How To Make Chicken Bone Broth In Your Instant Pot
Did you know you can effortlessly make homemade chicken bone broth in your Instant Pot? My personal favorite recipe will guide you step by step and only take five minutes of prep time!
Now, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about bone broth these days. Well, it’s not just a food trend—it’s a nourishing elixir with a ton of health benefits that have been cherished for ages.
Imagine simmering those leftover chicken bones, along with some veggies and aromatic herbs, until they release all their incredible nutrients, collagen, and minerals. It’s like capturing pure goodness in a pot. Unlike regular chicken stock that is quickly made, bone broth is simmered low and slow, allowing all the essential elements to seep into the liquid, resulting in a concoction that is both comforting and incredibly good for you. Using an Instant Pot is a great way to easily make your own broth in less time.
Is bone broth good for you?
Now, let’s talk about why you should be excited about bone broth’s health benefits. It all comes down to collagen. Collagen is like the superhero protein that our bodies absolutely love. It’s found in abundance in this broth, and it’s the key to maintaining healthy skin, joints, and connective tissue. As we age, our collagen production naturally starts to decline, and that’s when those fine lines, creaky joints, and weaker bones start making themselves known.
By incorporating homemade bone broth instead of plain chicken broth into your diet, you can give your body the collagen boost it needs. It’s like a fountain of youth in a bowl, helping you look and feel your best. Plus, the collagen is easily absorbed by our bodies, making it a good way to get important nutrients.
Some experts say adding a daily cup of bone broth to a balanced diet can work wonders for bone, joint and immune health. Using a pressure cooker is the best way to make a batch that will last you for days. If a daily cup sounds like too much, a good idea is to start with 3 portions of high-quality broth per week to reap the health benefits of this supercharged soup.
This Instant Pot bone broth recipe can be stored in mason jars, frozen or consumed the next day to reap all its benefits.
7 Benefits of Bone Broth
Bone broth offers a wide range of benefits that make it a superstar in the world of nourishing foods. Here are some of the top bone broth benefits:
- Promotes joint health: The collagen and gelatin found in it help support and maintain healthy joints. These components provide the building blocks for cartilage and connective tissues, helping to reduce joint pain and stiffness, and promoting better mobility.
- Boosts gut health: Bone broth is rich in amino acids such as glutamine, glycine, and proline, which are essential for maintaining a healthy gut lining. These amino acids help to repair and seal the gut, preventing leaky gut syndrome and supporting proper digestion and nutrient absorption.
- Enhances skin health: The collagen content in bone broth supports skin elasticity, firmness, and a youthful appearance. Regular consumption of bone broth can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, promote a smoother complexion, and support overall skin health.
- Supports immune system: Bone broth contains beneficial compounds like glutathione, which has antioxidant properties and supports the immune system. Additionally, the amino acids in bone broth provide a boost to the immune system, helping to strengthen its defenses against infections and illnesses.
- Supports bone density: Rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, bone broth contributes to the maintenance of healthy bones. These minerals are essential for maintaining bone density, preventing osteoporosis, and promoting overall bone health.
- Aids in detoxification: The amino acids and minerals in bone broth support the body’s natural detoxification processes. Glycine, in particular, helps the liver in removing toxins from the body and supports overall liver health.
- Supports hair and nail health: The collagen and other nutrients in bone broth contribute to healthier hair and stronger nails. Regular consumption of bone broth can help promote hair growth, improve hair texture, and strengthen brittle nails.
These are just a few of the many benefits that bone broth offers. Incorporating this nutritious elixir into your diet can provide a host of advantages for your overall health and well-being. It can be especially helpful for those suffering from chronic inflammation or arthritis.
What do I need for this homemade bone broth recipe?
To make a batch of broth using this simple recipe, you will need:
- Instant Pot
- Chicken carcasses
- Large onion
- Celery stalks
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic cloves, if desired
- Bay leaves
- Water
You can make your homemade broth from organic chicken bones, but it’s completely optional. The garlic cloves add a delicious rich flavor and also have anti inflammatory properties, but feel free to skip them if you dislike garlic.
Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth Recipe
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook time: 120 min
Additional time: 30 min
Yield: about 12 cups
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 chicken carcasses (depending on the size of the electric pressure cooker)
- 1 large onion, peeled and cut in half
- 2 stalks of celery, cut to fit the electric pressure cooker
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 4 to 6 cloves garlic, if desired
- 2-3 bay leaves
- 10 to 12 cups water
Instructions
- Place strainer or steamer insert into the bottom of the electric pressure cooker’s liner pot.
- Into the basket, put the chicken bones, vegetables, salt, and peppercorns. Pour the water over the top, staying below the maximum fill line.
- Cover the electric pressure cooker and set the valve to sealing.
- Program the pressure cooker to “manual” or “pressure cook” for 120 minutes. After the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 30 minutes.
- Carefully pull the strainer from the electric pressure cooker allowing the broth to remain in the pressure cooker.
- If desired, refrigerate the stock overnight and then skim the layer of fat from the top prior to portioning and storing.
Store this epic broth in glass jars in the refrigerator, or freeze for later use. Pro tip: use an ice cube tray to freeze individual portions of this delicious bone broth and then store in small zippered plastic bags in your freezer for up to three months.
IP Chicken Bone Broth
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 chicken carcasses (depending on the size of the electric pressure cooker)
- 1 large onion, peeled and cut in half
- 2 stalks of celery, cut to fit the electric pressure cooker
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 4 to 6 cloves garlic, if desired
- 2-3 bay leaves
- 10 to 12 cups water
Instructions
- Place strainer or steamer insert into the bottom of the electric pressure cooker’s liner pot.
- Into the basket, put the chicken bones, vegetables, salt, and peppercorns. Pour the water over the top, staying below the maximum fill line.
- Cover the electric pressure cooker and set the valve to sealing.
- Program the pressure cooker to “manual” or “pressure cook” for 120 minutes. After the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 30 minutes.
- Carefully pull the strainer from the electric pressure cooker allowing the broth to remain in the pressure cooker.
- If desired, refrigerate the stock overnight and then skim the fat from the top prior to portioning and storing.
What is the difference between chicken bone broth and regular chicken soup?
Chicken bone broth and regular chicken soup share a common base ingredient, which is chicken. However, there are a few key differences between the two:
- Cooking time: Chicken broth is simmered for a significantly longer period than regular chicken soup. Bone broth is typically cooked for 12 to 24 hours, or even longer, while chicken soup is cooked for a shorter duration, usually around 1 to 2 hours. Using a pressure cooker such as the Instant Pot significantly reduces the cooking time for a good bone broth. The extended cooking time allows the bones to release more nutrients, collagen, and minerals into the liquid, resulting in a richer and more concentrated broth.
- Ingredients: Chicken bone broth is usually made with a combination of chicken bones, such as carcasses or leftover bones, along with vegetables, herbs, and water. The focus is primarily on extracting the goodness from the bones. On the other hand, regular chicken soup often includes a variety of vegetables, noodles, and chunks of chicken meat. It is a complete meal in itself, with a balanced combination of ingredients for flavor and substance.
- Nutrient content: Due to its extended cooking time and the inclusion of bones, chicken bone broth tends to be higher in nutrients, collagen, and minerals compared to regular chicken soup. The process allows the bones to release valuable nutrients like amino acids, gelatin, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. These nutrients contribute to the numerous health benefits associated with bone broth.
- Culinary purpose: Regular chicken soup is typically enjoyed as a hearty and filling meal, often served with bread or as a starter to a larger meal. It provides sustenance and comfort. On the other hand, chicken bone broth is often used as a base for other recipes, such as soups, stews, sauces, or even sipped on its own as a nourishing drink. Its concentrated flavor and nutrient profile make it a versatile ingredient, too.
While both chicken broth and regular chicken soup have their merits, bone broth stands out for its extended cooking time, nutrient density, and collagen content. It offers unique health benefits and serves as a foundational ingredient in many culinary creations.