There is something deeply comforting about standing in the kitchen with a pot simmering on the stove. The aroma of herbs, chicken, and vegetables fills the air and brings a sense of peace. Learning how to make chicken broth has become one of my favorite weekly routines. It is simple, nourishing, and deeply grounding, a reminder (telling myself here too) that slow and steady is often the healthiest way to live.
Over the past few months, I have been buying all my meats from Farm 1915, and I cannot say enough good things about them. Their products are grass fed, grass finished, and organic. The flavor is richer, the quality is unmatched, and I feel confident knowing exactly what I am feeding my family.
Choosing quality ingredients is one of the most powerful ways we can care for our bodies. But I also understand that organic and grass fed options are not affordable for everyone. The good news is that there are creative ways to eat better without overspending.
Why Learning How to Make Chicken Broth Matters
Once you learn how to make chicken broth, you may never want to buy it from the big box store again. Homemade broth is filled with collagen, minerals, and nutrients that support your immune system, gut health, and overall well-being.
Most store-bought broths contain preservatives and additives that lessen the nutritional value. When you make it yourself, you control every ingredient. It becomes intentional from start to finish, and you know exactly what is going into your pot.
Homemade broth is also versatile. You can use it as a base for soups, sauces, or stews, or enjoy it on its own as a warm, nourishing drink. It is the foundation for so many wholesome meals and a great way to make the most of what you already have in your kitchen.
Choosing the Right Chicken
The first step in learning how to make chicken broth is choosing the right chicken. I always recommend starting with an organic, air-chilled, pasture-raised, or grass fed bird. The quality of the chicken directly affects both the taste and the nutritional value of your broth.
That is one of the reasons I love ordering from Farm 1915. Their chickens are raised humanely and free from antibiotics or hormones. The flavor is clean and rich, and I feel good knowing where it comes from.
If you are roasting a whole chicken, save every bit of it. The bones, skin, and leftover pieces can all be used to make broth. If you want to see how I roast my chicken, visit my post on How to Roast a Whole Chicken. It is one of our family favorites and the perfect first step before turning those bones into broth.
Ingredients for Homemade Chicken Broth
Ingredients
Bones from one roasted chicken or about three pounds of raw bones
One onion, quartered
Two carrots, roughly chopped
Two celery stalks, roughly chopped
Three cloves of garlic, smashed
One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
One teaspoon of salt
Half a teaspoon of black peppercorns
A few sprigs of thyme or parsley
Ten to twelve cups of filtered water
How to Make Chicken Broth Step by Step
Prepare the bones
Place your chicken bones in a large pot or slow cooker. If you used a roasted chicken, scrape in any leftover drippings or bits of skin for extra flavor.Add vegetables and herbs
Add your onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and herbs. This is the time to use up vegetables that are a little past their prime. It is a great way to reduce waste and stretch what you already have.Add vinegar and water
Pour in the apple cider vinegar and fill the pot with water. The vinegar helps extract minerals like calcium and magnesium from the bones, which makes your broth more nutrient dense.Simmer slowly
Bring the pot to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for at least six to eight hours, though longer is even better. Twelve to twenty-four hours will create a rich, golden broth. If you are using a slow cooker, let it cook overnight on low.Strain and store
Once your broth is finished, strain it through a fine mesh sieve and discard the solids. Store the broth in glass jars in the refrigerator for up to five days or freeze it for up to three months.
The Importance of Quality Ingredients
Learning how to make chicken broth is about more than just cooking. It is about feeding your family in a way that supports health and longevity. That is why choosing organic, grass fed, and grass finished ingredients makes a difference.
Farm 1915 has become my trusted source because they care for both the animals and the land. Grass fed and grass finished meat contains higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and beneficial nutrients that support your heart and immune system.
If organic meat is not within your budget, there are creative ways to find good food. You can connect with a local farmer who sells directly to families or even trade services for products. Some small farms offer monthly subscription boxes that deliver meats and produce straight to your door.
Another simple way to save is by buying only what you know you will eat. Making smaller grocery trips more often can help reduce waste. I also love using curbside pickup. For about five dollars, it saves me from wandering down aisles and adding extra items to my cart.
Building a Foundation of Nourishment
Knowing how to make chicken broth is part of a larger mindset. It is about creating a foundation of nourishment for your home. When your family eats foods that are nutrient dense, they naturally feel more satisfied and crave fewer processed snacks.
In my post The True Value of Milling Your Own Wheat, I talk about why whole ingredients matter. Freshly milled flour, homemade broth, and real vegetables all share one thing in common, they feed the body with nutrients the way God intended.
It takes time to build these habits, and that is completely okay. Be patient with yourself and your family. Over time, they will notice how much better real food makes them feel. It is not about perfection. It is about progress, one meal at a time.
A Balanced Approach
I believe in balance when it comes to food. While we prioritize whole, homemade meals, we also make room for treats. My family loves In-N-Out, and we make it a once-a-month outing. Health should not feel restrictive. It should feel joyful and sustainable.
Knowing how to make chicken broth and choosing wholesome foods is simply part of living intentionally. It is about making small choices that add up to big changes. Some nights dinner will be homemade soup, and other nights it might be takeout. Both can fit into a healthy lifestyle when the foundation is strong.
My Final Thoughts
Making chicken broth from scratch may seem simple, but it is one of the most meaningful things you can do for your family. It connects you to your food and teaches you patience and care.
So next time you roast a chicken, do not throw away the bones. Turn them into something nourishing and healing. Choose quality ingredients when you can, find creative ways to save, and give yourself grace along the way.
This process is more than a recipe. It is an act of love, a reflection of how you care for the people around your table.
