Now more than ever we are all trying to stretch our dollars and get the most out of the money we spend at the grocery store. Take rotisserie chicken for example, sure it's a fast, easy, and affordable weeknight meal for 4. But did you know that once you've made use of all of the meat that you can actually make a few quarts of the most delicious homemade rotisserie chicken broth with the leftover skin and bones? It's true! Just use this easy DIY chicken broth recipe.
Simple ingredients, complex flavor
When you simmer the bones and skin from your leftover rotisserie chicken in water with garlic, onion, carrots, celery, and some aromatics for a few hours on the stovetop you are left with a rich, luscious chicken broth that is perfect for adding to soups and delicious enough for sipping on its own!
What ingredients do you need to make the easiest DIY Rotisserie Chicken Broth recipe?
Honestly, the essential ingredients needed to make this chicken broth recipe are probably hanging out in your kitchen right now!!! No need to worry about prepping and peeling all sorts of vegetables or dicing anything either. That would complicate things and you can't include the words "the easiest" in the name of a complicated recipe now can you?! Let's talk about the ingredients you will need....
Leftover skin & bones from 1 rotisserie chicken
You don't need a whole chicken for broth, you only need the bare minimum for maximum flavor and a few hours to allow it to work its magic in simmering water. Don't have a few hours right now? That's ok! You can freeze the leftover bones and skin from a rotisserie chicken for up to 3 months.
Head of garlic
Grab an entire head of garlic and slice it horizontally through the middle so that the cloves are still intact in each half. No need to peel or separate cloves here - just slice the head in half and set it aside.
Yellow onions
2 small or 1 large yellow onion will work here and don't even bother peeling them! Just slice the whole onion in half through the root end, then slice the onions into quarters. No yellow onions on hand, no problem! You can use white onions, shallots, or even scallions in this chicken broth. The end result may very in flavor a bit and the onion may be a bit more intense if you use a few scallions as opposed to an entire onions but your broth will still be delicious. I have yet to try making broth with a red onion, in my experience they taste amazing, but they can also change the color of a dish like broth. If you give making broth a try with a red onion let me know how it goes in the comments ok?!
Carrots
3 carrots to be exact, scrubbed super clean! No need to peel our slice - just break each carrot into thirds with your bare hands. Or, I guess you could use a knife, but breaking them is WAY more fun!
Celery
4 celery stalks will do it for an entire pot of broth. Wash them real good, break them into thirds with your hands or a cut them with a knife.
Optional aromatics
There are all sorts of goodies that fall under the category of 'aromatics', but whole black peppercorns, fresh ginger, and fresh flat leaf parsley are my personal favorites for making a bold flavored homemade chicken stock.
Salt
This ingredient is a no-brainer, but it's SUPER important for a rich and flavorful broth! Salt to taste and salt liberally when you are making broth. In our house chicken broth is the foundation of lots of other dishes that I make, so it's important to me that I season every layer well starting with the most basic, broth.
How do you make the easiest DIY Rotisserie Chicken Broth recipe?
While making homemade chicken broth sure does sound intimidating, using the bones and skin from your leftover rotisserie chicken makes the process easy peasy! Plus, your house smells heavenly for hours, it's like a cozy, savory potpourri in a way. I recently shared the entire process on Atlanta & Company so you can watch it my clicking this link or read on to learn how easy it is to make homemade chicken broth!
Step 1
Combine the leftover skin and bones from 1 rotisserie chicken, garlic, onions, carrots, celery, and black peppercorns in the largest stock pot with 4 quarts of water. Don't worry if you can't fit all 4 quarts of water into your stock pot, just fill it up until there is about 2 inches of space left at the top. Bring everything to a boil then reduce to a simmer and allow the broth to simmer and bubble away uncovered for 3 hours, adding additional hot water as needed to keep the level of the liquid in the pot.
Step 2
Cover the pot and cook for 1 hour.
Step 3
Add the aromatics to the pot and any additional water then cover and cook for 1 more hour.
Step 4
Cool, strain, and store! You can keep chicken stock refrigerated for up to a week, but frozen it lasts for up to 3 months!
What equipment do you need to make the easiest DIY Rotisserie Chicken Broth?
Honestly not much! Really the only thing you will need is a really big stock pot. I do put my electric kettle to work when I am making broth though! I keep my kettle on the counter and ready to go during the cooking process so that I can additional boiling water back into the pot as the liquid reduces during cooking. While you can totally use water straight from the tap, I do suggest that you make sure the water is hot when you add it to the simmering stock. This will keep your stock at the optimal simmering temperature for the entire cooking time.
Like I said in the beginning of this blog post, making chicken stock at home is EASY, AFFORDABLE, and DELICIOUS!! I can't wait for you to give it a try!
If you’ve tried The Easiest DIY Rotisserie Chicken Broth Recipe I would be so grateful if you would rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below, I just love hearing from you and your reviews and comments really help others that visit This Mess is Ours!
PrintRotisserie Chicken Broth Recipe
Don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think about this Rotisserie Chicken Broth Recipe in the comments below, I just love hearing from you and your reviews/comments really help other people that visit This Mess is Ours!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: about 3-4 quarts depending on how reduced the stock is 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- Bones and skin from 1 rotisserie chicken
- 1 head garlic, halved, no need to peel
- 2 small, yellow onions, quartered, no need to peel
- 3 carrots, cleaned well and broken into thirds
- 4 stalks celery, broken in thirds
- 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- Aromatics like ginger, fresh parsley
- salt to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring the chicken, garlic, onions, carrots, celery, black peppercorns, and 4 quarts of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer the stock, uncovered, for 3 hours. Skim off any foam that rises to the top and add water as needed to maintain the same level of liquid in the pot.
- Add additional liquid if necessary, but cover the pot and simmer for 2 hours more until a rich stock forms. Add the aromatics and simmer for another hour until a rich stock forms, about 1 hour more. Let cool slightly. Using a fine-mesh strainer, strain the stock into a large bowl; season with salt. Let cool. Transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
No time to make broth today?
No problem, you can freeze chicken bones and skin for up to 3 months in a freezer safe container, so you can make broth whenever you are ready.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 2.4 g
- Sodium: 652.1 mg
- Fat: 2.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 9.8 g
- Protein: 8.5 g
- Cholesterol: 22.1 mg
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What are the health benefits of homemade chicken broth?
Homemade broth made from animal bones is rich in calcium and magnesium. The bones include collagen that will help provide amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins. Bone broth is known to help protect your joints from stress and to fight osteoarthritis.
Click here for more information on the health benefits of chicken broth.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken Broth
What is the difference between chicken broth and chicken stock?
The main differences between the two are consistency and usage. Broth has a thin consistency and is mainly used in soups. Chicken Stock, on the other hand, is thicker and is usually used to cook with rather than eat.
Is it bad to drink chicken broth every day?
There is virtually no negative health impact to eating/drinking chicken broth. Having some every day will do wonders for your body.
How does broth help your gut?
Collagen from the bones helps repair the walls of your intestines. Broth is very beneficial for anyone with digestion or intestinal issues. It heals your gut and soothes the stomach.
Looking for more ways to savor rotisserie chicken? We have you covered!
Easy Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe || This easy rotisserie chicken salad recipe makes a perfect healthy lunch! You can whip up four servings worth in just under twenty minutes and the finished dish has a subtle honey mustard flavor vibe that I just cannot get enough of. This salad combines shredded rotisserie chicken, crunchy celery, sweet grapes, and toasty walnuts that have all been enrobed in a simple dressing made of Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and fresh tarragon. Take back your lunch hour with this light and refreshing rotisserie chicken salad that you are sure to love!
5 Tasty Ways to Serve Rotisserie Chicken
Looking for a few new ways to spruce up that rotisserie chicken from the supermarket? I have a mix of vegetarians and meat eaters at our family table so its imperative I have something for everyone. A simple rotisserie chicken really boosts the protein factor in some of our favorite vegetarian mains like curry, lettuce wraps, grille salads, and more!
Judy says
I'm trying to figure out why yours is darker than most (my preference). I get that from roasting the chicken and veg at a high heat before making the broth & using the resulting dark fond, but you don't do that. Is it because you cook it for a kind of unusual length of time? Well, regardless, I'll give yours a go, because it looks richer than most!
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Judy!
Thank you so much for your comment! I'm glad you noticed the darker, richer color of this broth—it's one of the things I love about it too! You're right; I don't roast the chicken and veggies beforehand. The deep, rich color actually comes from simmering the broth for an extended period of time. By cooking it low and slow, you allow all those natural flavors to concentrate, and the broth picks up a lovely darker hue along the way. I think you'll find that this method not only gives it a great color but also an incredible depth of flavor. I can't wait to hear what you think when you give it a try!
Brenda Chmiel says
The darker color is at least partly from including the onion skins.
Hana says
Hi! A celery stalk means the whole bunch/head right? So 4 whole heads of celery?
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Hana!
Hi there! Great question! When we say "a celery stalk" in the recipe, we actually mean just one individual piece, not the whole bunch or head. So, for this recipe, you’ll only need 4 individual stalks of celery. Thanks for catching that, and happy broth-making!
Allison says
Probably some of the best chicken broth I have ever made. Followed the recipe however I did not have fresh parsley and so I added some freeze dried parsley instead. Beautiful deep golden color when finished.
Angela Hardwick says
This looks good, I am having surgery and need to be on a liquid diet before and aft. This looks better than the broths over the counter. I am just curious if you can make this in the crockpot?
Eliza Clendenin says
I'm glad to hear you found the broth recipe appealing, especially given your current situation. Yes, you can definitely make this in a crockpot! Just follow these simple steps:
Add Ingredients: Place the chicken carcass (or bones) and vegetables in the crockpot.
Add Water: Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients.
Season: Add any herbs or seasonings as desired.
Cook: Set the crockpot to low and let it cook for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours. The longer it cooks, the richer the flavor will be.
Strain: Once done, strain the broth to remove any solids.
This method will give you a delicious, homemade broth with minimal hands-on time. I hope this helps, and I hope you had a smooth surgery and a speedy recovery!
Cindy Bramley says
I was wondering if you could tell us the amounts of the aromatics in the broth recipe.
Cindy Bramley says
I loved your broth recipe but struggle each time I make it on the aromatics. Can you tell me how much you use of each one please? Is a tsp too much not enough?? Thanks
Eliza Clendenin says
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the broth recipe! Just a quick note: since this recipe is specifically for dogs, we avoid using any form of onion or garlic. Both onions and garlic can be harmful to dogs, so it's best to keep them out of their meals.
For the bone broth, you can stick to other dog-safe aromatics, like a small amount of parsley or thyme. Start with about 1 teaspoon of each.
Rosemary says
I'm curious why I want to scrub the carrots and celery clean but not the onion(s) or garlic head? Isn't the latter ingredients kind of dirty too if I don't peel off the outer skin?
meg@thismessisours says
You can totally peel off the paper of the onion and garlic if you prefer. I typically will peel off any broken outer skin of both before adding to the stock pot.
M says
I wonder if you can speed this up in an instant pot…
meg@thismessisours says
I have never tried it in an Instant Pot, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.
M says
So unfortunately when I made this I qdded too much water during the process and it ended up tasting extremely bland. Will try again, but be very careful with the amount of extra water you add during the process.
Emily Susanne says
I can't wait to try this! Do you think this could also be done in a large crockpot? Like maybe put on high for two hours to get really simmering and then on low for a few more? Thanks!
meg@thismessisours says
I have never tried it that way Emily, but I can't imagine why it wouldn't work. If you give it a try let me know how it turns out.
Judy M says
Sounds delicious. Before I make it for the first time, do I include the juice and fat that are in the rotisserie chicken container?
Summer Dickerhoof says
Good question! I normally don't.
Victoria Conner says
I always do
Anonymous says
I am making this as I type, so I can't tell you how it tastes, yet. However, I used a red onion and I only had mixed colored carrots, and well...the broth is purple. It doesn't bother me at all, I actually love it for the novelty if it being natural from carrots! Thanks for the recipe, I'm excited to start using all of the chicken when I get them!
Summer Dickerhoof says
Oh wow! I bet that is pretty!
Chris says
You say 'salt to taste' what is a good starting point for this?
Summer Dickerhoof says
1/4 teaspoon!
Samii says
OMG…YUM!! I accidentally came across this recipe when I was looking for a good chicken stock recipe(to make bbq chicken and vegetable soup) It’s so easy too make and full of flavour…I found my hubby sitting at the kitchen table as he helped himself to a massive bowl of it!
meg@thismessisours says
You just made my day!! I am so glad you love this as much as we do.
Anonymous says
I've made this twice, and it's amazing! I only have minced garlic around, so I just put a couple of blobs in. Same with the ginger. I also used dried parsley and added it in with the water and veggies.
Ed says
Incredibly easy and VERY tasty. I even separated the carrots, celery and onions and had a nice bowl of vegetables for lunch and they were delicious.
Leslie Jackson says
This is a great base recipe and is infinitely customizable. I have a "garbage bag" of veggie ends in the freezer from meal prep so I used that as well as the saved garlic skins of the last three heads I used. This made it incredibly easy. I also used the fresh thyme and sage that were on their last legs. The broth is fantastic and has a deep flavor from simmering for so long. Thank you, I'll be using this base as my go-to from now on!
charlene pierce says
This broth is excellent for cooking homemade noodles in.
Laura says
Thank you for this simple yet amazing recipe! Worth the time, especially since you don't really need to babysit it. So much flavor, it's good on its own. But I turned mine into a creamy chicken gnocchi florentine soup. This broth added another dimension of flavor. This is a keeper!
Eliza Clendenin says
Hey there Laura!
We are so happy that you enjoyed this recipe! It is one of our favorites for sure!
A creamy chicken gnocchi florentine soup sounds SO GOOD! We will definitely have to try that out!
Eliza XX
Karina J says
Made this for the first time but had no celery, parsley, or ginger. I instead added allspice, star anise, bay leaves, and cumin. The broth still came out heavenly. Thankyouuuu
meg@thismessisours says
Oh wow - the addition of allspice, star anise, bay, and cumin sounds just lovely!!! So glad you enjoyed it!
Ricki says
Can this be canned?
Eliza Clendenin says
Hi Ricki! We have not tried canning the chicken broth so we can't give you a definite yes or no answer. Once we have made ours we usually store it in a glass mason jar in the fridge.
I hope this helps!
Katie says
Thank you so much for the delicious recipe! Wanted to let you know that I used 1 big red onion since that's all I had and just took outer papery skin off, diced in 4 and it did not add any color to the broth and was delicious!
Nancy says
How many cloves of garlic do you use? I have a huge head of garlic. Seems like that would be too much.
meg@thismessisours says
A whole head of garlic is what I add - it shouldn't overpower the broth.
KC says
Absolutely fantastic and worth the long cook time! This broth is so delicious on it's own, and I can't wait to use it in other recipes. I made this yesterday when I wasn't feeling the best, and it was so satisfying! I will definitely be making this again soon. Thanks for the great recipe!!!
meg@thismessisours says
I am so glad that you enjoyed this recipe! I drink this stuff by itself like this going out of style!!!
Winniebear says
Before my 17YO kitty passed away, I always enjoyed bringing home a rotisserie chicken because I would save the bones just for him. I haven't brought myself to buy another one because not only does it make me sad but also, I never knew you could make homemade broth from the bones. This recipe has given me a reason to start buying rotisserie chickens again. We use the meat in so many homemade dishes that it always makes sense for us. Thank you for posting this recipe and giving me back a little joy.
meg@thismessisours says
Oh my goodness I am so sorry to hear about your cat but so happy you found a new reason to enjoy rotisserie chicken again! I can totally relate because I associate certain foods with my beloved pets too. I hope you enjoy the broth as much as we do! It makes an incredible chicken noodle soup!
J. D. Rivera says
I have made this recipe several times and love it!! It's easy, has ingredients that I often have on hand, and can be put on the stove anyday I'm around the house. It develops its deliciousness while I do other things. It also helps me during the week on those work days when I come home and want something wholesome but have less time to prepare. Out of the freezer, into the fridge in the morning, and I can use it to prepare a meal as simple or complex as I have time for on a weekday. Today I will be making it with two carcasses for the first time. Can't wait for the aroma to fill my kitchen!! I have shared it with friends and they love it. Thank you for this recipe. Easy, delicious and full of flavor.
meg@thismessisours says
Thank you so much for commenting and for sharing the recipe - it really does make my heart so happy to know you are loving it! There is nothing more comforting to me on a chilly day than the aroma of a simmering pot full of stock bubbling away...just nothing!!!
KS says
In your original recipe did you add ginger as one of your aromatics? Also about what measurements would you suggest for peppercorns ginger and parsley ?
meg@thismessisours says
Hi - peppercorns anywhere from 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon. I usually put 3 quarter-sized pieces of ginger if using and if using parsley you can use up to 5 or 6 large sprigs. It is all customizable depending on your taste, so you really cannot go wrong.
Jessie says
Made this as a base to use for a lentil soup, but it was so good I ended up drinking a good amount of it on it's own! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe!
meg@thismessisours says
Hooray Jessie! That is so great - I have literally done the same thing so many times. I anticipate making one thing - then just sip the broth instead. hahah! So glad that you like it too!
Brigid C says
I made this last night and it was delicious! Checked the container this morning and it gelatinized perfectly. I used 2x roast chicken carcasses, one that still had some meat left on it, and this was tender and tasty, we also enjoyed the carrots.
meg@thismessisours says
Oh my goodness Brigid you just made my day, I am so glad you loved the recipe!! Thank you for taking the time to comment and rate the recipe.
LG says
Is the total cook time 3 hours or 5/6? The way I read this it's simmer uncovered for 3 hours, then simmer covered for 1 or 2 hours (it's listed differently in the recipe vs paragraph form) then add aromatics and simmer covered for another hour. Is it 3 hours for broth but the additional 2-3 hours makes stock? Am going to save the skin and bones from the rotisserie chicken I just picked up and can't wait to try this!
Thanks!
meg@thismessisours says
Oh my goodness Laura!! Thank you for catching that. You know what that was? That was a - I typed my recipe up at 5:30am while my kid's were asleep with minimal coffee." mishap. I have adjusted the time accordingly. Thank you so, so much and I hope you enjoy the broth! It does take time - but it is hands off time and your house will smell heavenly. Not to mention, you will have some incredible broth.
LG says
Thanks so much for the clarification! Am excited to try this soon!
Michelle Lamp says
Making this for the second time. I used the last batch for Italian wedding soup and it was delish!
meg@thismessisours says
Oh my goodness Michelle - that makes my day!! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I am so glad you love it and that Italian Wedding Soup you are making sounds divine!