Quick Chicken Broth in an Instant Pot – Tasty and Easy!

If there is ONE thing you can save money on in your kitchen with very little effort, it is Chicken Broth or Veggie Broth…either one. Learning how to make instant pot chicken stock is the easiest thing you could possibly make at home. Then if you have an Instant Pot it is EVEN easier! So I put the recipe into a post for you!

Why you should be making broth at home:

• Save waste
• You can save money
• Don’t get any added chemicals into your food from linings of cans or boxes.
• You control ingredients, sodium intake, and the source of the food itself

Many people ask how making your own chicken broth is more affordable…so once again let me break this down for you.

Let’s say you purchase a whole Organic Locally sourced from a small farm chicken…It comes to about $24. That is the average of what I pay for one chicken. Seems like a lot, right? Let me show you how it works.

Does Making Your Own Chicken Broth Save You Money?

Here is the cost break down for our local chicken and how it plays out in saving us money.

• Cook the whole 5-7lb chicken in the instant pot = 2 meals or so for a family of 4.

• Save bones, skin, and so on and make broth…a 6 quart bought of broth will make about 10-12 cups of broth, which = about 2-3 soup meals or cooking liquid for grains for other meals that week.

• Save bones and run one more time with a dash of vinegar and you get another 8-10 cups of bone which = another 2ish meals.

That said, we have taken one $24 chicken and made between 5-7 meals. If you purchased broth you pay roughly $3-$5 with an unknown source for the meat per 4 cups of broth from the store…

• So in a grocery store….18 cups of broth = $22.50 roughly or $1.25.

• A whole chicken making the broth with the chicken costing $24 and you minus say even $10 for the 2 meals you get for the meat itself it is about $.50 per cup of broth you get.

Granted it isn’t huge but if you start adding up that additional $.50-$.75 per cup of broth over a years time…you probably will have saved about $100 at the end of the year. $100 added to a good savings account each year can go a long ways towards a nice retirement account. Ha.

Needless to say it is nice to just make something yourself and know all the ingredients that went it to it and that the animal you eating was handled well, treated with care, and that they grazed in local lands which gives you immunities to your environment as well.

But I know you just want the recipe so here you go!

Equipments Needed To Make Instant Pot Chicken Stock

Instant Pot – Duo Evo Plus 6 quart or something comparable

Mesh Collander

Knife

Cutting Board

Large Bowl

Funnel

Ladle

Jars or containers to store the broth in either the freezer or fridge

What are the Ingredients for Instant Pot Chicken Stock

Bones from 1 Whole Chicken

2 Carrots peeled and rough chopped

1 whole onion quartered

2 Garlic Cloves

2 Celery stalks

5-6 quarts of water (filled to the fill line on your Instant Pot)

Salt and pepper to taste

Any fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, bay leaf, sage

How to make Instant Pot Chicken Stock – Steps to follow

1. Place all the ingredients into the pot of your Instant Pot. The chicken can still be cold from the fridge. This isn’t the issue.

2. Fill the pot with water up to the fill line of your Instant Pot

3. Place on lid and lock. Make sure your tab is in the seal position.

4. Set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 45 minutes with a natural release for 10 minutes or just plan to allow the pressure to naturally release on your pot.

5. Once the Instant pot is done pressurizing, cooking, and naturally releasing (a total of about an hour) release any additional pressure and then allow it to cool some.

6. Once cool enough place the colander into the bowl and pour the broth through the colander catching all the liquid into the bowl. Allow to further cool and then ladle or place into jars or containers for storage.

7. If you plan to freeze, allow to fully cool on the counter and then place in the fridge for a little while. Once chilled, place in the freezer.

Optional Additions and Variations

There are many different additions and variations that you can use to customize your instant pot chicken broth to your liking. Here are a few ideas:

• Herbs and spices: You can add any combination of herbs and spices to your broth, such as bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, sage, parsley, or black peppercorns. Experiment with different flavors to find your favorite.

• Vegetables: In addition to the basic onion, celery, and carrots, you can add other vegetables such as leeks, garlic, fennel, or mushrooms. These will add depth of flavor and nutrients to your broth.

• Ginger and turmeric: Adding fresh ginger and turmeric to your broth can provide an immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory effect.

• Lemon or lime juice: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice can add brightness and acidity to your broth.

• Soy sauce or miso paste: These ingredients can add a savory, umami flavor to your broth.

• Apple cider vinegar: Adding a splash of apple cider vinegar to your broth can help extract more nutrients from the bones.

• Wine or sherry: Adding a splash of wine or sherry can add complexity and depth of flavor to your broth.

Remember, you can constantly adjust the amount of these ingredients to suit your taste preferences. Also, be sure to strain out any solids before storing your broth.

FAQs

What is the difference between chicken stock and chicken broth?

The terms “chicken stock” and “chicken broth” are often used interchangeably, but there are some subtle differences between the two.

Chicken stock is typically made by simmering chicken bones and vegetables (such as onions, carrots, and celery) for a more extended period, usually several hours or more. The result is a liquid that is rich in flavor and nutrients, as well as gelatin, which is extracted from the bones and gives the stock a thicker, more viscous texture. Chicken stock is often used as a base for soups, stews, and sauces.

Chicken broth, on the other hand, is made by simmering chicken meat (rather than bones) and vegetables for a shorter period, usually less than an hour. The resulting liquid is lighter in color and flavor than chicken stock and does not contain gelatin. Chicken broth is often used as a light and flavorful base for soups and other dishes.

How do you thicken chicken broth?

There are a few different ways to thicken the chicken broth, depending on your preferences and the recipe you are using. Here are a few options:

• Reduce the broth: One way to thicken chicken broth is to simmer it for a longer time to reduce the liquid and concentrate the flavors. This will also make the broth thicker and more concentrated. However, be careful not to reduce it too much, as it can become too salty or overpowering.

• Roux: A roux is a mixture of equal parts flour and fat (such as butter) that is used to thicken sauces and soups. To use a roux to thicken the chicken broth, melt some butter in a saucepan, whisk in an equal amount of flour, and cook for a few minutes until it turns a light golden color. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until it thickens to the desired consistency.

• Cornstarch slurry: Another way to thicken chicken broth is to make a cornstarch slurry. Mix equal parts cornstarch and cold water until it forms a smooth paste. Slowly whisk the slurry into the simmering chicken broth, constantly stirring, until it thickens to the desired consistency.

• Egg yolks: In some recipes, egg yolks can be used to thicken the chicken broth. Beat some egg yolks in a bowl and slowly whisk in some of the hot broth, stirring constantly. Then gradually add the egg mixture back into the pot of simmering broth, constantly stirring, until it thickens and becomes creamy.

Remember to adjust the seasoning as needed after thickening your chicken broth, as the flavors can become more concentrated.

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Wrap Up…

Making broth is extremely simple. If you care to keep the bones for one more time through, you can place them back in the pot and do Bone Broth with them. I will explain that in another post, but know that this is an option if you want to keep the bones for bone broth as well.

If you enjoyed instant pot chicken stock recipe here are a few others that may interest you:

• Pantry Staple: Sourdough Crackers
• Pantry Staple: Granola
• 3 Quick Pickle Recipes

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