Chicken Stock

Chicken stock, or chicken broth, is a basic of the kitchen in many cuisines. Homemade is always best, but stock from scratch can be reasonably substituted with low-sodium canned broth. Avoid bouillon cubes or granules if at all possible. They are very high in sodium and have only a whisper of the flavor of homemade. The recipe here is for a basic European-style chicken stock. See the variations for different versions from around the world.

Makes about 2 quarts

• Chicken bones -- 3-4 pounds
• Water, cold or room temperature -- 3 quarts
• Onions, peeled and chopped -- 2
• Carrots, peeled and chopped -- 2
• Celery, chopped -- 2 stalks
• Parsley -- 1/2 bunch
• Fresh or dried thyme -- 2 tablespoons or 2 teaspoons
• Bay leaf -- 1 or 2
• Peppercorns -- 8 to 10
• Salt -- to taste

Method

1. Place bones in a deep stockpot and add cold water to cover. Place the pot over medium flame and bring to a boil. As soon as water begins to boil, reduce heat to low and simmer slowly for 2 to 5 hours. Do not stir, and skim the scum and excess fat from top of the simmering stock periodically.
2. After 2 to 5 hours, add the vegetables, herbs, peppercorns and salt, pressing the vegetables down into the pot. Do not stir them in. Simmer for 1 more hour.
3. Remove the stock from the stovetop and strain through a fine-meshed strainer or several layers of moistened cheesecloth into another large pot or container. Set in the refrigerator and chill completely.
4. Scrape the chilled fat off the top of the stock and discard. Use the chicken stock in recipes or transfer into storage containers and freeze for later use.

Variations

• Chicken Broth: Chicken stock is technically made with just the chicken's bones. A stock made with mostly meat or with meat only is called a broth. Chicken broth has little of the body of a stock but it has much more flavor. Broth is especially good as a base for soups. Use the meat leftover from making broth in soups or other dishes.
• Chinese Chicken Stock: eliminate the onions, carrots, celery and herbs. Substitute 5-8 whole scallions, 3-6 cloves of garlic and a couple thick slices of fresh ginger.
• Indian Chicken Stock: eliminate the carrots, celery and herbs. Substitute 3-6 cloves of garlic, a couple thick slices of fresh ginger, 1/2 bunch of cilantro and 1-2 teaspoons of cumin seeds.
• Thai Chicken Stock: eliminate the onions, carrots, celery and herbs. Substitute 5-8 whole scallions, 1 stalk of lemongrass and a couple thick slices of fresh galangal or ginger.
• Mexican Chicken Stock: eliminate the thyme. Add some fresh or dried oregano and 3-6 cloves of garlic. Add a cob of corn, with or without its kernels, for extra flavor.
• Brown Chicken Stock: The recipe above is for white chicken stock and has a pale golden color. To make brown chicken stock, roast the chicken bones first in a 400°F oven for 15-20 minutes to develop their flavor and color.
• Turkey, Duck or Game Stock: Make turkey stock or duck stock with the same recipe using the appropriate type of bones. Especially popular around the winter holidays. Game birds also make good stock.
• Other vegetables that can be added to a chicken stock for flavor are turnips, leeks, peppers, parsnips. Stocks are also a great way to use up the scraps and peels of vegetables (onion skins, carrot peels, etc.). But be careful not to add too many vegetables to a stock. The taste of the poultry should be primary, with the vegetables playing only a supporting role.

Notes

• Main Rules for How to Make a Good, Clear Chicken Stock:
  • Start with cold water.
  • Cook at the slowest possible simmer.
  • Do not stir the stock while it is simmering.
  • Skim the stock regularly to remove any scum.
  • Do not cover the pot.
  • Strain the stock with the finest mesh strainer possible. It is best to line the strainer with a couple layers of moistened cheesecloth.
  • Bones add body. Meat adds flavor.
• Storage: Chicken stock may be stored refrigerated for 3-4 days. It can be kept longer if it is brought to a boil every 3 days to kill any bacteria. Stock will keep for a few months if frozen. Freeze as ice cubes and then place in a plastic bag for easy portioning.
• Stocks get their body from the collagen holding the bones together. The collagen melts with slow simmering and turns into gelatin. That is why a good stock congeals with refrigeration.
• Fresh bones with some meat still on them are best. But leftover bones from a chicken dinner can also be used to make excellent stock.
• Adding giblets--necks, gizzards, hearts--to a stock will increase its flavor. But do not use the liver as its flavor will overwhelm the broth.
• To give extra body to your stock, use a few chicken feet if you can find them. Chinese markets often sell them very cheap.
• If you are using bones that have been frozen, blanch them first. To do this cover them with cold water, bring the water to a quick boil, and then throw this water out. Proceed with the recipe starting with fresh water. This procedure removes a large amount of scum that could otherwise cloud your stock.