What Is Chicken broth and How Can I Use It?

Chicken broth rewards a little know-how: how to choose it, cook it, store it, and substitute in a pinch. Browse 2,864 recipes to cook with it.

What is chicken broth?

Chicken stock or chicken broth is a liquid  food preparation, typically consisting of either water or an already flavored stock, in which bones, meat, fish, cereal grains, or vegetables have been simmered. 

When it is necessary to clarify a broth (i.e. for a cleaner presentation), egg whites may be added during simmering – the egg whites will coagulate, trapping sediment and turbidity into a readily strainable mass.

Stock is a flavoured water preparation. It forms the basis of many dishes, particularly soups and sauces. Stock is made by simmering various ingredients in water, including some or all of the following

Meat

Leftover cooked meat, such as that remaining on poultry carcasses, is often used along with the bones of the bird or joint. Fresh meat makes a superior stock and cuts rich in connective tissue such as shin or shoulder of beef or veal are commonly recommended, either alone or added in lower proportions to the remains of cooked poultry to provide a richer and fresher-tasting stock. Quantities recommended are invariably in the ratio of 1 part fresh meat to 2 parts water. Pork is considered unsuitable for stock due to its greasiness (although 19th century recipes for consomme and traditional aspic invariably included slices of mild ham) and mutton was traditionally avoided due to the difficulty of avoiding the strong tallowy taint imparted from the fat.

Bones 

Veal, beef, and chicken bones are most commonly used. The flavour of the stock comes from the cartilage and connective tissue in the bones. Connective tissue has collagen in it, which gets converted into gelatin that thickens the liquid. Stock made from bones needs to be simmered for longer than stock made from meat. Pressure cooking methods shorten the time necessary to extract the flavour from the bones.

Mirepoix

A combination of onions, carrots, celery, and sometimes other vegetables. Often the less desirable parts of the vegetables (such as carrot skins and celery ends) are used since they will not be eaten.

Herbs and spices

The herbs and spices used depend on availability and local traditions. In classical cuisine, the use of a bouquet garni (or bundle of herbs) consisting of parsley, bay leaves, a sprig of thyme, and possibly other herbs, is common. This is often placed in a sachet to make it easier to remove once the stock is cooked.

Nutrition

Where found

Chicken broth is usually found in the canned goods section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group

Chicken broth is a member of the Soups, Sauces, and Gravies US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

How much does chicken broth weigh?

Related

Soups, Sauces, and Gravies

Recipes using chicken broth

There are 2864 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Augusta's Chilled Tomato Soup with Basil Cream

Augusta's Chilled Tomato Soup with Basil Cream recipe

Tortellini with Goat Cheese & Scallions

Learn to make homemade tortellini with creamy goat cheese and scallion filling, served in savory chicken broth. Simple sophistication in a bowl. This comforting dish features tender homemade tortellini filled with goat cheese and fresh scallions, served in a warm, flavorful chicken broth. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it combines delicate pasta with a rich, savory filling, finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan and scallions.

Cheese & Corn Chowder

This simple, creamy, comforting chowder combines tender potatoes, sweet corn kernels, and cheese in a lightly spiced milk-based broth. It’s a quick, hearty soup perfect for chilly days, ready in about 30 minutes and serving 4 as a main dish.

Daddy's Creamy Broccoli Soup

Rich, restaurant-style creamy broccoli soup with tender florets, buttery broth base, half-and-half, and sharp cheddar for stirring in at the table.

Hearty & Silky Broccoli Soup

Silky broccoli soup purees fresh broccoli with sauteed leeks, potatoes, and chicken broth, finished with half-and-half for a creamy, vivid green bowl. Bright and vegetable-forward.

Tomato & Orange Soup

Creamy tomato and orange soup with fresh tomatoes, orange juice, orange zest and a swirl of cream. A British-style soup that's bright, velvety and full of citrus warmth.

Chilled Tomato Carrot Soup

This chilled tomato carrot soup blends fresh tomatoes and sweet carrots with basil, thyme, and a whisper of nutmeg into a silky cold soup for hot summer days. Simmered, pureed, then served ice-cold with a splash of milk for creamy body.

Curried Pumpkin Soup

Curried pumpkin soup with sweet pumpkin puree, golden sauteed onions, warm curry powder, and a swirl of half-and-half. A silky, autumn-spiced soup garnished with pepitas or chives.

Turkey Scallopini & Squash Ravioli with Cranberry Brown Butter

Turkey Scallopini and Squash Ravioli with Cranberry Brown Butter recipe

Spiced Sweet Carrot Soup

Chilled carrot soup blended with orange juice, fresh nutmeg and chicken broth. A bright, low-calorie warm-weather starter served cold with an orange slice and mint. Six ingredients, blender-easy.

Prairiehare's French Onion Soup

A very simple recipe for a classic, which helps you to get warm in the winter (ok, I mean when it is getting 4° Celsius in the night in Southern California). The number of servings is accurate when you have it as a meal - as a starter it should serve way more people. I did not list any spices, as I usually have self made chicken broth which is already pretty tasty and spicy, sweetness comes from the onions and the white wine balances it. For bread and cheese - don't think about any fancy, old dry bread is good and any cheese which melts. The onions are king when it comes to taste. Ovenproof crock bowls are very nice for final preparation and serving the soup.

Cheesy Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms

A cheesy and scrumptious side dish that goes perfect with mashed potatoes or any pasta dish.

Yummy Avgolemono (rice soup)

Avgolemono is the classic Greek lemon-egg rice soup, a silky chicken broth thickened with whisked eggs and fresh lemon juice. Light, restorative, and ready in 35 minutes.

Fresh Tomato Soup Ala Terri

Fresh tomato soup with a bouquet garni of parsley, bay leaf, celery, thyme, and marjoram, pureed smooth with caramelized onion and a butter roux. Topped with sour cream and fresh dill.

Prosciutto & Green Pea Risotto

Creamy prosciutto and green pea risotto finished with Parmesan, fresh basil, and a splash of cream. Salty cured ham and sweet peas make this Italian rice dish rich and satisfying.

Hazelnut Squash Soup

Creamy winter squash soup with finely chopped hazelnuts, onions, and a splash of sherry. The nuts add nutty body without any dairy thickener. A simple autumn first course.

Curried Squash Soup

Curried squash soup blends butternut squash with curry powder, cumin, garlic and chicken broth for a velvety low-fat fall starter. Naturally gluten-free, freezer-friendly, ready in under an hour.

Aunt Ann's Creamy Potato Soup

Aunt Ann's creamy potato soup: waxy potatoes simmered with leek, onion, and celery in herb-scented broth, then finished with cream. Part of the soup gets mashed for a thick, rustic body. Pure comfort.

Creamed Tomato Soup

Creamy tomato soup made from scratch with ten ripe tomatoes, onion, thyme, and basil, blended silky and finished with cream, milk, and a swirl of butter. A rich, homemade bowl made for grilled cheese.

Buttery Broccoli Soup

Buttery broccoli soup simmers chopped broccoli with sauteed onions, chicken broth, and rich evaporated milk for a creamy 6-ingredient soup. Puree for smooth, leave chunky for rustic.

Avocado Gazpacho Soup

Cold avocado gazpacho soup with cucumber, cilantro, lime, and a splash of hot sauce. Mexican-style chilled summer soup, no cooking required.

Yummy Bacon-Topped Cheese Soup

Yummy bacon-topped cheese soup is a microwave-friendly cheddar soup loaded with bacon, celery, carrot, onion, and green bell pepper, finished with crisp bacon on top.

Tom's Onion & Potato Soup

Onion and potato soup built on sweet butter-cooked white onions, shredded potato, garlic, and prosciutto, finished with grated Romano. A rustic Italian-style soup ready inside an hour.

Delicious Beer Soup with Cheese

Beer cheese soup with carrots, celery, and a warm spice blend of cumin, nutmeg, and cloves. Sour cream stirred in at the finish, melting cheese on top. Lighter and more aromatic than classic beer cheese.

Delicious Cream of Pumpkin Soup

Cream of pumpkin soup with coriander, curry powder, and a finishing drizzle of walnut oil. Smooth, golden, and ready in an hour using fresh or canned pumpkin.

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