Olivia Carter
Chicken broth is one of the staple ingredients in many cuisines around the world. It’s used as a base for soups, sauces, and even as a cooking liquid for rice and grains. While it’s readily available in stores, making your own chicken broth from scratch gives you complete control over the flavors and ingredients. In this article, we will show you how to make a rich and flavorful homemade chicken broth using a rotisserie chicken.
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
To make homemade chicken broth, you will need:
- 1 rotisserie chicken
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, smashed
- A handful of fresh parsley
- 1 bay leaf
- 10 cups of water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Note: You can also add other herbs and spices such as thyme, rosemary, or peppercorns to enhance the flavor of your broth.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Remove the skin from the rotisserie chicken and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Set aside the meat for future use.
Step 3: Make the Broth
In a large pot, add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, parsley, bay leaf, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for at least 2 hours, or until the broth has reduced and the flavors have melded together.
Step 4: Strain and Season
Using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth, strain the broth to remove any impurities and solids. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5: Store or Use
Once the broth has cooled, you can store it in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze it for several months. Use the homemade chicken broth as a base for soups, stews, sauces, or any recipe that calls for chicken broth.
Now that you know how easy it is to make homemade chicken broth with a rotisserie chicken, you can enjoy the rich and delicious flavors in your favorite dishes. Give it a try and elevate your cooking to the next level!
Gather the Ingredients
Before you can make homemade chicken broth with rotisserie chicken, you’ll need to gather a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Rotisserie Chicken
Start with a fully cooked rotisserie chicken. Remove the meat from the bones and set it aside for later use in other recipes. We’ll be using the bones and carcass to make the broth.
2. Vegetables
Gather a variety of vegetables to enhance the flavor of the broth. Some common options include:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
3. Herbs and Spices
To add depth and aroma to your chicken broth, you’ll want to include a few herbs and spices. Consider using:
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
4. Water
Lastly, you’ll need water to simmer the ingredients and extract all the flavors. Plan on using enough water to fully cover the chicken bones and vegetables.
With these simple ingredients on hand, you’re ready to move on to the next steps of making homemade chicken broth with rotisserie chicken.
Prepare the Rotisserie Chicken
Before making homemade chicken broth, start by preparing the rotisserie chicken. Remove the chicken from its packaging and discard any excess fat or skin. Place the chicken on a clean cutting board or plate.
To make shredding the chicken easier, use two forks to pull the meat apart. Start by holding one fork in each hand and placing them at opposite ends of the chicken. Press the forks into the meat and pull in opposite directions, allowing the chicken to separate into smaller pieces.
Continue shredding the chicken until all of the meat has been separated. Be sure to remove any bones or cartilage that may be present. Once shredded, set the chicken aside to be used later in the homemade chicken broth recipe.
| Tip: | If you prefer a chunkier broth, you can leave the chicken pieces larger. For a smoother broth, shred the chicken into smaller, bite-sized pieces. |
Prepare the Vegetables
To make homemade chicken broth with rotisserie chicken, you will need a variety of vegetables to add flavor to the broth. Here’s how to prepare the vegetables:
1. Onion
Start by peeling and halving a medium-sized onion. Coarsely chop the onion into large chunks. The onion will help provide a strong base flavor for the broth.
2. Carrots and Celery
Next, grab a couple of carrots and celery stalks. Make sure to wash them thoroughly before peeling the carrots and trimming the ends of both vegetables. Slice the carrots and celery into chunks of approximately the same size as the onion.
3. Garlic
Take a few cloves of garlic and crush them using the flat side of a knife. Peel off the skin and set the crushed cloves aside. Garlic adds a lovely aromatic element to the broth.
4. Additional Vegetables
Feel free to add other vegetables of your choice to enhance the flavor of the homemade chicken broth. Some options include leeks, parsnips, and mushrooms. Wash and chop these vegetables accordingly.
| Vegetable | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Onion | 1 medium-sized |
| Carrots | 2 |
| Celery stalks | 2 |
| Garlic cloves | A few |
| Additional vegetables | As desired |
Preparing the vegetables is an essential step in making chicken broth with rotisserie chicken. These vegetables will contribute to the rich and flavorful broth that you will enjoy in your homemade recipes.
Cook the Chicken Broth
1. Remove the chicken meat from the bones of the rotisserie chicken and set aside for another use.
2. Place the chicken bones, skin, and any leftover juices from the rotisserie chicken into a large stockpot.
3. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the stockpot.
4. Season with salt, pepper, and any desired herbs or spices. Common options include bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, and parsley.
5. Pour enough water into the stockpot to cover the ingredients, typically around 8-10 cups.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 2-3 hours.
7. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during cooking.
8. After simmering, remove the stockpot from the heat and let the broth cool slightly.
9. Place a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a large bowl or another pot.
10. Pour the broth through the strainer, catching any solids and leaving only clear broth in the bowl.
11. Discard the solids and transfer the chicken broth to storage containers.
Note: Homemade chicken broth can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for several months.
Strain and Store the Chicken Broth
Once the broth has simmered for the desired length of time, it’s time to strain out all of the solids and store the delicious homemade chicken broth.
First, prepare a large bowl or container and a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Place the strainer or cheesecloth over the bowl, ensuring that it is secure and will not fall in.
Carefully pour the broth from the pot into the strainer or cheesecloth. Allow the broth to strain through, capturing all of the liquid while separating it from the chicken bones, vegetables, and herbs.
Use the back of a spoon to press down on the solids in the strainer or cheesecloth, extracting as much liquid as possible. Be careful not to force any solids through the strainer.
Once all of the liquid has strained through, discard the solids from the strainer or cheesecloth. They have served their purpose in flavoring the broth, but are no longer needed.
Next, let the strained broth cool down to room temperature. It is important to let it cool completely before storing it in the refrigerator or freezer. This allows any impurities to settle and makes it easier to remove any excess fat that may rise to the surface.
Finally, transfer the strained chicken broth to airtight containers or freezer-safe bags. If using bags, be sure to squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the containers or bags with the date and contents of the broth for easy identification later on.
Store the chicken broth in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days, or in the freezer for several months. It can be used as a base for soups, stews, sauces, or simply enjoyed as a warm and comforting drink on its own.
Now that you know how to strain and store homemade chicken broth, you can enjoy the rich and flavorful taste in all of your favorite recipes.
FAQ
What is the best way to make homemade chicken broth?
The best way to make homemade chicken broth is to start with a rotisserie chicken. Remove the meat from the chicken and set it aside for other recipes. Place the carcass of the chicken in a large pot and cover it with water. Add vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions, along with herbs and spices like bay leaves, parsley, and thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it simmer for several hours to extract all the flavors. Strain the broth and discard the solids. The result is a delicious homemade chicken broth that can be used in a variety of recipes.
Can I use a regular cooked chicken instead of a rotisserie chicken?
Yes, you can use a regular cooked chicken instead of a rotisserie chicken to make homemade chicken broth. The process is the same – remove the meat from the chicken and use the carcass to make the broth. However, keep in mind that the flavor of the broth may differ slightly depending on the seasoning and cooking method used for the chicken.
What can I do with the leftover chicken meat after making the broth?
After making the broth, you can use the leftover chicken meat in a variety of recipes. Shred it and add it to soups, salads, or sandwiches. You can also use it as a filling for tacos, enchiladas, or casseroles. The possibilities are endless!
How long can I store homemade chicken broth?
You can store homemade chicken broth in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. If you want to store it for a longer period, you can freeze it in airtight containers and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just make sure to cool the broth completely before transferring it to the freezer.
