An easy chicken stock recipe that uses the convenience of a slow cooker. This homemade chicken stock is flavorful enough to drink on it’s own and mild enough to use as a base for a variety of meals!
One of my families favorite meals is a whole roast chicken. It’s so good that I make it EVERY SINGLE WEEK! Then, I use the bones and carcass to make a slow cooker chicken stock!
There really is nothing like homemade chicken stock! It’s easy to make, flavorful, and you know EVERYTHING that’s in it! Take a look at the ingredients listed on a box of chicken stock next time you’re grocery shopping…not good!
What are the health benefits of chicken stock?
Chicken stock is so good for you! It’s a low calorie drink that’s easy to digest and is rich in minerals.
I try to drink a cup of this homemade chicken stock every day to give my immune system a little boost and help heal my gut.
What’s the difference between chicken broth, bone broth, and chicken stock?
They’re all made in the same basic way; simmered in water with a mixture of veggies and seasonings. However, there are small differences!
Chicken Broth: Broth uses almost all meat and a minimal amount of bones, such as the bones in chicken thighs. The broth is simmered for about an hour or two, which is a relatively short amount of time when compared to bone broth or chicken stock.
Chicken Bone Broth: Basically ALL bones and just a tiny amount of meat (if any) is used to make bone broth. It’s simmered between 12 and 24 hours, with the main purpose being to extract gelatin and minerals from the bones and joints.
Chicken Stock: Stock is made using mostly bones with a small amount of meat attached, like the bones and carcass from a whole roasted chicken. It is simmered anywhere from 6 to 12 hours.
How to make slow cooker chicken stock
Place the carcass of a 5 to 6 pound roasted chicken into the slow cooker. Add carrots, celery, half an onion, a bay leaf, and a handful of peppercorns.
Fill the slow cooker with water until it covers the carcass and cover with a lid.
Set the slow cooker to low and allow to simmer anywhere from 6 to 12 hours. You can even leave it simmering for 24 hours to extract the most collagen and minerals from the bones!
Once the time is up, strain the stock through a mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
How to store Chicken stock
Keep the slow cooker chicken stock in an airtight container for 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator.
Freeze the stock in mason jars and store for up to 6 months. I typically freeze my chicken stock in 1/2 cup portions.
How to use chicken stock
Here are some easy recipes that use chicken stock!
- Hearty Mexican Chicken Soup
- Shepherd’s Pie with Mashed Cauliflower
- Roasted Red Pepper and Cauliflower Soup
If you’ve made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below!
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Slow Cooker Chicken Stock
Ingredients
- 1 whole roasted chicken carcass
- 2 large carrots, washed and halved
- 2 celery stalks, washed and halved
- 1/2 large Spanish onion
- 1 bay leaf
- 5 peppercorns
- 1 bunch parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients, except the parsley, in the slow cooker and fill with water until bones and vegetables are covered.
- Cover with a lid and set crock pot on low. Cook for 8 to 12 hours. Add the parsley to the stock during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Once cooled, strain the stock into containers and place in the fridge for up to a week or store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Notes
- The calories calculated in this recipe are an estimate.
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