Chicken Stock

Method12 steps · about 35 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Put the bones from half a chicken and the 3 cups water into a stock pot.

   Uses Bones from ½ chicken · 3 cups water

   
2. 2

   Step 2: Use a pot with enough room for the bones and liquid; the author uses a 2-quart pot for this half-chicken batch.

   Uses Chicken bones and water in the pot

3. 3

   Step 3: Bring the pot from step 2 to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer.

   Uses Chicken bones and water in the stock pot

   
4. 4

   Step 4: Add the 1 tbsp fish sauce, crushed garlic (1 clove) clove and 3 tbsp mushroom soy sauce to the simmering pot from step 3.

   Uses Simmering chicken-bone broth · 1 tbsp fish sauce · 1 clove garlic, crushed · 3 tbsp mushroom soy sauce

5. 5

   Step 5: Keep the seasoned pot from step 4 uncovered and avoid a hard boil so the broth stays clear.

   Uses Seasoned chicken-bone stock

6. 6

   Step 6: Check that the stock from step 5 is gently simmering before starting the cooking wait.

   Uses Uncovered seasoned stock pot

7. 7

   Step 7: Simmer the uncovered stock from step 6 for at least 30 minutes over low heat, keeping the bubbles gentle.

   First stock check · 30 minUses Gently simmering seasoned stock

8. 8

   Step 8: After the first 30 minutes, check the stock from step 7. Longer gentle simmering gives a fuller flavor.

   Uses Stock after its initial 30-minute simmer

9. 9

   Step 9: If you want the longer version, continue gently simmering the pot from step 8; the author sometimes cooks it for a couple of hours overall. Otherwise proceed to the final taste check.

   Uses Chicken stock ready for a final check or longer simmer

10. 10

    Step 10: While simmering, keep the heat low and add a little additional water as needed to the pot from step 9.

    Uses Chicken stock in its uncovered pot · Additional water, as needed during simmering

11. 11

    Step 11: Toward the end, taste the stock from step 10 and add a little additional fish sauce or mushroom soy sauce only if needed.

    Uses Simmered chicken stock · Additional fish sauce, optional to taste · Additional mushroom soy sauce, optional to taste

12. 12

    Step 12: Taste the seasoned stock from step 11 once more. The mushroom soy sauce should add depth to the finished broth.

    Uses Finished seasoned chicken stock in its pot