Overnight Slow Cooker Chicken Stock
I love to make homemade chicken stock and I have for years and years. I think it is nothing like your store bought and it really is easy to make. So after watching The Chew and hearing Clinton Kelly always talk about making Overnight Slow Cooker Chicken Stock I decided one evening to give it a whirl. I thought he had such a great idea to put it on overnight and in the morning you just strain, package and freeze. You then have gorgeous homemade chicken stock at the ready for all your soups, sauces and dishes.
Look at the gorgeous colour of this chicken stock with all natural and healthy ingredients, you know it will taste fantastic. Plus you control the amount of salt that also goes into it. I used rottiserie chicken bones for this stock, so it was even easier to make. After a simple dinner I threw the bones into the slow cooker, along with other ingredients I literally had hanging around. If you don’t have a leek, don’t fret add more onion, a peeled purple onion does well too. I give them a wash but don’t remove the skins on the yellow and white onions. I slice one in half and stud it with cloves. I throw in old, tired parsley or other herbs that have seen a better day. Have a few shallots or whole heads of garlic, everyone is welcome into the pool. Celery, carrots can join the crowd to but after washing, don’t peel the carrots or remove the greens on the celery. Just cut them in half and throw them on in. With a few more additions you will have the most gorgeous of chicken stocks and your home will be filled with an amazing aroma from the broth cooking.
The cost of chicken stock can be very outrageous considering you can easily make this at home with leftover veggies that are hanging around and a store bought rotisserie chicken carcass. Easy, peasy and delightfully good!
Here is a good general recipe for a chicken stock that I have made for years. Don’t have all the ingredients? Don’t sweat it. Have sweet onion instead of yellow, dried herbs instead of fresh, crushed jarred garlic instead of a whole head, don’t worry, through it in as you will be straining it all in the end. Other additions like a parsnip can be a welcome ingredient to. Let the recipe become your own. ENJOY!!
- 1 chicken carcass
- 3 whole carrots, washed and unpeeled
- 1 large yellow onion, washed and unpeeled
- 6-8 cloves
- 2 white onions, unpeeled
- 1 red onion, peeled
- 2 shallots, unpeeled
- 1 whole head of garlic, unpeeled
- 3 stalks of celery, washed and cut in half
- 3 bay leaves
- 3 sprigs of fresh thyme tied together
- 15-20 black peppercorns
- Large bunch of parsley
- Water to fill
- Place carcass in the slow cooker. Add in the carrots. Slice the yellow onion in half and stud the onion on the cut side with the cloves. Add in the white onion, red onioin, shallots, whole head of garlic, celery, bay leaves, thyme, peppercorns and parsley. Fill the slow cooker to desired level usually more than ¾ full.
- Set on low and cook overnight for at least 8 hours. Let cool enough to work with, strain and package in desired amounts. I usually do 2 cups, 1 cup and ½ cup containers and then freeze.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
That’s beautiful. I always put mine on the stove top and simmer forever. I love how easy your method is and the resulting stock is gorgeous.
Tara Noland says
Thanks Maureen, don’t think I will do it any other way, so easy!!
peter @feedyoursoultoo says
Wow. Such a good idea. Nothing like homemade. We all gain so much inspiration from one another and when we see stuff done on TV.
Kavey {KaveyEats.com} says
We do exactly the same and love it. Wake up feeling hungry to that smell, don’t you?
Tara Noland says
Starts your day off right!!
John Torsok says
Kavey, ladle a little of the stock out in morning to flavor your breakfast grits. Don’t add butter as the stock will have good chicken fat (schmaltz) .
Tara Noland says
Now you are talking John!!
Debra @ Bowl Me Over says
LOVE making my own stock and using the slow cooker, brilliant! Makes all the difference in the world. Very nice!
Camilla says
What a brilliant idea, must try this next time I have a chicken carcass:-)
Justyna says
There is nothing like the home made stock and this one is an absolute genius! Let’s be honest, we can always distinguish the flavour of the cubed from the real stock. I really love your idea and will be using it from now on.
Thanks for sharing!
x
Tara Noland says
Big difference from the store bought stock too, love homemade! Thanks so much and enjoy!!
Debra Poore says
I usually make stock in a regular pot simmering a few hours. I have two whole chickens in the freezer now (bought them on sale). I was planning to make chicken & dumplings and now I know what I will be doing with all of the bones! It will take several days to thaw in the fridge, but we should be enjoying the fruits of my efforts next week!
Tara Noland says
Love, love, love homemade stock/soup. Mmmmmm, dumplings!!
Ali says
How much does this make? Can’t wait to try it!
Tara Noland says
It all depends on the size of your slow cooker and how much water you add. I fill mine to about 7/8 capacity.
Tina says
Was wondering if the butcher might have chicken carcasses. We usually buy our chicken already boned. Any ideas?
Tara Noland says
Hmmm, you could ask I guess. I know they have beef bones for sale.
Tiffany says
I have raw frozen chicken quarters worth bone in and skin on. Would i as this straight to the slow cooker with all the veggies? Wouldn’t this cause cross contamination?
Tara Noland says
I would thaw them first before putting them in the slow cooker. Just pop them into the microwave to defrost. They won’t cauce contamination but they will take many many additional hours to cook.
Therese says
I am making this right NOW!! Can’t wait to try it in the morning. I heard the collagen from the bones is REALLY good for you!! Especially when you’re a little under the weather. That’s why homemade is best!!! Cuz Momma loves you….
Tara Noland says
Awesome, I love making homemade chicken stock and have done it for years and years!!