Chicken Stock

Chicken stock is a savory cooking liquid made by simmering chicken bones and scraps with aromatics like onion, celery, carrot, and herbs. Compared with broth, stock is typically bone-forward and richer in gelatin, though the terms are often used interchangeably in packaged products. Commercial options range from canned to aseptic boxed varieties, and homemade versions can vary in clarity, salt, and body.

In the kitchen it serves as a foundational base for soups, stews, sauces, grains, and braises. It reduces well to concentrate flavor, and gelatin-rich batches may gel when chilled. For versatility, choose low-sodium stock and season later; skim or defat for a cleaner finish when needed.