I’m sure by now you’ve heard all about the amazing benefits of eating bone broth like its magical ability to repair joints and muscles, improve hair, skin, the gut and the list goes on.
But for whatever reason, you haven’t made any yet.
If the recipes you’ve come across seem too complex, I got ya covered. This one is simple.
And if you think buying bone broth at the store is too expensive…I gotcha covered here too because this one won’t cost you a dime.
The best part about this recipe is that the result is a super gelatinous bone broth that tastes like Mom’s homemade chicken soup! Minus the vegetables and noodles of course.
Sure, if you’re making a broth for a soup or a base for a recipe then you may want to get fancy with it.
But if you’re squeezed on time, you gotta skip the fancy stuff and keep it to the bare necessities…bones, water and some sea salt. That’s it.
Ready to learn how?
Let’s do this.
Ingredients:
- Chicken Bones
- Water (filtered is ideal)
- Sea Salt (we use Pink Himilayan Sea Salt)
Tools you will need:
- CrockPot or InstantPot
- Ladle or measuring cup
- French Press or Fine Strainer and Bowl
- Jars (Ball Mason Jars are best)
Chicken Bone Broth Tools
Crock Pot Instructions:
Step 1: Put bones into the crock pot (about 1 lb.) before turning it on
Step 2: Fill crock pot with water – ideally filtered water (we use a Berkey to filter our water)
Step 3: Set the crock pot on high to bring to a boil
Step 4: Once the water begins to boil reduce heat down to low/medium for 6-12 hours.
Step 5: Once done, turn off and scoop out the bones with a spoon or ladle (slotted spoons work great) and toss the bones
Step 6: Scoop broth into a french press or use a fine strainer and a bowl to strain out all the tiny bits of meat.
Step 7: Strain and jar the broth
* If using a Coffee Press: press the broth and then pour into jars.
*If using Strainer: scoop strained broth into jars.
Step 8: Sprinkle about a ¼ teaspoon of salt into each jar and mix (this preserves the bone broth and makes it taste even better)
Step 9: Store jars in refrigerator (will be good for 3-4 days) or Freezer (will be good for up to 1 year)
Instant Pot Instructions
Step 1: Fill 3/4 of the instant pot with bones
Step 2: Add water to max fill line
Step 3: Seal the instant pot and use Pressure Cook function set for 4 hours
Step 4: When done cooking pour broth into strainer
Step 5: Strain meat and bones and then pour broth into mason jars
Ways To Eat Bone Broth
There are pretty much 2 ways people use Chicken Bone Broth:
- As a warm drink: This is how we use it most often and the quickest way to get some bone broth into the diet. Just pour or scoop some broth into a coffee mug and warm in the microwave. I like this best as a pre-bed drink because it helps me to sleep like a baby. See the below scientific explanation from Chris Kresser on why bone broth helps improve sleep.
For some people, bone broth helps improve both mood and sleep. Glycine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning it can:
Decrease anxiety
Promote mental calmness
Help with sleep (70)
One study found that three grams of glycine given to subjects before bedtime produced measurable improvements in sleep quality. (71)
2. As a stock or broth for soups: It’s much better to make your own stock or broth for soups as many store bought broths and soups have tons of junk in them like sugar and other ingredients that you probably don’t want in your body.
Frequently Asked Questions?
- Where do you get chicken bones?
Anytime you eat chicken with bones like roasted chicken, or chicken wings for example, don’t toss the bones!
Put them in a plastic bag or container and store them in your freezer. Then when you’ve built up about 1 lb. of bones, you’ll have enough for an awesome chicken bone broth.
*Note: In my experience, chicken wings produce the most gelatinous chicken bone broth but all bones produce a very gelatinous broth.
Since you probably aren’t in the habit of savings your chicken bones already, there are some places that sell them.
Check your local farmer’s market or health food stores if you’re excited and want to get right to making your first batch of chicken bone broth.
- Is it necessary to cook the bones for 12 hours?
It’s not completely necessary to cook the bones for 12 hours. Generally speaking, the longer you cook the bones, the more nutrients you will extract from the bones. I haven’t tested this out myself, but I believe you would get a very delicious and gelatinous chicken bone broth by cooking for as little as 6 hours. If you try this out, please let me know the results.