The best homemade chicken broth for soup or noodles

Chicken broth is an excellent base for soups, borscht, solyanka, hearty stews, and many other first-course dishes. It also pairs perfectly with noodles, pasta, savory pampushky (Ukrainian garlic bread rolls), and freshly baked buns. Delicious, nourishing, and versatile, chicken broth contains compounds such as glutamine and collagen that are important for maintaining the health of the gastrointestinal tract. It also provides amino acids, including cysteine, which plays a role in the body’s natural antioxidant defenses and respiratory health.

Watch our video to learn how to make truly delicious, aromatic homemade chicken broth.

Adding ground bay leaves gives chicken broth a richer aroma and introduces a variety of naturally occurring plant compounds. Bay leaves contain cineole, camphor, and limonene, as well as B vitamins, including B1, B2, B3, B6, and B9, which support normal nervous system function and energy metabolism. Bay leaves also contain organic acids and tannins, naturally occurring compounds that contribute to their distinctive properties and flavor.

CraftOil offers an extensive selection of artisan spices, dried herbs, and seasonings. Our online catalog features ground bay leaves that are quality-certified and stored under carefully controlled conditions. We ship our spices in convenient, hermetically sealed jars and are committed to delivering premium-quality products.

To learn more about our products, simply submit an inquiry through our website or contact our managers using whichever communication method is most convenient for you.

Ingredients

To make a hearty, flavorful homemade chicken broth, you will need:

• 1 large onion;
• 1 small carrot;
• 3 teaspoons of salt, or slightly more to taste;
• 1 teaspoon of ground bay leaves;
• 2 chicken leg quarters;
• 2 liters of boiled and cooled water;
• 1 celery stalk;

Step-by-step instructions

Prepare the chicken. Rinse the chicken leg quarters thoroughly and place them in previously boiled and cooled water. Add the seasonings. Add the salt, ground bay leaves, and celery stalk, rinsed and cut into several pieces.

Prepare the vegetables. Rinse the carrot and onion, pat them dry with a kitchen towel, and cut them in half. Toast the vegetables. Place the onion and carrot halves in a dry frying pan and cook for 5–7 minutes, until they develop a characteristic aroma and a lightly browned surface. This step helps give the broth a deeper, richer flavor.

Cook the broth. Add the browned vegetables to the pot with the chicken and water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, cover with a lid, and cook for approximately 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked. Skim the surface. During cooking, periodically remove any foam that rises to the surface with a spoon.

Strain the broth. Once the chicken is cooked, strain the broth through a sieve or fine-mesh strainer. Add fresh herbs if desired. For extra flavor, add chopped fresh or dried dill, parsley, or basil.

Your aromatic homemade chicken broth is ready to serve! Enjoy it on its own or use it as a delicious base for homemade soup, chicken noodle soup, pasta dishes, and other comforting meals.

Tips for serving chicken broth:

This rich, savory broth tastes wonderful with crackers, croutons, and other baked snacks. If you prefer a spicier, more aromatic broth, add a few whole black peppercorns and allspice berries during cooking. These spices, along with many other natural seasonings, are available from CraftOil, a Ukrainian online spice store offering a wide selection of quality spices and dried herbs.

Choose high-quality seasonings to bring out the best flavor in your homemade chicken broth!