Chicken Stock

I understand that most people are going to reach for a can of chicken stock on a weeknight (and yes, let’s be honest, even on a weekend). But I am hoping that one weekend, when you have a little time on your hands, you’ll plan ahead and pick up some chicken wings and the appropriate vegetables at the supermarket, and make a batch of the homemade stuff. The flavor is superior, and because it is made with chicken and bones, it contains gelatin, which contributes body to any recipe you put it in. I have tried boiling down several brands of canned stock to see what happens. If they had actually been made from bones, the liquid would eventually become very viscous. Instead, I can boil the broth down until it disappears, and poof, there is nothing left in the pan. My theory is that they simmered water and chicken fat to come up with the flavor in canned stock and then removed the fat. I don’t know how else they got chicken flavor in there. I like to use chicken wings because they have equal parts of chicken (flavor), bones (gelatin), and fat in the form of skin (more flavor)—more of all three put together than any other part of the chicken. You will be very happy to have it on hand. We refer to it as liquid gold. This stock will keep for three days in the refrigerator or a few months in the freezer.

NotesTotal preparation time: 3½ hours

Preparation Time10 min

Preparation Time - Text10 minutes

Cooking Methodslow cooking

CostModerate

Total Timehalf-day

Make Ahead RecipeYes

One Pot MealYes

Taste and Textureherby, savory

Type of Dishstock