Rustic Chicken Bone Broth
🐔 From the Coop to the Kitchen: Homemade Chicken Bone Broth
There’s something deeply comforting about a simmering pot of bone broth on the stove — the rich aroma, the quiet reminder that nothing from your flock goes to waste. Here at Rocky Pastures Ranch, we believe in honoring every part of the animal we raise. When we process our pasture-raised chickens, the bones don’t get tossed — they’re turned into nourishing, golden bone broth that warms the body and soul.
Rustic Chicken Bone Broth
Because we raise our chickens pasture-based, free from hormones and antibiotics, this broth carries the character of the land and the care we put into our birds. But please remember: this is home-made bone broth. Handle it safely — pressure can it or cool it promptly, refrigerate, or freeze.
If you make your own batch from your Rocky Pastures Chicken, tag us or share your results! There’s something special about sipping something made with intention and respect for every part of the flock.
Here’s to good health — from our farm to your table. 🐔🍲
Ingredients
- chicken carcass, broken into pieces
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 6 - 8 cups water (or enough to cover bones by ~2 inches)
- 4 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp salt
- ½ Tbsp ground black pepper
- Chopped carrots, celery, & other spices (optional)
Instructions
1. Simmer. Add carcass into a large, heavy stock pot. Add onion and enough water to cover the bones by about 2 inches.
2. Stir in apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper (carrots, celery, spices, etc) . Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a medium-low simmer. Partially cover the pot so steam can escape.
3. Cook low & slow. Let it simmer 4–5 hours, stirring occasionally. Skim off any foam. You can also use your pressure cooker - pressure cook on high for 1 - 1 ½ hours.
4. Strain & cool. Remove from heat. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean container. If you'd like to pressure can it for a shelf stable option, we recommend using the Presto Digital Pressure Canner! You will add your hot broth to hot jars here. If you're not canning your broth - let it cool slightly, then chill in the refrigerator.
5. Store. If not canning - use within 5 days or freeze in portions for later.
Notes
- Try adding herbs (thyme, parsley) or vegetables (celery, carrots) in the simmer, if you like.
- Use the broth as a base in soups, pour a cup warm with a sprinkle of salt, or cook grains in it for extra depth.
- Freeze in ice cube trays or jars so you can grab small amounts when needed.
- Can in Pint size jars too! - perfect for those sick days when you want some broth but don't want to open a quart size jar!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 48Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 1260mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 4g
Whether you sip it straight from a mug, use it as a base for soups, or cook your rice in it for an extra boost of flavor, this recipe is a simple way to make the most of your Rocky Pastures chicken.
If you choose to can your broth, you’ll want to pressure can it! We highly recommend this Presto Digital Canner! No more babysitting the pressure gauge. We have the smaller version and will be upgrading soon. Read all about here.
Start with the Best: Choosing Quality Chicken Carcasses
We highly recommend our Rocky Pastures Ranch chicken carcasses for a rich, nutritious start in recipes like bone broth. If you’re not local, here are a few key questions to ask your poultry farmer or processor to ensure you’re getting high-quality, healthy birds:
- Are the chickens fed a non-GMO, corn & soy-free diet?
- Are they pasture-raised, with access to fresh, unsprayed grass and daily sunshine?
- Are they antibiotic- and vaccine-free?
Starting with quality ingredients makes all the difference — for flavor, nutrition, and peace of mind.
