pressure cooker or an Instant Pot to speed up the process and reduce the cooking time to around 1-2 hours.
What are some dishes I can use the chicken broth made from leftover rotisserie chicken in?
You can use the chicken broth made from leftover rotisserie chicken in a variety of dishes. It can be the base for soups, stews, risottos, and sauces. You can also use it to cook grains like rice or quinoa for added flavor. Additionally, it can be used to braise meats or vegetables, or simply enjoyed as a comforting, nourishing broth on its own.
