Chicken Bone Broth Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• Chicken bones (from a roasted chicken or leftover chicken bones from any meal)
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 3-4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 large carrots, chopped
• 2 sticks celery, chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 1-2 sprigs of fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
• 1-2 sprigs of fresh parsley
• 1 tsp peppercorns
• Salt, to taste
• 8-10 cups water
• Optional: 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (helps extract minerals from the bones)

Optional Soup Add-ins:

• Cooked shredded chicken (if you have extra from the roasted chicken)
• Noodles or rice for a heartier soup
• Additional chopped vegetables like zucchini, potatoes, or spinach

Instructions:

1. Roast the bones (optional):
   If you want a deeper flavor, roast the chicken bones in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-30 minutes until golden brown. This step adds a rich, roasted flavor to the broth.
2. Prepare the broth:
   • In a large stockpot, place the chicken bones, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, bay leaf, thyme, parsley, peppercorns, and a pinch of salt.
   • Pour in the water, making sure the bones are fully submerged. Add the apple cider vinegar (if using).
3. Simmer the broth:
   • Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer.
   • Skim off any foam that rises to the top in the first 10-15 minutes.
   • Let the broth simmer uncovered for 4-6 hours (or even up to 12 hours if you want a rich, gelatinous broth). The longer it simmers, the more nutrients you’ll extract from the bones.
4. Strain the broth:
   • After simmering, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into another pot to remove the bones and vegetables.
   • Taste and adjust salt and seasoning as needed.
5. Turn it into soup (optional):
   • If you want to make this a full soup, return the strained broth to the heat and add any optional soup add-ins such as shredded chicken, noodles, rice, or extra vegetables.
   • Simmer until the add-ins are cooked through.
6. Serve and enjoy!
   • Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy the deep, comforting flavors of homemade bone broth.
   • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze the broth for later use.

This recipe is a great way to make the most of your chicken bones while creating a nourishing and delicious meal!