Ina Garten's Chicken Stock (2024)

The first time I saw Ina Garten make chicken stock, I was happily surprised because it was exactly how my mom made it. Watching her on that day, I could feel the smell of chicken simmering on the stove for hours.

I think we can all agree that homemade chicken stock is superior to any brand you buy at the grocery store. Packed with fresh ingredients (like vegetables and herbs) and whole chicken, it provides a nice balance of flavor. Plus, you can make it work with whatever vegetables you have on hand.

I love to use it as the base for Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Soup, Crockpot Chicken Tomatillo Soup, Chicken Wild Rice Soup, and so much more!

Why You Should Make This Recipe

I like to think of homemade stock as liquid gold. I love it because it’s:

1. Taste and quality are far better than anything you will buy in a box.
2. Easy to prepare and can simmer on the stove while you’re meal prepping for the week.
3. A two-for-one recipe since you can use the leftover chicken and save the scraps, too!
4. It can be made with whatever vegetables (or scraps) you have on hand. Take the below recipe for chicken stock as a place to start and adjust it according to what you have in your fridge. More on that below.

Ingredient Notes + Substitutions:

The ingredient list includes medium carrots, celery stalks (with leaves), parsnips (optional), large yellow onions, a whole head of garlic, kosher salt, fresh thyme, fresh parsley, fresh dill, whole peppercorns, roasting chickens, and cold water.

Below are a few helpful notes, including a few substitutions:

• Whole Chicken vs. Chicken Pieces: In her recipe, Ina Garten uses three 5-pound roasting chickens (aka whole chickens) and cooks them in a 16 to 20-quart stockpot (such as this Le Creuset Stock Pot (affiliate link)). If you do not own a stock pot that big, use the largest pot you own. If you do so, use one large (or two smaller) roasting chickens instead. You can also use 7-10 pieces of chicken parts if you prefer.
• Chicken to water ratio: Ina uses 7 quarts of water for three whole chickens. If your stock pot is smaller, I recommend covering the chicken and veggies with water by at least 1-2 inches.
• Do I have to peel vegetables when making chicken stock? No need to peel anything. Like my mom, Ina washes all the veggies under cold tap water, cuts them into large pieces, and adds them to the stockpot. The peels are good for the stock and leave many good things behind, like more flavor, color, and vitamins.
• Spices & Seasoning: Ina uses a combination of black and white peppercorns in terms of spices. She also suggests seasoning the liquid well with 2 tablespoons of Diamond kosher salt (affiliate link).
• Vegetables: While Ina uses carrots, celery, onions, parsnips, and garlic, you can use other vegetables as well. If I have them on hand, I also like to add mushrooms, leeks, shallots, red onion, and one or two bay leaves.

How to Make Chicken Stock from Scratch?

Barefoot Contessa’s chicken stock recipe takes about four hours to make. I like to make it on days when I will be hanging about the house or getting my meal prep together for the week. Simply:

1. Place all ingredients in a large pot. (I used a Dutch oven but if you do not have one, use the biggest one you have on hand).
2. Add water and bring it to a boil.

3. Turn it down to medium-low heat and simmer it uncovered for 4 hours. Remove the surface fat with a spoon as necessary.

4. Strain the entire contents of the pot in batches through a fine-mesh strainer.
5. Pack the liquid in airtight containers and refrigerate for a week or freeze up to 4 months.

Helpful Tips On Straining:

Admittedly, the straining part is my least favorite part of making my own chicken stock. If you feel the same way, here are a few ways to make it easier:

1. Use a large glass bowl (or a measuring bowl) with an easy pour spout: This makes it so much easier to pour the hot chicken stock into containers later on.
2. Put your ladle to use: Remember, the whole thing is still very hot, so it is easier to use a ladle to move the contents of the pot into the container fitted with the strainer.
3. Be sure to leave room for expansion in the freezer: As you pour the chicken stock into the airtight containers (I like these 1 quart deli containers), be sure to leave an inch of space at the top for expansion in the freezer.

How to Store & Freeze

• Storage Instructions: Let the chicken stock cool down and then place in the fridge. They will last for 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing Instructions: I let them sit in the refrigerator overnight before moving them into the freezer. Once frozen, they should be good for up to 6 months.
• Thawing Instructions: To thaw, place the frozen chicken stock in the fridge the night before. If short on time, the chicken stock can also be thawed in a large bowl of cool water on the kitchen counter.

What to do with the solids/leftovers?

In her recipe, Barefoot Contessa suggests discarding the solids, including the chicken and vegetables. This is the part where I disagree with her.

I can’t get myself to throw away all that cooked chicken and vegetables. Having worked in hotel kitchens in my previous life, I follow in the footsteps of some of the restaurant chefs I worked with and re-use them.

The leftover chicken carcass and vegetables are perfectly okay to use once more to make even more stock when needed. To do so, simply:

1. Remove the cooked chicken meat from the bones, shred it into small pieces, freeze or use it in any one of the following recipes (keep reading!).
2. Take the cooked chicken bones and leftover veggies, place them in a large plastic freezer bag, label, date and freeze for up to 3 months.
3. When ready to use, no need to thaw! Use frozen and make it a part of your next batch of chicken stock. I usually combine it with more raw chicken and veggies to make it super rich and tasty.

5 Ways To Use Chicken Stock In Recipes:

1. Use it as a base in homemade soups and stews. Or in any recipe that calls for liquid (as I used in my Chicken Stroganoff recipe)
2. Cook grains like wild rice and quinoa in chicken stock (instead of water) to make them even more flavorful.
3. Keep it on hand to use as braising liquid when cooking vegetables and meats.
4. Substitute chicken stock in place of wine if you prefer not to use alcohol in your cooking.
5. Combine it with milk to make bechamel sauce (or roux).

Recipe Ideas:

Now that you are left with some delicious chicken stock and some shredded chicken, here are some chicken recipe ideas to use them in:

• Turkish Pilaf with Chicken
• Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt
• Sesame Chicken Salad recipe
• Southwest Avocado Chicken Salad
• Low-Calorie White Chicken Chili
• Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Tips for Success:

• Season well. Ina uses two tablespoons of Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt (affiliate link) to bring out the chicken, vegetable, and herb flavor. I also like to give it a taste once it is cooked. It should taste properly seasoned. If not, stir in ½ teaspoon more and taste again.
• Cool to room temperature first. Strain and pour into individual containers, slightly cover and cool for a few hours or until it is no longer warm. Chill the stock overnight in the fridge before placing it in the freezer on the next day.
• Scrape off the fat, if desired. As it is simmering on the stovetop, you might notice a layer of fat at the top of your chicken stock. If you prefer to get rid of the fat, use a spoon to scrape it off.

FAQs

Equipment Used:

While you don’t need any special equipment to make Ina Garten’s chicken broth, here are a few equipment suggestions that might make your life easier. Please be advised that these are affiliate links:

• 20 quart Stock Pot
• Glass Bowl (or a measuring cup) with an easy pour spout
• Fine Mesh strainer
• Freezer friendly plastic deli containers or if you prefer glass, these Weck jars are ideal for freezing.

This recipe has been adapted from Ina Garten’s, Modern Comfort Cookbook (affiliate link).

This homemade chicken stock recipe was originally published on May 2013. It has been updated with new photos, information, and recipe in on May 2021.