Easy Homemade Rotisserie Chicken Stock Recipe

Making your own rotisserie chicken stock at home is one of those simple joys that can really up your cooking game without too much hassle. Plus, it’s a great way to use leftover rotisserie chicken bones, making good use of waste and turning it into a tasty base for soups, stews, or sauces.

Two mason jars of Rotisserie Chicken stocks.

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This easy homemade chicken broth recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when you want to whip up something hearty and flavorful. With just a few ingredients and a little patience, you’ll have a pot of stock simmering away, filling your kitchen with delicious aromas you don’t get with store-bought stock and make everyone wonder what’s for dinner.

If you are looking for more ways to flavor your chicken, I have a few more delicious recipes you might want to try. For one, you can make a simple fajita seasoning perfect for chicken. You can also make a homemade Mediterranean herb seasoning blend for chicken, pasta, or pizzas.

Still in the mood for more chicken? Why not make some Southwestern chicken soup for a hearty lunch option?

Table of Contents

Why This Recipe Works

Time-Saving: This easy recipe utilizes leftover rotisserie chicken bones, making it quick to create your own stock without starting from scratch.
Versatile Base: The stock enhances the flavor of various dishes, such as soups, stews, risottos, and sauces.
Healthier Option: Homemade stock allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring no preservatives or excess sodium, often found in grocery store versions.
Aromatic Experience: Simmering the stock fills your kitchen with enticing aromas, making cooking more inviting and enjoyable.

What’s in This Rotisserie Chicken Stock Recipe?

Ingredients for Rotisserie Chicken Stock.

Rotisserie Chicken Carcass: The leftover bones from a whole chicken are packed with flavor and nutrients, making them the perfect base for a rich stock. Roasted chicken leftovers impart a deep, savory taste, and cooking them extracts collagen, giving your stock a wonderful mouthfeel.
Water: An essential ingredient, water forms the base of your stock. Its quality can greatly affect the final taste, so it is recommended to use filtered or spring water for a cleaner, fresher flavor.
Celery Stalks: Celery adds a subtle depth of flavor to the stock and contributes essential nutrients. It also brings a natural sweetness that balances the chicken’s richness, enhancing the stock’s overall taste.
Large Carrots: Carrots introduce a hint of sweetness and earthiness to the stock while enriching it with vitamins and minerals. Their vibrant color beautifies the stock and adds to its nutritional value.
Whole Peppercorns: Whole peppercorns provide a warm, spicy note to your stock without overpowering it. They infuse the broth with a gentle heat, and using whole rather than ground pepper helps prevent sediment from settling at the bottom.
Bay Leaves: Bay leaves are known for their aromatic qualities and contribute a subtle herbal flavor to the stock. They not only enhance the taste but also have traditional medicinal qualities that can aid digestion.

The complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.

A glass container of Rotisserie Chicken Stock sitting on a white countertop.

Substitutions and Additions

Chicken: No leftover rotisserie chicken carcass? No worries! To create a rich beef or turkey stock, you can easily substitute it with leftover turkey bones, meat, or even a hearty beef bone.
Vegetable Variations: Feel free to swap out celery and carrots for aromatics like onion, leeks, or parsnips. These can add distinct flavors that enhance your stock.
Herbs: For additional depth, fresh herbs such as fresh thyme, parsley, or rosemary can be included. To remove them after cooking, simply tie them together with kitchen twine.
Other Vegetables: You can also toss in other leftover vegetable scraps like mushrooms or garlic, which contribute unique flavors and nutrients to your stock.
Acid: Adding a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice can help extract more nutrients from the chicken bones and enhance the overall flavor.
Spice Alternatives: For a different flavour profile, you can use allspice or crushed red pepper instead of whole peppercorns, though adjust quantities according to your desired spice level.

How to Make Homemade Chicken Stock (step-by-step directions)

Collage of creating Rotisserie Chicken Stock.

Combine leftover chicken bones, celery, carrots, peppercorns, and bay leaf in cold water in a large stock pot. (Photos 1 & 2)
Gentle simmer for 2 hours or until approximately half of the liquid has evaporated.
Carefully remove the larger pieces of leftover carcass from the stock (tongs can be helpful, as it will be hot) and strain the remaining liquid to achieve a smooth stock.

Rotisserie Chicken Stock in an air tight container.

Recipe Tips

Add vegetables: If you want to boost the flavor of your stock, consider crushing ingredients like carrots halfway through the cooking time. It’s not essential for a delicious stock but can enhance the taste.
Season carefully: Feel free to add salt and pepper to your liking, but I prefer to omit the salt since I use my stock in other recipes. It’s all about your personal preference!
Strain it: Don’t hesitate to strain the stock multiple times for a smoother final product. A fine mesh strainer can be excellent for this kind of job.
Enhancing Flavours: For an extra layer of flavor, consider roasting the leftover chicken bones and vegetables before adding them to the pot. This step caramelizes the ingredients, producing a richer, more complex flavor.
Batch Cooking: If you frequently use chicken stock, consider making a larger batch. This way, you’ll always have homemade stock ready to elevate your dishes.
Fat Skimming: After refrigeration, you may notice a layer of fat solidified on top of your stock. Skimming this off can produce a cleaner, lighter flavor, though it can be retained for added richness in certain recipes.
Monitoring Liquid Levels: Monitor the stock during simmering to prevent excessive evaporation. If it looks too thick, add water to achieve your desired consistency.

Storing Tips

Once your homemade chicken stock has cooled, proper storage is essential to maintain its flavor and freshness. Refrigerate your stock by transferring it to airtight containers, ensuring you leave some space at the top as the liquid may expand when frozen. Leftover rotisserie chicken stock can be refrigerated for up to four days.

Frozing is an excellent option for later use. Pour the stock into a freezer bag or airtight container suitable for freezing, leaving a little room for expansion. You can also consider portioning it into ice cube trays, which make it easy to thaw small amounts for recipes as needed.

When ready to use the frozen stock, transfer it to the refrigerator to thaw overnight or place the desired amount in a saucepan over low heat until fully warmed. Ensure the stock is heated thoroughly before consumption to enjoy its rich flavor and nutritional benefits.

Rotisserie Chicken Stocks in a mason jar.

Serving Suggestions

The homemade chicken stock serves as a versatile base for various dishes, enhancing flavor and nutrition. Use it as a foundation for soup recipes and stews, where it can deepen the overall taste profile. It can also be a key ingredient in risotto or grain dishes, adding a richness that complements the grains.

For sauces and gravies, homemade stock enriches the layering of flavors and contributes to a velvety texture of dishes like chicken and gravy. Additionally, you can use it to deglaze pans after cooking meats for an elevated sauce that brings out the essence of the ingredients.

Beyond traditional cooking, consider using chicken stock to moisten and flavor dishes like casseroles or even roast vegetables, imparting a delightful depth of taste.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make chicken stock in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can easily make chicken stock in a slow cooker or crock pot! Simply add all your ingredients to the slow cooker, cover with water, and set it on low for 8-10 hours. This method allows for a deep, concentrated flavor to develop without constant monitoring.

How can I tell if my chicken stock has gone bad?

Chicken stock can spoil if not stored properly. Signs that your homemade broth has gone bad include a sour smell, off-color, or visible mold. If in doubt, it’s best to err on caution and discard it.

How long can chicken stock be stored in the freezer?

Homemade chicken stock can be stored in the freezer for up to six months. Just be sure to use airtight containers or freezer bags, and label them with the date to keep track of freshness.

Can I use bones multiple times for stock?

While you can reuse bones to make stock, the resulting flavor may be lighter with each subsequent batch. It’s best to use bones for at least one main batch and consider mixing in fresh bones or meat for added richness in later stocks.

Need More Broth and Soup Recipes? Try These:

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Two air tight containers with Rotisserie Chicken Stock.

5 from 1 vote