Quick and Easy Healing Chicken Bone Broth Recipe
A few years ago, I learned just how healing chicken bone broth can be. I remember sitting and sewing while listening to a YouTube video that explained its benefits. I was astounded—how could such a simple food have such a profound effect on the body? That moment sparked my curiosity about other homemade, nourishing foods and ultimately led me to my homemaking and homesteading journey.
So here we are, a few years down the road and I have been homemaking up a storm! I love an enjoy cooking from scratch and growing foods that we eat. While we are not anywhere grand on our homesteading journey, we are on the path and that’s what matters!
Aside from the fact that bone broth is very healing, it is delicious and easy to make.
While chicken bone broth is fast and easy to make for same day usage, I like to can my bone broth in mason jars at least once a month. I use enough of this gut healthy soup to can regularly!
So, lets get cooking!
What are the healing properties of bone broth?
Bone broth offers a wide range of health benefits, particularly for gut health, joint support, skin vitality, immune function, and overall well-being. Packed with essential nutrients, it has been used for centuries as a healing, nourishing food.
Gut Health and Digestion
Collagen from the bones breaks down into gelatin and amino acids like glutamine. Glutamine plays a crucial role in repairing the gut lining, reducing inflammation, and supporting conditions such as leaky gut syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other digestive disorders. The gelatin in bone broth also supports healthy digestion by attracting water to the digestive tract, helping food move smoothly through the intestines.
Joint and Bone Support
Glucosamine and chondroitin, naturally occurring compounds in bone broth, are well-known for their role in joint health. These compounds support cartilage, which cushions the joints and may help reduce pain and stiffness caused by conditions like arthritis or general wear and tear.
Collagen, another key component of bone broth, provides the building blocks needed to maintain strong joints, ligaments, and tendons. As we age, our natural collagen production declines, leading to stiffness and joint discomfort. Regularly consuming bone broth can help replenish these essential proteins, improving flexibility and mobility.
Skin, Hair, and Nail Health
Collagen is not just beneficial for joints—it also plays a significant role in maintaining youthful, healthy skin. By supporting skin elasticity and hydration, collagen helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Many people turn to collagen supplements for anti-aging benefits, but bone broth provides a natural and highly absorbable source of collagen.
Additionally, the amino acids in bone broth support keratin production, strengthening hair and nails. If you struggle with brittle nails or thinning hair, adding bone broth to your diet may help promote stronger, healthier growth.
Immune System Boost
Bone broth is rich in amino acids such as arginine, glycine, and proline, which help regulate inflammation and support immune function. A well-functioning immune system is essential for fighting off infections and recovering from illness.
The minerals found in bone broth—such as magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus—also play a role in supporting the body’s natural defenses. These nutrients contribute to proper cellular function, bone health, and energy production. This makes the soup a perfect way to combat cold and flu season and is very soothing on sore throats.
Hydration and Electrolyte Balance
In addition to vitamins and minerals, bone broth contains essential electrolytes like potassium and sodium, which help maintain proper hydration. Electrolytes are crucial for nerve function, muscle contractions, and maintaining the body’s pH balance.
For those who struggle to stay hydrated, especially during illness or after strenuous activity, sipping on bone broth can help replenish lost electrolytes and fluids more effectively than plain water.
Liver Detoxification and Sleep Support
One of the standout compounds in bone broth is glycine, an amino acid that plays a vital role in detoxifying the liver. Glycine supports the body’s natural detox pathways, helping to eliminate toxins and reduce oxidative stress.
Beyond detoxification, glycine also acts as a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and better sleep quality. Studies suggest that glycine can help improve sleep by lowering body temperature and calming the nervous system, making bone broth a great evening drink to wind down before bed.
How do I make homemade bone broth?
My favorite way to make chicken bone broth starts with a roast chicken (usually a leftover rotisserie chicken). After making a shredded chicken recipe for dinner, I will pick off the meat. After picking off the meat, I place the leftover carcass into the Instant Pot and toss in vegetable scraps. Then, I fill the pot with water, add a splash of apple cider vinegar to help extract nutrients from the bones, and set it to pressure cook for one hour.
Once it’s done, I either use the broth immediately or let it slow cook for another 24 hours—mostly because I don’t feel like dealing with it right away!
You can add any vegetable scraps to enhance the flavor of your broth. Some of my favorites include onion skins, carrot peels, celery tops, and even potato skins. Almost any vegetable scrap works well, making homemade bone broth both flavorful and a great way to reduce food waste.
One special tip I have for you is to use your instant pot strainer to put the chicken in. This help making clean up a breeze and you don’t have to worry about accidentally pouring your bone broth down the sink!
What variations can I make to this bone broth?
You can also use beef bones to make beef bone broth. That is very healing as well and carries the same benefits of chicken bone broth.
Add more vegetables to add more flavor. Instead of using vegetable scraps, use whole vegetables to extract more flavor.
How do I use chicken bone broth?
Use in your favorite recipes that calls for broth or any other liquid. The added flavor of the broth elevates simple soups, stews, and sauces. You can also use it as the cooking liquid for rice and quinoa for added nutrition.
Serving Suggestions
When serving your homemade broth, you can serve it plain with a pinch of fresh parsley.
Make a homemade taco soup by adding tomatoes, beans, lime juice, and seasonings. Serve with tortilla chips.
Serve a delicious homemade chicken noodle soup by adding homemade egg noodles and vegetables.
Make a gut healing chicken and wild rice soup.
Have a yummy soup salad combo by making homemade tomato soup and a melty grilled cheese sandwich.
Egg drop soup is easy to make with homemade bone broth! Just drizzle egg into a boiling pot of bone broth and thicken with corn starch.
Step By Step Instructions for homemade chicken bone broth
Step 1
Add an instant pot strainer to the pressure cooker.
Step 2
Put the chicken bones into the pressure cooker strainer basket.
Step 3
Add vegetables and scraps on top, filling to the max pressure cook line of the pressure cooker.
Step 4
Add water until the max pressure cook line.
Step 5
Run the pressure cooker on high pressure for 1 hour.
Step 6
Strain the broth and enjoy as is or turn it into a gut healing soup.
Step 7
Add simple seasonings such as salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Remember that homemade chicken bone broth does not have all the sodium that the varieties at the grocery stores do, so add as much as you need!
Tip: For a nice, clear chicken soup, use a cheese cloth when straining the liquid from the chicken bones
With its vast array of health benefits, bone broth is an easy and versatile addition to any diet. You can drink it on its own, use it as a base for soups and stews, or even incorporate it into cooking grains like rice or quinoa for added nutrients.
By making bone broth a regular part of your diet, you can nourish your body with essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins that support gut health, joint function, immune strength, hydration, and overall vitality.
Chicken Bone Broth
This nourishing homemade chicken bone broth is packed with gut-healing collagen, immune-boosting minerals, and rich flavor. Made with a leftover chicken carcass, vegetable scraps, and a splash of apple cider vinegar, this easy broth is perfect for sipping on its own or using as a base for soups and stews. Pressure cook it for a quick batch or let it slow cook for deeper flavor and maximum nutrients. A simple and wholesome staple for any kitchen!
Ingredients
- Enough chicken bones to fill your instant pot half way (a whole chicken carcass picked clean is perfect for this)
- Vegetable scraps
- 2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- Water
- Bay leaves (optional)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Add instant pot strainer into the pressure cooker.
- Put the chicken bones into the pressure cooker strainer basket.
- Add vegetables and scraps on top, filling to the max pressure cook line of the pressure cooker.
- Add water until the max pressure cook line.
- Run the pressure cooker on high pressure for 1 hour.
- Strain the broth and enjoy it as is or turn it into a gut-healing soup.
Notes
Add simple seasonings such as salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Remember that homemade chicken bone broth does not have all the sodium that the varieties at the grocery stores do, so add as much as you need!
For a nice, clear chicken soup, use a cheese cloth when straining the liquid from the chicken bones
