Are you looking for a simple way to create a deeply flavorful and nutritious chicken bone broth? Look no further! This Instant Pot recipe makes crafting this culinary gold incredibly easy, even for beginner cooks. Forget spending hours simmering on the stovetop; this quick dinner idea delivers rich, healthy bone broth in a fraction of the time. Perfect for boosting your immunity, adding depth to soups, or simply sipping on a chilly evening, this homemade cooking project is a winner. Let's get started!
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds chicken bones (backs, necks, wings, feet – you can even use leftover roasted chicken bones!)
- 8 cups filtered water
- 2 large carrots, roughly chopped
- 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional, helps extract minerals from the bones)
- Salt to taste (add after cooking)
Instructions:
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Prep the Bones: Rinse the chicken bones thoroughly under cold water. This removes any lingering impurities.
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Instant Pot Assembly: Add the bones, water, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, peppercorns, and bay leaf to your Instant Pot. Stir gently. If using, add the apple cider vinegar now.
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Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to "Sealing." Cook on high pressure for 90 minutes. For extra rich broth, you can increase this to 120 minutes.
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Natural Pressure Release: Allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 30 minutes. This allows the collagen to break down properly, resulting in a thicker, richer broth.
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Manual Pressure Release: After the natural pressure release, carefully turn the valve to "Venting" to release any remaining pressure.
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Strain the Broth: Carefully remove the lid. Using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, strain the broth into a large bowl or container, separating the solids from the liquid.
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Season and Store: Taste the broth and season with salt to your preference. Pour the broth into airtight containers and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage (up to 3 months).
Tips for the Best Chicken Bone Broth:
- Bone Variety: A mix of bones yields the richest flavor. Don't be afraid to experiment!
- Roasting the Bones (Optional): Roasting the bones before adding them to the Instant Pot adds a deeper, richer flavor to the broth. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for about 30-45 minutes until lightly browned.
- Don't Overcrowd: Avoid overcrowding the Instant Pot. If necessary, make two batches to ensure proper cooking.
- Adding Herbs and Spices: Feel free to customize your broth with additional herbs and spices like thyme, rosemary, parsley, or ginger.
Delicious Variations:
- Beef Bone Broth: Substitute beef bones for chicken bones to create a hearty beef bone broth.
- Vegetable Broth: Omit the chicken bones and use vegetable scraps (onion peels, carrot tops, etc.) for a delicious vegetarian broth.
Nutritional Information (per 1 cup serving, approximate):
- Calories: ~30-40
- Protein: ~2-3g
- Fat: ~1g
This easy recipe produces a truly delicious and healthy chicken bone broth, perfect for adding to soups, stews, or enjoying on its own. It’s a wonderful way to incorporate homemade cooking into your weekly routine, providing a nourishing and flavorful addition to your healthy meals. Enjoy!