Chicken Bone Broth

Bone Broth

There is nothing more satisfying than a warm cup of bone broth. It's one of the few things allowed when you're fasting along with water, tea and coffee. Bone broth takes time to make, but with this easy crockpot recipe, the hands on time is minimal and the results are incredible.

Bone broth is a healthy choice if for a meal replacement. It's good for you if you don't feel well. It's kind of like chicken soup for the soul without all the stuff....it's just broth. A broth with an immunity-boosting kick, if you will.

INGREDIENTS:

1 Whole Chicken or 3 to 4 pounds of Leg Quarters

2 Tbls. Olive Oil or Butter

Salt, Pepper and your favorite assortment of herbs and spices

1 Tbls. Apple Cider Vinegar

DIRECTIONS:

Rinse and pat dry your chicken. If you use a whole chicken and it has a package containing the liver, gizzard and neck set them aside. You'll be using them later.

Once your chicken is dry you can stuff fresh herbs in the cavity and under the skin. I used fresh rosemary, oregano and French thyme. If you don't have fresh herbs it's okay. Drizzle the olive oil on the chicken and rub all over the chicken. Next liberally sprinkle your chicken with your favorite spices. If you want a Mexican flavor you can use ground cumin, smoked paprika and a dash of hot sauce. If you want an Italian flavor you can use oregano, parsley, marjoram, and garlic powder. Just use whatever herbs and spices you like. There are no rules here, just be sure to really coat your chicken. Place your chicken in your crockpot and cover. Set it on low for 2.5 hours. Do not add water to the crockpot. The chicken will slow cook in its own juices. Check your chicken after 2.5 hours with a meat thermometer, it should register at least 165 degrees in the thickest part of the breast or thigh.

After the chicken is done. Remove it from the crockpot and remove the meat from the bones as soon as it's cool enough to handle then go enjoy a nice chicken dinner. Once all the usable meat has been removed add all the bones, skin, liver, gizzard, neck and such back to the crockpot. Leave all the liquid in the crockpot from the chicken. This is your base for your bone broth.

Fill the crockpot with water and add the vinegar. The vinegar helps leech the minerals out of the bones and you won't be able to taste the vinegar so please don't skip this step. If you don't have apple cider vinegar use any vinegar you have on hand.

Add more herbs and spices if you like. I always add a couple of bay leaves because I like that earthy flavor that they add. Cover and set your crockpot on low for 24 hours. If you can not set it for 24 hours, just set it for as long as you can and set it again when the time runs out until you finally have 24 hours.

After 24 hours strain your beautiful broth through cheesecloth or a linen dishtowel. Save the solids for now. Put your broth in containers with lids and store in the refrigerator. I have a 4 quart crockpot and ended up with just under 4 quarts of bone broth. You can freeze your bone broth if you do not think you will drink it all in 2 or 3 days.

Finally, take all the solid leftovers and put them in your blender. The bones should just crumble under your finger. Add a little bone broth and blend into a slurry. This makes a nice addition to your pets food. Just mix a little in with the kibble or wet food and let them enjoy a special treat. Store your pet food in a container in the refrigerator up to 3 days. You can also put your slurry into ice cube trays and freeze it. Pop the frozen pupsicles into freezer bags and remove one or two as needed. Let them thaw or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds to thaw them before mixing in your pets food. They love this as a special treat. Since we do pet rescue this only lasts one or two days but the dogs really enjoy it and so do the kitties. 

Remember to spay and neuter your pets and save a life.