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Chicken broth is a base for many recipes. Making it from scratch in a slow cooker is easy and it really does taste better than what you’ll find at the store. As a bonus, you also end up with a lot of yummy chicken on hand.
Plus my recipe calls for wine, and you can’t find wine-infused broth at the grocer!
*A note about chicken broth vs. stock. The two are similar but not interchangeable. Stock is made without the presence of meat or seasoning.
Here’s what you’ll need:
1 whole chicken
2-3 celery stalks
2 carrots
1 large onion
3 garlic cloves
10 peppercorns
1 bay leaf
1 orange
1/2 cube salted butter
4 cups water
1/3 cup white wine
Here’s how you do it:
Wash celery and carrots, then cut into large pieces. No need to peel carrots, just scrub then remove ends and any questionable spots. Peel and press garlic cloves.
Layer veggies on the bottom of a slow cooker and add bay leaf.
Remove skin and giblets from chicken. So gross. So necessary.
Wash and quarter each half of the orange, then stuff the chicken cavity.
Place chicken on top of veggies. Add water.
Add white wine. I typically use a dry Riesling.
*Note: Riesling can be very sweet and low-alcohol. Make sure you are using a dry Riesling. It will likely say dry on the bottle, but if you are unsure, check the alcohol by volume (abv), it will be 12.5% or higher.
Cut butter into pieces. Top chicken with butter. Add peppercorns.
Slow cook on low for 8 hours.
After 8 hours the chicken should slide off the bone. Transfer chicken into a large bowl, let it cool, then pick away the fat, cartilage and bones. Set meat aside to be used as pre-cooked chicken for future dishes. Freeze whatever you do not intend to use within 3-4 days.
Meanwhile, as the chicken is cooling, use a colander to strain broth from what’s left in the slow cooker.
Sort out chicken caught in colander and discard vegetable and orange pieces. Line colander with cheesecloth, and strain again.
Measure and pour the broth into freezer storage bags. Don’t forget to label the bags for future reference.
Chicken broth made in a slow cooker is simple and the addition of wine adds a nice, smooth flavor. Then when you have a recipe that calls for broth, just thaw and enjoy!
Get the printable -> Chicken Broth
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