Easy Homemade Chicken Bone Broth in the Instant Pot

There’s something deeply nourishing and comforting about a warm cup of homemade chicken bone broth. It’s a staple in many kitchens for its rich flavor, versatility, and numerous health benefits. Whether you’re sipping it on a chilly day, using it as a base for soups, or incorporating it into your favorite recipes, bone broth is a must-have.

Making chicken bone broth at home might seem intimidating, but with an Instant Pot, it’s incredibly easy and quick. This recipe requires just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, resulting in a nutrient-dense broth that will elevate your cooking and help support your wellness journey.

Why Make Your Own Bone Broth?

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about why making your own bone broth is worth the effort:

1. Nutrient-Rich: Homemade bone broth is packed with collagen, amino acids, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which support joint health, gut health, and immune function.
2. Cost-Effective: Making your own bone broth is a great way to utilize leftover chicken bones that would otherwise go to waste. It’s a budget-friendly way to create a nutritious kitchen staple.
3. Flavorful: The rich, savory flavor of homemade bone broth can’t be matched by store-bought versions. Plus, you can customize it to your taste with herbs and spices.
4. Free from Additives: Store-bought broths often contain preservatives, excess sodium, and artificial flavors. When you make your own, you control exactly what goes into it.

Gathering Your Ingredients

To get started, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 2-3 pounds of chicken bones: You can use bones from a whole roasted chicken, chicken thighs, drumsticks, or even a mix of bones. The more connective tissue (like from joints and feet), the richer the broth will be.
• 2 carrots, chopped: Carrots add a touch of sweetness and a boost of vitamins A and C.
• 2 celery stalks, chopped: Celery brings a subtle bitterness that balances the broth and adds depth to the flavor.
• 1 onion, quartered: Onions are essential for adding a savory umami flavor to your broth.
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed: Garlic infuses the broth with its robust flavor and numerous health benefits, including immune support.
• 1-2 bay leaves: Bay leaves contribute a subtle earthiness that rounds out the flavors in the broth.
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar: This helps to extract the minerals from the bones, making your broth even more nutrient-dense.
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns: These add a gentle spice and complexity to the broth.
• 10-12 cups water: Enough to cover the bones and vegetables in the pot.
• Salt to taste: Start with a small amount, and adjust after cooking to your preference.
• Optional: Fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, rosemary): Fresh herbs can enhance the flavor and add more nutrients to your broth.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chicken Bone Broth in the Instant Pot

Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s move on to the process of making this delicious and nutritious bone broth.

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

To begin with, gather all your ingredients. Start by chopping the carrots and celery, quartering the onion, and smashing the garlic cloves. If you’re using fresh herbs, give them a quick rinse. This simple preparation step ensures that everything is ready to go once you start cooking.

Step 2: Roast the Bones (Optional)

If you want to enhance the flavor of your broth, consider roasting the bones before making the broth. Simply spread the bones out on a baking sheet and roast them in the oven at 400°F for about 20-30 minutes until they are nicely browned. This optional step adds depth and richness to the final product, but it’s not strictly necessary.

Step 3: Add Ingredients to the Instant Pot

Next, place the bones in the Instant Pot first, followed by the chopped vegetables, garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. Then, pour in the apple cider vinegar, which helps draw out minerals from the bones, and add enough water to cover the bones and vegetables, about 10-12 cups.

Step 4: Cook the Broth

Now, secure the lid on your Instant Pot, making sure the valve is set to the sealing position. Select the “Soup/Broth” setting or manually set it to cook on high pressure for 2 hours. While the broth cooks, you can go about your day—one of the many perks of using an Instant Pot!

Step 5: Natural Release and Strain

After the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure, which will take about 20-30 minutes. Once the pressure is fully released, carefully remove the lid. At this point, your kitchen will be filled with the savory aroma of homemade bone broth.

Use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain the broth into a large bowl, discarding the solids. If you prefer a clearer broth, strain it a second time through a finer sieve.

Step 6: Season and Store

Finally, taste your broth and add salt as needed. If you’re planning to use it for various recipes, consider keeping it lightly salted and adjusting the seasoning later based on each dish.

Allow the broth to cool before transferring it to airtight containers. For convenience, you can store the broth in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze it for several months.

Optional Step: Skim the Fat

If you prefer a leaner broth, you can skim the fat off the top after it has cooled in the refrigerator. The fat will solidify, making it easy to remove. However, the fat also contains nutrients and flavor, so consider leaving some in for richness.

How to Use Your Homemade Chicken Bone Broth

Now that you have a batch of homemade chicken bone broth, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few ideas on how to use it:

• Sip it as a nourishing drink: Warm up a mug of bone broth and enjoy it as a soothing, nutrient-packed beverage.
• Use it as a soup base: Chicken bone broth is the perfect foundation for soups and stews. Add your favorite vegetables, proteins, and grains for a hearty meal.
• Incorporate it into sauces and gravies: Use your broth to add depth and flavor to sauces, gravies, and reductions.
• Cook grains and legumes: Substitute water with bone broth when cooking rice, quinoa, or beans to infuse them with flavor.
• Freeze it for later: Pour broth into ice cube trays and freeze for easy portioning. These cubes can be used to add flavor to any dish.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, making homemade chicken bone broth in the Instant Pot is a straightforward process that yields a delicious and nutrient-rich broth. Not only is it a fantastic way to make the most of leftover chicken bones, but the flavor is far superior to anything you can buy in a store. Whether you’re sipping it for its health benefits or using it as a base for your favorite recipes, this homemade broth is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

Try this recipe for yourself and experience the difference that homemade bone broth can make in your cooking and wellness journey. Once you start making it, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought versions again. Enjoy the process, and happy cooking!