Instant Pot Chicken Stock & Bone Broth: The Ultimate Guide to Flavor and Health

Chicken stock and bone broth are culinary staples with a rich history, celebrated for their depth of flavor and potential health benefits. Traditionally simmered for hours on the stovetop, the Instant Pot has revolutionized the process, making it faster, more convenient, and equally delicious. This comprehensive guide will walk you through creating both chicken stock and bone broth in your Instant Pot, covering everything from ingredient selection to troubleshooting. Get ready to elevate your cooking and nourish your body with these liquid gold recipes!

What’s the Difference Between Chicken Stock and Bone Broth?

While often used interchangeably, chicken stock and bone broth have distinct characteristics:

* **Chicken Stock:** Primarily made with chicken meat and bones, along with vegetables and aromatics, and simmered for a shorter time (2-4 hours traditionally, significantly less in the Instant Pot). Stock tends to have a lighter flavor and a thinner consistency due to the shorter cooking time which results in less collagen being extracted.
* **Bone Broth:** Made predominantly with bones (often roasted beforehand), simmered for a much longer time (8-24 hours traditionally, still significantly less in the Instant Pot), and may include a splash of vinegar to help draw out minerals and collagen from the bones. Bone broth is typically richer in flavor, has a more gelatinous consistency when chilled due to the higher collagen content, and boasts a greater concentration of nutrients.

In essence, bone broth is a more concentrated and collagen-rich version of chicken stock. While the recipes are similar, the extended cooking time and focus on bones distinguish them. Using the Instant Pot reduces traditional cooking times dramatically for both.

Why Make Chicken Stock & Bone Broth in an Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot offers several advantages over traditional stovetop methods:

* **Speed:** Reduces cooking time from hours to under two hours for stock, and cuts bone broth cooking time in half or more. What used to be an all-day affair can now be accomplished in a fraction of the time.
* **Convenience:** The Instant Pot is a hands-off appliance. Simply add the ingredients, set the timer, and let it do its work. No need to constantly monitor the simmering pot.
* **Flavor:** The pressure cooking process extracts flavors more efficiently, resulting in a rich, deeply flavorful stock or broth.
* **Nutrient Extraction:** Pressure cooking aids in the breakdown of bones and connective tissues, releasing more collagen, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients into the broth.
* **Safety:** Eliminates the risk of accidentally boiling away all the liquid in a stovetop pot.
* **Less Odor:** While you will still have a noticeable aroma, the sealed Instant Pot contains the odors better than stovetop simmering, preventing them from permeating your entire home.

Ingredients for Instant Pot Chicken Stock & Bone Broth

The beauty of chicken stock and bone broth lies in their simplicity and adaptability. Here’s a breakdown of the essential ingredients:

* **Chicken Carcass/Bones:** This is the foundation. Use leftover roasted chicken carcasses, raw chicken backs, necks, or wings. For bone broth, roasted bones are preferred for a deeper flavor.
* **Vegetables:** A classic mirepoix (onion, carrots, and celery) adds depth and sweetness. You can also add vegetable scraps like carrot peels, onion skins (for color and flavor, but use sparingly as they can make the broth bitter), and celery ends. Avoid cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage) as they can overpower the flavor and become bitter during prolonged pressure cooking.
* **Aromatics:** Herbs and spices enhance the complexity of the broth. Bay leaves, peppercorns, parsley stems, and thyme are excellent choices. A few cloves of garlic are also welcome.
* **Acid (Optional for Bone Broth):** A splash of apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, or lemon juice helps to draw minerals from the bones. Use approximately 1-2 tablespoons for a 6-quart Instant Pot.
* **Water:** Filtered water is best for optimal flavor. The amount of water will vary depending on the size of your Instant Pot, but ensure the ingredients are mostly submerged.
* **Salt:** Add salt at the end of the cooking process, to taste. Adding salt at the beginning can hinder the collagen extraction.

**Ingredient Quality Matters**

* **Organic Bones:** Using organic bones is ideal, as it minimizes exposure to hormones and antibiotics. However, if organic is not available, use the highest quality bones you can find.
* **Fresh Vegetables:** Fresh vegetables will contribute the best flavor to your stock or broth. Don’t be afraid to use slightly wilted vegetables, but avoid using anything that is moldy or overly spoiled.
* **Filtered Water:** Filtered water ensures a clean and pure flavor in your finished product.

Instant Pot Chicken Stock Recipe

This recipe is designed for a 6-quart Instant Pot. Adjust quantities accordingly for larger or smaller models.

**Yields:** Approximately 6-8 cups
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 1 hour 30 minutes (including time to come to pressure and natural pressure release)

**Ingredients:**

* 1 leftover chicken carcass (from a 3-4 pound chicken), or 2-3 pounds raw chicken backs, necks, or wings
* 1 large onion, roughly chopped
* 2 carrots, roughly chopped
* 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
* 2 bay leaves
* 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
* 4 sprigs fresh parsley
* 2 cloves garlic, smashed
* 8 cups filtered water (or more, to cover the ingredients)
* Salt, to taste

**Equipment:**

* 6-quart Instant Pot
* Fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth
* Large bowl or pot for straining
* Storage containers (jars or airtight containers)

**Instructions:**

1. **Prep the Ingredients:** Roughly chop the onion, carrots, and celery. Smash the garlic cloves.
2. **Add Ingredients to the Instant Pot:** Place the chicken carcass or chicken pieces in the Instant Pot. Add the onion, carrots, celery, bay leaves, peppercorns, parsley, and garlic. Pour in the filtered water, ensuring the ingredients are mostly submerged. Don’t overfill past the maximum fill line.
3. **Pressure Cook:** Secure the lid of the Instant Pot and ensure the steam release valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting and set the cooking time to 25 minutes on HIGH pressure.
4. **Natural Pressure Release:** Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld further. After 30 minutes, you can manually release any remaining pressure by carefully turning the steam release valve to the “Venting” position. Be cautious of the escaping steam.
5. **Strain the Stock:** Carefully remove the inner pot from the Instant Pot. Place a fine-mesh strainer (or a strainer lined with cheesecloth) over a large bowl or pot. Pour the contents of the inner pot through the strainer to separate the solids from the liquid. Discard the solids (bones and vegetables).
6. **Season and Store:** Taste the stock and add salt to taste. Allow the stock to cool completely before transferring it to storage containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth Recipe

This recipe is also designed for a 6-quart Instant Pot. Adjust quantities accordingly for larger or smaller models. Roasting the bones first adds a significant depth of flavor.

**Yields:** Approximately 6-8 cups
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 2 hours 30 minutes (including roasting bones, time to come to pressure and natural pressure release)

**Ingredients:**

* 3-4 pounds chicken bones (raw or cooked, preferably roasted)
* 1 large onion, roughly chopped
* 2 carrots, roughly chopped
* 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
* 2 bay leaves
* 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
* 4 sprigs fresh parsley
* 2 cloves garlic, smashed
* 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar, or lemon juice)
* 8 cups filtered water (or more, to cover the ingredients)
* Salt, to taste

**Equipment:**

* Baking sheet
* 6-quart Instant Pot
* Fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth
* Large bowl or pot for straining
* Storage containers (jars or airtight containers)

**Instructions:**

1. **Roast the Bones (Optional but Recommended):** Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the chicken bones on a baking sheet in a single layer. Roast for 30-45 minutes, or until the bones are nicely browned. This step enhances the flavor of the bone broth.
2. **Prep the Ingredients:** Roughly chop the onion, carrots, and celery. Smash the garlic cloves.
3. **Add Ingredients to the Instant Pot:** Place the roasted chicken bones in the Instant Pot. Add the onion, carrots, celery, bay leaves, peppercorns, parsley, garlic, and apple cider vinegar. Pour in the filtered water, ensuring the ingredients are mostly submerged. Don’t overfill past the maximum fill line.
4. **Pressure Cook:** Secure the lid of the Instant Pot and ensure the steam release valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting and set the cooking time to 120 minutes (2 hours) on HIGH pressure.
5. **Natural Pressure Release:** Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure completely (or for at least 1 hour). This allows for maximum collagen extraction. After the natural pressure release, manually release any remaining pressure if necessary.
6. **Strain the Broth:** Carefully remove the inner pot from the Instant Pot. Place a fine-mesh strainer (or a strainer lined with cheesecloth) over a large bowl or pot. Pour the contents of the inner pot through the strainer to separate the solids from the liquid. Discard the solids (bones and vegetables).
7. **Season and Store:** Taste the broth and add salt to taste. Allow the broth to cool completely before transferring it to storage containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. You’ll notice that properly made bone broth will have a gelatinous texture when chilled. This is due to the high collagen content.

Tips for the Best Instant Pot Chicken Stock & Bone Broth

* **Don’t Skip the Roasting (for Bone Broth):** Roasting the bones adds a depth of flavor that is unmatched. It’s worth the extra step.
* **Use a Variety of Bones:** Using a mix of bones (carcasses, backs, necks, wings, feet) will result in a richer and more flavorful broth. Chicken feet are particularly high in collagen.
* **Don’t Overfill the Instant Pot:** Overfilling can prevent the Instant Pot from reaching pressure properly and may also result in messy splatters.
* **Allow for Natural Pressure Release:** Natural pressure release allows the flavors to meld and develop more fully. Rushing the process will result in a less flavorful broth.
* **Strain Thoroughly:** A fine-mesh strainer (or cheesecloth) will remove any small bone fragments or vegetable particles, resulting in a smoother broth.
* **Skim the Fat (Optional):** Once the broth has cooled, you can skim off any solidified fat from the surface. This is a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer to leave the fat in for added flavor and richness.
* **Freeze in Portions:** Freeze the broth in small portions (e.g., 1-2 cup containers) for easy use in recipes.
* **Gelatin is Good:** Don’t be alarmed if your bone broth turns into jelly when chilled. This is a sign of high collagen content and is perfectly normal. It will liquefy again when heated.
* **Experiment with Flavors:** Feel free to experiment with different herbs, spices, and vegetables to customize the flavor of your stock or broth. Ginger, turmeric, chili flakes, and lemon zest are all great additions.
* **Use Vegetable Scraps:** Save vegetable scraps like onion skins, carrot peels, and celery ends in the freezer to use in your stock or broth. This is a great way to reduce food waste. Just be sure to avoid cruciferous vegetables, as mentioned earlier.
* **Don’t Add Salt Early:** Add salt after the cooking process, to taste. Adding salt early can inhibit collagen extraction.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

* **Broth is Bland:** Make sure you are using enough bones and vegetables. Roasting the bones (for bone broth) will also significantly enhance the flavor. Ensure you are using fresh, high-quality ingredients and allowing for sufficient cooking time and natural pressure release. You may also need to adjust the amount of salt to taste.
* **Broth is Bitter:** Avoid using too many onion skins, and make sure you are not using any cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage).
* **Broth is Cloudy:** This is usually caused by boiling the broth too vigorously. While the Instant Pot minimizes this, it’s still possible. A cloudy broth is perfectly safe to consume.
* **Instant Pot Won’t Come to Pressure:** Make sure the lid is properly sealed and the steam release valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Check the sealing ring to ensure it is properly seated and not damaged. Also, make sure you have enough liquid in the pot (at least 1 cup).
* **Food Burn Error:** This can happen if there is not enough liquid in the pot or if food is stuck to the bottom. Try adding more liquid and scraping the bottom of the pot before pressure cooking.

Uses for Chicken Stock & Bone Broth

Chicken stock and bone broth are incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide variety of dishes:

* **Soups and Stews:** The most obvious use! Chicken stock and bone broth form the base for countless soups and stews, adding depth and flavor.
* **Sauces and Gravies:** Use stock or broth to deglaze pans and create flavorful sauces and gravies.
* **Risotto:** Cook risotto in chicken stock or bone broth for a creamy and flavorful dish.
* **Grain Cooking:** Use stock or broth to cook rice, quinoa, or other grains for added flavor and nutrients.
* **Braising:** Braise meats and vegetables in stock or broth for tender and flavorful results.
* **Drinking:** Bone broth can be enjoyed as a warm and nourishing beverage. Season it with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices.
* **Reheating Leftovers:** Add a splash of stock or broth when reheating leftovers to prevent them from drying out.
* **Making Pan Sauces:** After searing meat, deglaze the pan with chicken stock for a quick and delicious pan sauce.
* **Poaching:** Poach chicken or fish in chicken stock for a moist and flavorful dish.

Health Benefits of Chicken Bone Broth (and Some Benefits of Stock)

Bone broth, in particular, is often touted for its potential health benefits, stemming primarily from the high collagen content and minerals extracted from the bones. While more research is needed to confirm all of these benefits, here’s what is commonly believed:

* **Supports Joint Health:** Collagen is a major component of cartilage, the tissue that cushions joints. Consuming collagen may help to reduce joint pain and stiffness.
* **Improves Skin Elasticity:** Collagen is also essential for skin elasticity. Consuming collagen may help to reduce wrinkles and improve skin hydration.
* **Supports Gut Health:** Collagen may help to heal the lining of the gut, which can be beneficial for people with leaky gut syndrome or other digestive issues. The amino acids in bone broth, such as glutamine, are thought to be particularly helpful.
* **Boosts Immunity:** Bone broth is rich in minerals and amino acids that support immune function.
* **Strengthens Bones:** Bone broth contains calcium, magnesium, and other minerals that are important for bone health.
* **Reduces Inflammation:** Some studies suggest that bone broth may have anti-inflammatory properties.
* **Improved Sleep Quality:** Bone broth contains glycine, an amino acid which can promote relaxation and improve sleep.
* **Aids Weight Management:** Bone broth is relatively low in calories and high in protein, which can help to promote satiety and weight loss.

While chicken stock will contain some of these benefits to a lesser degree, bone broth, due to its extended cooking time and concentration of bones, delivers a more significant impact.

Final Thoughts

Making chicken stock and bone broth in the Instant Pot is a simple and rewarding way to elevate your cooking and nourish your body. With this comprehensive guide, you can confidently create delicious and nutritious batches of liquid gold in a fraction of the time it takes using traditional methods. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your Instant Pot, and get ready to enjoy the incredible flavor and health benefits of homemade chicken stock and bone broth!