Back in the 1950s mom never used canned broth, everything was made from scratch it was economical along with healthier as it had no preservatives in it.
Whatever chicken parts she found on sale, (sometimes even a whole chicken) was made into this easy broth then using that same chicken, she made other meals with it.
This is a simple process and with very basic instructions and comes out perfect everytime.
The real trick to perfect clear broth and tips are throughout this post.
The instructions will make enough to freeze in small 2 cups containers to use in future meals.
This perfect starter is also great for Grandma's Old Fashioned Chicken Soup, that's my personal favorite.
After making this once,you will never buy canned again and you will always have some on hand to use whenever needed.
Just scroll down to my printable recipe card for this easy broth recipe.
How To Make Perfectly Clear Chicken Broth
This is easy but for the best results, read my few tips and trick first below.
Chicken broth is so much richer homemade and adds delicious flavor whenever a recipe calls for this ingredient.
I leave all the seasonings out because you can add them for whatever recipe you're making another time.
You can even leave the salt out for a no-sodium broth.
The best part about making so much at a time is it's always there in a pinch and freezes perfectly.
This recipe card has instructions for stovetop, slow cooker, or instant pot methods.
Ingredients You Will Need:
scroll down to the printable recipe card for exact measurements
- chicken thighs, legs, wings, or a whole chicken
- water
- salt which can be left out for no sodium diets
Cooking methods:
- Slow Cooker: Add water and chicken, salt. Set to high for 6 hours removing the floating layer foam on top every hour until clear.
- Instant Pot: Place in a pressure cooker with water, chicken of choice, and salt refer to the manual for time, strain.
- For Stovetop: In a saucepan filled with water, chicken of choice, and salt, simmer skimming the top until clear broth.
Kitchen Tips:
- keep the skin on whatever chicken you use
- clean a whole chicken and remove the bag inside
- always removed the foam on top using a ladle into another bowl until water is clear, then throw it away
- salt the water to taste
- use the broth for stew, chili, sauces, soups, or whatever calls for chicken broth
- freeze in 2 cups containers to use for future uses in any recipe
- use the broth for the best chicken soup
- for flavored broth add celery, carrots, onions, and herbs
- use the chicken that's boiled for chicken salad, baked it with breadcrumbs, shred it for stews or chili
- for diet restrictions, this can be eaten without any other ingredients added
Alternative Additions
- Add turkey instead of chicken
- Add one whole onion for flavors
- Boil in herbs and spices you like
- Add salt substitute for low sodium
- Use root vegetables for additional flavors
- Boil necks gizzards in with the soups for richer broth strain using a fine mesh strained when completed
More Family Recipes:
Best Soup Recipe Roundup
25 Italian Best Recipes We Love
20 Beans Recipes We Love
15 One Pan Recipes
15 Easy Pasta Recipes
Pin for Later
Comfort Soups
As I mentioned before this soup can be made in several quarts, frozen for other uses and there are so many recipes that require chicken broth!
This broth is very comforting plain and just with an addition of cooked pasta or rice!
If you are on a clear broth diet, this is perfect for nursing a cold back to health.
It sure is a delightful addition to your recipe collection.
Yield: 8

Chicken Broth Recipe and Tips
Prep time: 3 MinCook time: 2 HourTotal time: 2 H & 3 M
This is how to make the perfect clear chicken broth, freeze it or use it in soups, stews, chili, and much more.
Ingredients
- 8 Chicken legs, 0r use thighs, wings ( you can also use a whole chicken with gizzards, livers, and neck)
- 5 to an 8-quart deep soup pot
- Water
- kosher salt to taste
- a deep soup ladle
- a dish for skimming off the top as it cooks (this is the scum on the top of the water as it's boiling)
- Mom would say "make sure once the chicken is boiling you need to take the scum off the top", this is what makes the soup clear. Today is just a clear clean broth. Sometimes we just need the broth for our recipes.
- You can freeze this in separate containers after your done.
- Use any parts of your chicken like thighs, legs, and wings in the soup as a starter or continue on to make a pot of soup.
Instructions
- Directions:
- If using a whole chicken, wash the whole chicken, rinse, and clean the inside of the chicken remove the bag inside also.
- Place in a pot of water filled 2/3 of water with insides of chicken removing the bag inside.
- Sprinkle salt over the top of the water evenly.
- Bring to a boil.
- While this is boiling, ladle off the foamy white scum that floats to the top continue removing until the broth boils clear and no more comes or floats to the top.
- Add more water if too much boiled away or was removed and continue simmering.
- Simmer for around 2 hours on very low or until chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Take out gizzards, necks, and hearts.
- Strain through a fine-mesh colander to ensure there are no bones in the soup.
- Cool completely and place in freezer containers.
- Freeze or use immediately.
- The broth freezes for up to 6 months.
- This broth can be used in sauces, stews, soups, or whatever else you need chicken broth for.
- Note: you can take the chicken off the bone and add this to your favorite soup recipe or use the chicken to make sauces, chili, soups, stew, or chicken salad.
Pin for Later
Try Some More Of Our Favorite Recipes
Grandma's Home Chicken Soup
Italian Minestrone
Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2011. It was edited and re-published in 2021.
I usually just buy broth in the box...but sometimes I make it...Never roasted the chicken after making broth though.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I LOVE your blog and recipes... this is the way my mother did it (and I forget a lot that she did) and you are there to remind me! I remember my mother skimming the "stuff" off the top. You bring back good memories (and remind us of good tips!) God bless...
ReplyDeleteBest,
Gloria
P.S. Your mother must be a great cook too, as my mother was!
Great tips!! Thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteyep, this is how we did it too but had an aunt who strained it through cheesecloth, so much more effort I think... never have roasted it after cooking either, now that is adding more flavor to the bird
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great tips! Homemade chicken broth is the best!
ReplyDeleteYum! I love making homemade broth and stock. I think it really makes a difference. Plus it's a great way to use everything...no waste!
ReplyDeleteYour mom was very wise. Love homemade chicken broth and love the multi-use - all that delicious chicken to be played with and then the broth for soups, stews and sauces. It's win-win.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! I love it when I read posts like this because sometimes people get so wrapped up in the big fancy recipes they forget about sharing the basics with us newbies :) thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI've always learned that when making stock (different from both) adding leeks helps clarify the liquid and help the impurities rise to the surface and make it easy to skim off the scum, haha. Homemade broth and stock is definitely a nice touch :)
ReplyDeleteGreat Tips!!!
ReplyDeletewow...I have never made chicken broth in home before....very nice tips dear...thanks for sharing !
ReplyDeleteClear broth is the best -- thanks for the hints. And double cooking this way must indeed double the flavor.
ReplyDeleteOh Claudia,
ReplyDeleteJust printed your recipe!!!
I have to try:) Barbara
Good chicken broth is a must! Oh, Claudia the chicken at the bottom that is being roasted ~ I just want to rip a piece off..looks so good. Blessings, Catherine xox
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing us how to make it! This is quick and easy. I usually use the carcass to make mine - it takes a lot longer than this!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! Very informative...I usually just used canned, but really want to try making my own. It's so worth it!
ReplyDeleteNice tips like a comment above said I usually buy it in a box
ReplyDeleteExcellent tip Claudia - sometimes you can't eat the whole chicken when you are making soup or broth! I will remember this one!
ReplyDeleteJust like my Dad taught me :) Great tips Claudia...
ReplyDeleteSorry I am so far behind, hope I am not exploding your comment feed :)
I need some of your yummy broth in my freezer...so much better than canned!
ReplyDeleteClaudia, I was raised to make home-made chicken broth too! There's nothing like it! I have a post on how I make 'brodo di pollo' and I'll have to see how similar our recipes are. I freeze mine too, do you?
ReplyDeleteGood on on the broth & chicken as well. I might use those roasted chicken for my pull apart burger. Yummmm....
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day, dear.
Blessings, Kristy
Hi Sweet Claudia, Thanks for sharing this freshly prepared Chicken Broth on Fresh Clean and Pure Friday/Seasonal Saturday. I've gotta try your recipe! Hope you can stop by again! Mwah, Roz
ReplyDeleteThese are great tips! I always want to make my own chicken broth but I'm yet to do it. This is a great guide and I love that you roasted the chicken afterward, that's brilliant!
ReplyDeleteWhat great tips! My broth turned out perfectly :)
ReplyDeleteI just love making my own homemade chicken broth! So much better than store bought. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so perfect!! I have never even thought of trying to make chicken broth, so I am going to have to give this a go. Bookmarking it for later, thank you so much for the recipe :)
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful tips! I love clear chicken broth and now I know how to make the most delicious chicken broth in easy steps! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHomemade broth is the best. Thank you for sharing the tips from your mom.
ReplyDeleteSo many great tips here, thanks so much - so important to use the whole bird.
ReplyDeleteYou can't beat homemade chicken broth. A great way to reduce food waste too.
ReplyDeleteHomemade chicken stock is always better, I don't know why I thought it was so complicated. This recipe is so easy. Going to try adding more root veggie next time.
ReplyDeleteI love all the tips how to make a perfect chicken broth. Trying it today with Instant Pot , can't wait to freeze some for later. Thank you for sharing these amazing tips.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great and I'm so excited to give this a try! Looks so delicious and yummy!
ReplyDelete