Slow Cooker Chicken Bone Broth

Stop throwing your chicken bones away and put them to good use! Follow these easy steps to create your very own nutrient packed Chicken Bone Broth.

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The first time I made chicken bone broth, it was with chicken feet. Yep, I said feet. I went all in and it was well worth the ridicule from family and friends! Since I don’t live on a farm or near one, those sweet chicken feet packages are not always readily available. I had to find a more reasonable way to make homemade bone broth, which led me to the recipe below. Adaptable from any type of chicken bone, I typically make this recipe after making my homemade wings.

What Is Bone Broth?

Bone broths are a traditional food that have been enjoyed throughout history. Known as a superfood in some cultures, bone broth is loaded with protein, collagen, vitamins and trace minerals that we typically don’t get through a Standard American Diet. Chicken and beef are the most common types of bone broth but veal and fish make good options too. Chicken bone broth is what the name indicates- a liquid broth made primarily of chicken bones. Bones combine with vegetables and herbs for flavor then slow simmer in water on the stovetop over a long period of time to extract nutrients.

Leaving my gas stove on for an entire day makes me nervous with little ones running around so my preferred method to make bone broth is to use the slow cooker. It’s easy to clean up and a fun way to pull the kids into the kitchen to practice those important scooping skills. I have found that my kids are more likely to try an “odd” recipe if they’ve helped prepare it themselves. “Chicken Bone Broth” doesn’t sound very appealing to kids but prepping it and smelling it all day will make them take a curious sip. Spoiler alert: my daughter always asks for a fresh cup when it’s done!

Benefits of Bone Broth

Improves gut health. The naturally occurring proteins found in bone broth are soothing and nourishing to the mucosal lining of the digestive tract.

Aids in digestion. Bone broth may ease symptoms of diarrhea and constipation by calming gut inflammation, thus allowing foods to be more easily digested.

Boosts immunity. There’s a lot of talk lately of how much of our immune system lives in our gut. By improving our gut health with bone broth, our immune system naturally perks up as well!

Promotes healthy bones + joints. Boron, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, protein, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, as well as vitamins A, B, C, D and K are necessary for healthy bone formation. Collagen and gelatin are important proteins to support joint health. Most (if not all) of these nutrients can be found in bone broth.

Improves skin. Collagen found in bone broth can improve the appearance of skin and decrease cellulite.

Aids in weight maintanence. Full of protein, bone broth can help you feel fuller for longer, decreasing cravings and snacking throughout the day.

It’s kid friendly. The nutrients in bone broth are gentle enough to be easily digested by kids, too! Kids can reap all the above benefits by incorporating bone broths into their diet.

How to Cook Bone Broth in Slow Cooker

Fill slow cooker with solid ingredients

Add chicken bones, carcass, skin and scraps (make sure you have joints!) to the slow cooker. Toss in a halved onion, carrot, celery and peppercorns. You don’t need an exact measurement of bones, just leave a few inches of space from the top of the slow cooker. You don’t want to over pack it.

Add liquids

Pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar over the solid ingredients. Add enough filtered water to cover the bones, leaving 2-3 inches of space from the top of the slow cooker. Cover with lid.

Set on high for ONE HOUR

Switch slow cooker to LOW FOR 6-8 HOURS

We want to build up the heat but let it simmer. In order for chicken bone broth to become gelatinous it needs to simmer at 180°F. This will maximize the nutrients in the finished broth.

Remove large pieces

After the broth has fully cooked, use a slotted spoon to scoop and discard the bones and vegetables. I line several plastic grocery bags with paper towels to keep the liquid from leaking out of my garbage bag.

Strain

For a clear broth, line a wire strainer with a tea towel or flour sack cloth and place over a large bowl. Carefully ladle the broth through the cloth and strainer. Gather the edges of the cloth and press liquid against the strainer to squeeze it through if necessary.

Store in glass container and refrigerate

Bone broth will keep nicely in the refrigerator for about 5 days.

How to Know Bone Broth Cooked Appropriately

You’ll know the temperature was just right when you pull the broth from the fridge and see a jell-o like consistency under the layer of fat. That “jell-o” is the essential gelatin! This is what you want to maximize the nutritional value of your broth. It will melt into a smooth liquid once reheated.

How to Use

1. Warm it up and sip! When I need something warm and comforting but don’t want to have more coffee, I reach for the bone broth. It’s also very soothing to drink when feeling ill.
2. Soups– This should be a no brainer but I will mention it. Store bought broths can easily be replaced with homemade! I have a chicken and rice soup on repeat year round just so I can use our homemade broth more often.
3. Sauces– Any sauce calling for broth can use homemade bone broth. I find bone broth to work exceptionally well in homemade alfredo sauces.

Variations of Chicken Bone Broth

Herbs can be added to the slow cooker for extra flavor. Try adding a bay leaf or combine rosemary and lemon!

Adding turmeric can boost anti-inflammatory benefits in chicken bone broth. Freshly cracked black pepper will help with absorption.

FAQ

How do I save enough bones to make a broth? I put bones in a gallon size freezer bag and store in the freezer until I have enough for a broth. I typically use 1 to 1 1/2 gallon bags worth of bones/scraps. Veggie scraps can be saved the same way!

Can I use bone broth as a substitute for chicken stock? Yes!

What if I don’t have filtered water? That’s okay! You can boil tap water and let it cool off before using in the recipe.

Do I have to use a cloth to strain? No. But please note without straining through a cloth, the broth will contain gritty bits at the bottom of your container.

How do I clean the cloth after straining? Dump the bits into the trashcan, rinse in the sink and wash as normal.

Should the fat be skimmed before using? If I plan to drink the bone broth, I partially skim the fat. Too much fat upsets my stomach. If I plan to use the bone broth in soups, I keep all the fat for additional flavor and nutrients. Try it both ways and listen to your body!

Can I freeze bone broth? Sure can! Leave plenty of space for expansion.

Equipment Needed

• Slow Cooker
• Slotted Spoon
• Cloth for Straining
• Wire Strainer
• Large Bowl
• Glass Container for Storing

Sharing is caring! If you choose to give this slow cooker chicken bone broth recipe a try and love it, please come back and give it 5 stars! You can also tag me on Instagram @crimsonstonehome

I am not a doctor or nutritionist. Consult your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns regarding the consumption of bone broth.