Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth super simple, absolutely delicious, and a fantastic way to save money all while elevating your cooking game! With minimal ingredients and almost no prep time, there's no reason not to make it yourself!
Let's get started!
Jump to:
- Pull Up A Chair and Let's Chat!
- Food As Medicine
- Key Ingredients
- How to Use It
- Tips and Tricks
- Plan Ahead: Save Your Scraps
- Substitutions and Variations
- Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth Recipe
- How To Strain The Bone Broth
- Defatting the Broth
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Other Fantastic Recipes You'll Love
Pull Up A Chair and Let's Chat!
I am not sure I can adequately say enough good things about Chicken Bone Broth so this part of the post might take a minute. Why should you make it? Let me count thy reasons.
1. Instant Pot Chicken Bone broth is so easy to make and it only takes about an hour. Throw in the ingredients and turn on the pot.
2. Chicken bone broth tastes amazing. There is zero comparison to the stuff you buy at the store. Zero. It's a nonissue in my mind. I, especially when the weather cools off, love to sip on it. It's truly one of the most comforting flavors in the world.
3. The price point cannot be beat. Store bought bone broth is higher than high. I don't think I've ever been able to make myself buy it. If you make bone broth the way I'm going to outline below, you can do it for pennies. You've already bought and used the chicken, flavorings can be as simple as salt, pepper, and a little turmeric. It's pretty amazing.
4. You're utilizing every part of the animal. Before I get into the details of the recipe, I love making bone broth because we are using all parts of the animal. Nothing goes to waste. You are making the very most out of an animal and using the money you did spend very, very wisely.
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Food As Medicine
The health benefits of bone broth are absolutely incredible. It's full of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. A single serving can have upwards of 20 grams of protein. Here's a few more highlights:
- Can improve immune health and may help fight inflammation.
- Contains collagen, glucosamine, and chondroitin which are wonderful for bone health.
- Has glycine, which is an amino acid that can help with relaxation and anxiety. Chicken bone broth also contains magnesium, which can help reduce stress and regulate sleep.
- Bone broth is full of amino acids that can help fight gut ailments like inflammatory bowel disease and leaky gut syndrome. Overall gut health may be improved with drinking bone broth.
- Promotes healthy skin. I call it liquid botox, but that's just me.
- Bone broth is loaded with protein.
I could go on and on and on. The benefits are incredible. You gotta jump on the train. You won't regret it.
Key Ingredients
For the most basic of Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth, you will need very little. Here’s everything you’ll need to make it:
Bones, Skin, and a Bit of Leftover Meat From Roasted or Rotisserie Chickens - Save the scraps from your weekly chicken and keep them in the freezer.
Celtic Sea Salt - I like using a salt like this for all the lovely mineral content.
Whole Peppercorns - For basic flavoring and because it helps your body absorb the turmeric and curcumins better.
Turmeric - For color and for the powerful anti-inflammatory properties. You won't be able to taste it, but its so very good for you.
Water - You need just enough to go to the Max Fill line on the cooking bowl.
For more flavoring ideas and variations, keep scrolling!
How to Use It
I get this question a lot. People think that chicken bone broth is some strange ingredient that they can't use often. Wrong. It can be used in sooo many different things.
First and foremost, it's fantastic to drink. It's soothing and absolutely delicious. I love, love having a cup, especially in the cooler months of the years. Every single time I make a batch, my kids request a cup. It's delicious.
Also, cook with it! Anytime you have a recipe that calls for chicken broth or stock, use it. It's full of flavor and will give your recipes a protein bump!
Make homemade sauces (like my homemade red enchilada sauce) and gravies with it.
Cook pasta, rice, and other grains with it to add flavor and protein.
Tips and Tricks
Make sure the Instant Pot valve is set to “sealing" and that the silicone ring and all parts of the lid that touch it are dry. This is to make sure you achieve a proper seal and for your safety.
Do not add water that goes over the Max Fill line. That can cause issues with the Instant Pot cooking correctly.
If you manually release pressure or release residual pressure at any time, be very careful around the vent valve to avoid burning yourself.
During Thanksgiving and Christmas, save your turkey bones, too! They would be fantastic for bone broth!
If you have a smaller Instant Pot, cut this recipe in half. No worries, you cannot mess this up.
Keep extra bone broth in the freezer. It's an amazing feeling to go "shopping" in your freezer for an incredible, high-quality bone broth that cost less than a stick of gum to make.
Plan Ahead: Save Your Scraps
You don't need to run to the store specifically for this recipe. Start saving leftover chicken bones and carcasses. Keep them in the freezer in a zip top bag.
The same goes for vegetable trimmings. Things like onion scraps, celery leaves and root ends, mushroom stems, and even garlic skins are fantastic to keep in the freezer and add to this broth for added flavor! The same goes for leftover herbs!
Make this a habit and you'll always have everything you need to make an exceptional broth!
Substitutions and Variations
The recipe below is for the most basic of Chicken Bone Broth. This is what I will make when I am not sure what I'm going to be using it for. However, the sky is the limit on the add-ins and flavorings you can throw in the Instant Pot.
For an Asian-inspired broth, add scallions, ginger, garlic, onion, and some fresh cilantro. Star Anise is also a lovely addition for a pho-type broth.
For a more all-around, classic chicken soup base, add parsley, carrot, onion, garlic, and celery. This is a great one to clean out the veggies in the fridge.
Dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, dill pack a huge punch of flavor. Feel free to add what you like!
Feeling a Mexican-inspired soup? Add some of your favorite taco seasoning, onion, garlic, jalapeño, and some cilantro leaves.
Tomatoes can be added for a touch of acidity and depth of flavor that is lovely.
Like it spicy? Throw in some chilis or crush red pepper flakes.
Play with all of the herbs and spices and make this bone broth your own!
Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth Recipe
Equipment
- large pot or container to store the broth after straining
Ingredients
- chicken bones from 3 chickens I save mine from rotisserie and roasted chickens.
- 1-2 tablespoon Celtic sea salt
- 1 tablespoon whole peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- water
Instructions
- Add the chicken bones, salt, peppercorns, and turmeric to the pressure cooker bowl. Add water to the fill line. Cook on high pressure for 1 hour. You can either let the pressure release naturally or manually.
- Using either tongs or a spider strainer, remove the chicken pieces and toss them in the trash. At this point, they have done their job.
- Grab a large container and place another strainer on top of that. Lay a piece of cheesecloth on top of the strainer. Pour the bone broth, slowly and carefully, over the cheesecloth.
- I generally put the entire batch of broth in the fridge overnight before I store it in individual deli containers. It makes removing the fat and portioning it out much easier.
- After the broth chills in the fridge, a layer of fat will rise to the top of the broth (which will also be very jiggly at this point). Gently scoop off the fat cap and discard.
- Store in deli containers either in the fridge or freezer. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
How To Strain The Bone Broth
Once the broth has finished cooking, pull out any large pieces of bone and vegetables if you added some. Place a large fine mesh strainer over the top of a large container. Place a sheet of cheesecloth over the strainer.
Carefully pour or ladle the chicken broth over the cheesecloth allowing it to catch any excess pieces of meat, skin, bone, or veggie.
I use a large food container with a lid - it's something I also use as a brining container as well. If you don't have one, I recommend them!
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Buy Now → Defatting the Broth
I generally put the entire batch of my chicken bone broth in the fridge overnight in a larger food container before I store it in individual deli containers. This makes removing the fat layer on top much easier.
After the broth chills in the fridge, a layer of fat will rise to the top of the broth (which will also be very jiggly at this point). Gently skim the fat that has risen to the top and discard.
And, don't worry about the jiggly part, once you heat the broth just slightly, it will become liquid again. The jiggle is just all of the collagen and gelatin and healthy stuff you want!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store bone broth in deli containers in the fridge if you are going to use it within 3 days.
It will stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months in the same type container. Be mindful if you're freezing in glass jars. If they're filled too full, they can explode upon freezing.
Ice cube trays and even silicone muffin tins are great for freezing. Store the "ice cubes" in a zip top bag after they are completely frozen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to add apple cider vinegar?
Apple Cider Vinegar, in my opinion, is more for a beef bone broth. It helps to break down the bone to get all of the goodies from it. Because chicken bones are so much more delicate, I don't worry about it. I've never had any issue at all. However, add it if you like.
What parts of the leftover chicken do I add?
All of them. All the parts and all the bits and bobbles. Add the bones and the skin and the juices at the bottom of the rotisserie chicken container. You'll add everything for the flavor and health benefits. This big stuff will get removed at the end.
Is this recipe gluten and/or dairy-free?
Bone broth is both gluten and dairy-free! No worries!
Can you cook the bone broth too long?
You can. I don't recommend cooking for more than 2 hours in the Instant Pot as you can end up with a bitter broth. If you set the cook time to 1 hour, you won't have any issues. The bone broth itself can be kept on the keep warm mode for quiet awhile.
Why does it jiggle?!
All this means is that you did everything right! The collagen in the bones of the chicken transforms into gelatin during the cooking process. Gelatinous = excellent bone broth.
Can you do this in the slow cooker?
Yes! It will take much longer, but a slow cooker is an awesome way to make bone broth. Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and simmer on low for at least 24 hours and upwards of 36 if you want a good quality broth that is gelatinous.
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok!
Happy Cooking!
-Rufus
Other Fantastic Recipes You'll Love
Pastina - Classic Italian comfort food at its finest. It's quick and easy and just amazing. Known as "Italian Penicillin", it's good any time!
Herb Roasted Chicken - My go-to roasted chicken recipe. It's simple and perfect for an easy weeknight meal!
One-Pot Chicken and Rice - In about 30 minutes, you can have the most wonderful one-pot comfort food meal on the table. It's SO good!
And, if you're in the mood for more super simple recipes for the Instant Pot, you've come to the right spot! Try my Instant Pot Pot Roast, Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Orzo, or my Instant Pot Carnitas!
Amanda says
I can’t believe how easy this was! I’ll be doing this again very soon! Thank you!
Rufus says
Yesssss! It's the only way I make chicken bone broth now!
Sara Menix says
Fast and delicious!
Rufus says
I'm so glad you liked it!