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Basic Chicken Stock Recipe

Daniel Gritzer
Basic Chicken Stock Recipe

Different cuts of chicken produce broths of different colors, but don't let the appearance fool you! [Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

White chicken stock, in which neither the chicken nor the aromatics are roasted first, may be the most versatile of all stocks. It's also incredibly easy to make, leading to a deeply flavorful stock, using a method and ingredients that are as easy and accessible as possible. Requiring a minimal investment of time and effort, this stock will upgrade any dish or sauce you make much more reliably than the store-bought variety.

Why It Works

  • Diced aromatics infuse more flavor into the broth than the larger pieces often used in stock.
  • Unflavored gelatin improves the body of stocks made with parts of the chicken that are less collagen-rich.
  • Keeping the stock at a very gentle simmer eliminates the need for skimming: Just fine-strain when the stock is done, and the quality won't be compromised.

Read more: How to Make the Best Chicken Stock

  • Yield:Makes about 3 quarts (2.8L)
  • Active time: 15 minutes
  • Total time:1 hour 45 minutes, excluding chilling time
  • Rated: 5

Ingredients

  • 4 to 8 pounds (1.8 to 3.6kg) chicken parts, such as wings, bones, breasts, and legs (see note)
  • 4 quarts (3.8L) water
  • 2 large yellow onions, diced
  • 4 large carrots, diced
  • 4 large celery ribs, diced
  • 8 crushed medium cloves garlic
  • 2 large sprigs parsley (see note)
  • 2 packets unflavored gelatin, dissolved in 1/2 cup (120ml) cold water (optional; see note)

Directions

  1. 1.

    Combine chicken, water, onions, celery, garlic, and parsley in a large stockpot and bring to a simmer over low heat. Lower heat, maintaining a very gentle simmer, and cook for 1 hour 30 minutes. Strain stock through a fine-mesh strainer, let cool, then transfer to containers and refrigerate until completely chilled, about 6 hours. Skim off and remove any fat and scum on the surface. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 6 months. If stock is thin even after being fully refrigerated, add optional gelatin solution to stock and bring to a boil until fully dissolved, then refrigerate or freeze.

This Recipe Appears In
How to Make the Best Chicken Stock

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