Chicken bone broth can warm up any chilly day. Here’s how to make it and when to use it

Q: It is cold and gloomy outside. We need something to brighten our days. What do you recommend?

Nora S., Paso Robles

A: A favorite activity is preparing chicken bone broth. Make a stockpot or slow cooker full. Your kitchen will fill with a delicious, comforting aroma.

Containers of chicken bone broth tucked in the freezer is my secret treasure. Make as large a batch as you can safely store.

Broth can be heated for sipping with a dash of red pepper flakes and a squeeze of lemon to warm you.

It can be used to prepare soups, and stews, in place of water for rice and pastas. Use it to sauté vegetables instead of oil or butter. The broth can be used for many comforting dishes, including chicken and dumplings, tortilla soup, scalloped potatoes, rice pilaf or pasta.

Try making broth; you likely have the ingredients on hand. Keep a designated container in your freezer adding roasted bones and vegetable trimmings until you have enough for a recipe.

The following recipe was adapted from Natasha’s Kitchen’s 2019 stovetop method.

How to make Chicken bone broth

Place the chicken bones on a lined baking sheet and roast for about 20 minutes. If you’re using bones from a cooked chicken, you can skip roasting.

Place the bones and any rendered fat into a large stockpot. Add 4 quarts water, vinegar and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, skimming the fat off the top.

After 6 hours, add your vegetables. Simmer for 9 more hours.

Strain through a fine mesh sieve. Discard the solids and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, remove the solidified fat from the top of the broth. Transfer to freezer-safe containers, such as mason jars, making sure to leave some space to allow for the broth to expand as it freezes.

Use within 3 months.

This story was originally published February 17, 2023 at 4:00 AM with the headline "Chicken bone broth can warm up any chilly day. Here’s how to make it and when to use it."