Part II of the Instant Pot Meal Prep Series
Now we can make pasture-raised chicken bone broth in a fraction of the time with an Instant Pot! This recipe is so much faster and easier than constantly tending to a pot on the stovetop for 12+ hours. And, it’s the perfect way to make use of all the bones from a leftover roast chicken. The finished broth is delicious on its own in a tea or latte, and can also be used in a variety of dishes (soups, stews, sauces, gravies, grains, beans, lentils, and more). This is one of the best ways to provide your body with a boost of protein and nutrients like collagen, magnesium, calcium, and healthy fats. I almost always have a batch of pasture-raised chicken bone broth in the fridge and encourage you to make it a regular part of your weekly traditional foods meal prep routine. This recipe is gluten-free, paleo, primal, AIP, WAPF, GAPS, Whole30, and keto-friendly.
Ancestral History of Bone Broth
Bone broth has gained popularity in North America in recent years due to its amazing health benefits. But it is hardly a new invention in the rest of the world. The use of bone broth in ancient cultures is a fascinating part of history. Methods varied greatly across different parts of the world, though the purpose and benefits were the same. One of the key benefits of bone broth is its nutritional profile. Ancient cultures understood that consuming bone broth regularly provided essential nutrients, minerals, and protein to their diets. It was even used to help heal cavities and other illnesses.
In some parts of the world, primitive cultures ground bones with water into a mineral-rich paste. As societies advanced, bones were cooked in water to make stock and used as a base for soups, sauces, and stews. Bone marrow was also a big part of most ancient diets, providing essential minerals in the proper proportions that our bodies can absorb and utilize. In many Asian countries, broth is traditionally consumed with every meal, including breakfast, even today.
The recipes might have changed over the years, but the nutritional benefits remain the same. Today, many people are turning to pastured chicken bone broth for its amazing nutrient-dense properties. But, there is also a growing demand for modern convenience to fit our busy lifestyles, and using the Instant Pot is an easy way to incorporate this ancient remedy into your healthy diet.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
In this post, I’ll show you step-by-step how to make nutritious Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth with a pasture-raised bird and some veggies, herbs, and spices in as little as 3 hours so you can enjoy your delicious homemade broth today. But, before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about why it’s completely worthwhile to make your own bone broth at home.
Benefits of Pasture-Raised Poultry
Pasture-raised chicken bone broth is a healthy and nourishing addition to your diet. Compared to conventionally-raised chicken, pasture-raised poultry contains up to three times the amount of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and is rich in vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids. Additionally, the broth made from pastured chicken bones is a great source of collagen, which helps keep skin and joints healthy.
Not only will you be able to enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal, but you’ll also be supporting a healthier, more sustainable farming system. Pasture-raised chickens are allowed to roam freely outdoors, foraging for their own food and getting sun, exercise, and fresh air. Compared to conventional chickens, these pastured chickens have higher levels of vitamins and minerals, healthier fats, and fewer toxins. The resulting bone broth is also richer in nutrients, making it a healthier and more nourishing option.
Health Benefits of Bone Broth
Making bone broth from pasture-raised chicken not only enhances the flavor of whatever dish you add it to but it has long been praised for its wide range of health benefits as well. It is packed with essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. This helps boost the immune system and protect against common illnesses. It is effortless to digest and helps to heal and strengthen the digestive tract. Bone broth is one of the best remedies to help heal your gut, reduce intestinal inflammation, and boost detoxification. It is also rich in beneficial amino acids like collagen and glycine and provides support for maintaining healthy joints, hair, skin, and nails due to its high collagen content.
Budget-Friendly Benefits of This Recipe
Making your own bone broth at home is the most cost-effective way to reap all of the amazing health benefits of pasture-raised chicken. If you’re knowledgeable in traditional foods, you know that it’s such a waste to throw away the bones and offal of healthy animals! Utilizing all parts of the animal as our ancestors did (nose-to-tail eating) maximizes nutrition and stretches the expense of pastured meat. It is the best way to honor the animal that gave its life to nourish your body with all the protein and micronutrients that it provides.
Using an Instant Pot to Make Bone Broth
Saving time and money while eating well is the ultimate goal in a modern traditional foods kitchen. That’s why I love to use the Instant Pot whenever I can for a quick and easy method for cooking nutrient-dense meals. And, if you are new to the Instant Pot, this is a perfect recipe to get sucked into the wonderful world of pressure cooking.
SAVES TIME
Making bone broth in the Instant Pot is a great way to save time and energy in the kitchen since the process is much faster and simpler than traditional methods (like simmering animal bones, vegetables, and herbs in water for 12-24 hours on the stovetop). The long cooking process breaks down the bones, allowing the minerals and nutrients to be extracted into the liquid, resulting in a rich and flavorful broth. But now with the modern convenience of the Instant Pot, we can have the same nutrient-dense liquid gold in just a few hours.
Additionally, the Instant Pot is very easy to use and cleanup is a breeze. Since you can saute, sear, and pressure cook all in the same vessel, there are fewer dishes to wash, which saves even more time (and water). And, once all ingredients are in, all you need to do is set the timer and let it do its magic. Use that hands-free time for other kitchen duties, or hanging out with your favorite people, pets, and/or Netflix.
RETAINS NUTRIENTS
Making bone broth in the Instant Pot is an excellent way to get the most out of your ingredients. Not only does the Instant Pot speed up the cooking time, but it also locks in more nutrients, resulting in a more flavorful and nutrient-dense broth.
All cooking techniques deplete heat-sensitive nutrients to some extent. But, compared to all other cooking methods, pressure cooking preserves the most nutrients. [5] Pressure cookers cook more effectively at a lower temperature, so there are fewer changes to the nutritional structure of the food. And shorter cooking times mean less time for water-soluble nutrients to dissolve into the cooking water. [6] Also, because the food cooks faster and little moisture evaporates, tastes and textures are deeper and more pronounced. [7]
Some research even suggests that pressure cooking deactivates anti-nutrients (compounds like phytic acid and lectins that inhibit the body’s ability to absorb and use nutrients) better than other cooking methods. So it takes less effort for the body to digest and absorb the nutrients from pressure-cooked food. [8]
Additionally, the inner pot is stainless steel, so you do not have to worry about safety concerns like lead leaching or Teflon flaking.
BUILDS CONFIDENCE
So, if you’ve been resistant to using that brand-new Instant Pot that might still be sitting in the box (I was guilty of that too haha), this might be the perfect recipe that finally convinces you to give it a try.
To get even more comfortable using your Instant Pot, check out my 10 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners blog post.
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Homemade vs Store-Bought
Homemade bone broth is superior to commercial brands in many ways. For one, commercial bone broths are often packaged in toxic plastic containers, which could potentially leach into the broth. Homemade bone broth is typically boiled in non-reactive stainless steel or ceramic vessels. Additionally, commercial broth often lacks the richness of homemade bone broth, which tends to gel in the refrigerator due to the higher collagen content. Furthermore, high-quality commercial broth is often expensive, so homemade bone broth is way more economical. For these reasons, traditional homemade bone broth is often preferred over commercial brands.
Making your own bone broth at home using pasture-raised chicken is not only cost-effective but also provides an ideal opportunity to control the quality of ingredients. In addition to being healthier than store-bought varieties, homemade bone broth tastes better too! With a few simple ingredients and a pressure cooker, you can make nutrient-dense and flavorful bone broth in the comfort of your own kitchen.
If you’re short on time and want the convenience of pre-made bone broth in your pantry, consider Kettle and Fire or Bonafide Provisions for high-quality commercial bone broth that gels in the fridge.
Ingredient Notes
– List of ingredients and why each is used
– Optional Ingredients to enhance nutrition or flavor
– Ingredient substitutions for special diets or taste preferences
– Where to purchase pasture-raised chicken
This is an easy recipe with simple ingredients that takes little time to prepare. Here’s a rundown of the main components of this recipe.
Bones from a Pasture-Raised Chicken – A 4-lb whole chicken fits perfectly in the inner pot of a 6-quart Instant Pot.
Where to Find High-Quality Meat:
Buy extra chicken feet and toss them in with the bones to ensure your bone broth has that gelatinous quality of a nutritious and gut-healing broth.
Cooking Fat of Choice – The best source of healthy fats are traditional animal fats. Adding fat to a meal helps make fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients more bioavailable for our bodies to digest and absorb more easily. I like to use grass-fed butter or ghee to cook chicken for the best flavor.
Where to Find High Quality Traditional Fats:
Seasoning – You can just use sea salt and black pepper, or try my favorite rub/seasoning blend listed in this recipe – a mix of sea salt, onion powder, garlic powder, red chili powder, smoked paprika, fresh ground black pepper, and a bit of turmeric. See the Ingredient Substitutions section below for more options.
Where to Find High-Quality Herbs & Spices:
[Optional] Vegetables – You can add sweet potatoes, carrots, onion, celery, etc to the bottom of the pot, under the trivet. Adding veggies will enhance the flavor and nutrition of the drippings, but you will end up with less juice because the veggies will soak some up.
Buy extra chicken feet and toss them in with the bones to ensure your bone broth has that gelatinous quality of a nutritious and gut-healing broth.
[Optional] Fresh or Dried herbs – Rosemary, thyme, marjoram, and sage are typically found in poultry seasoning and are great for cooking a whole chicken in the Instant Pot. You can also add fresh or dried herbs on top of the chicken, like oregano, sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley, etc.
Ingredient Substitutions
Any allergens, special diets, or restrictions? If so, list substitutions for these ingredients.
Grass-Fed Butter or Ghee – avocado oil or olive oil with a high smoke point (not extra virgin) are excellent options.
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Tools and Equipment Used
List any specialty tools or kitchen essentials needed for this recipe. Also list everyday items that everyone should already have in their kitchen (measuring spoons/cups, knives, spatula, bowls, plates, etc).
This recipe obviously uses an Instant Pot,😉but here’s a rundown of all kitchen essentials, specialty tools, and common utensils used in this recipe.
Kitchen Essentials or Specialty Tools
Instant Pot – indispensable for fast meal prep and daily/weekly kitchen duties
I have the 6-Qt Instant Pot Ultra, but this newer version is on my wish list. The trivet with handles used in this recipe comes with the Instant Pot.
➳ NOTE: When choosing a size, I recommend starting with the 6-quart version over the 8-quart. You always have the option to invest in an 8-quart later down the road. However, if you have a larger family or love to batch cook all the time, the 8-quart may be more suitable for your kitchen. See this post to help you determine the appropriate size to get for your household.
Digital Kitchen Scale – to weigh the chicken so you can determine the cooking time, use a high-quality scale like this one.
Non-Reactive Oven-Safe Dish – for broiling the whole cooked chicken at the end to get crispy skin, use a glass baking dish or ceramic baking sheet.
Large Skillet – for making the traditional gravy, I love to use my cast iron skillet, as it enhances the flavor.
Meal Prep Containers – for meal prepping the chicken for the week, I either use these glass meal prep containers to store in the fridge or these silicone food-grade bags to store in the freezer.
➳ RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Essentials for Traditional Foods & Ancestral Health
Everyday Items Already in Your Kitchen
Small Bowl – to mix whatever seasoning you are using
Chef Knife – to carve the chicken once cooked
Measuring Spoons – for the spices
Measuring Cup – for the broth/water
Silicone Spatula – to scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the inner pot after searing/browning the chicken
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How To Make Chicken Bone Broth
Bone broth is an incredibly nutritious liquid made by slowly simmering animal bones and connective tissues in water. It’s easy to make – simply simmer bones, vegetables, and herbs in a large pot of water. Here are step-by-step instructions to prep, cook, use, and store pasture-raised chicken bone broth. First, we will prepare chicken bones by roasting them and then soaking them in an acidic medium to extract as many nutrients as possible. Next, we will add the rest of the ingredients and pressure cook into a golden broth. Then, we will strain the broth and toss those bones back into the freezer for another batch later. And finally, we will meal prep the broth by cooling, scraping off the fat layer, and freezing it in 1/4 cup ice cubes for the easiest way to add to meals throughout the week.
– Preparing the chicken bones — roasted bones in butter or ghee on Saute setting for about 5 minutes. Once roasted, pour in 1/2 cup of cold water and scrape off the brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Then add the rest of the cold water and ACV and allow bones to soak for 30 minutes before turning on the pressure cooker. This will help release the minerals and marrow from the bones.
– Adding ingredients to the Instant Pot
– Setting and cooking the Instant Pot
– Straining and cooling the broth
How to Prep…
Step 1: Prepare the completely thawed chicken by removing the bag of giblets from the inside cavity of the chicken (if it came with them). Place the chicken on a plate and pat it dry inside and out with paper towels or a clean dish cloth.
Step 2: Weigh the whole chicken on your kitchen scale to determine the correct cooking time for your bird (8 minutes per pound).
Step 3: Mix together whatever spices you’re using in a small bowl. Rub seasoning mix all over the outside of the chicken and inside the cavity.
Step 5: Stuff the cavity of the chicken with lemon, onion, and smashed garlic.
How to Cook…
SEAR/BROWN THE TOP
Step 6: Select the ‘Saute’ function on your Instant Pot and adjust to MEDIUM heat. Add your cooking fat of choice to the pot, and when it starts to shimmer (but before it smokes), add the chicken breast-side down to the inner pot. Allow the chicken to cook, undisturbed, for 5-7 minutes or until the skin browns to your liking.
Step 7: [OPTIONAL] Using tongs or 2 wooden spoons, carefully flip the chicken over in the pot. Continue cooking in ‘Saute’ mode for another 5 minutes.
Step 8: Carefully lift the chicken from the pot using tongs or 2 wooden spoons, and place it breast-side-up on the metal trivet (over a plate) that came with your Instant Pot. If needed, add up to a cup of bone broth (or water) to help the chicken release from the bottom.
FOR MEAL PREP
Step 16: Carve the chicken and serve, then debone the rest of the chicken and shred all the meat to use in meals throughout the week.
Step 17: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Shredded chicken can also be frozen for 2-4 months (and remember to label everything when meal prepping!).
Step 18: Save the liquid from cooking the chicken to make the gravy (recipe below), then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days or in the freezer for longer.
Step 19: Save the bones from the chicken to make your own chicken bone broth.
How to Store…
Step 1: After you carve the chicken for dinner tonight, de-bone the rest of the whole chicken to remove the meat from the bones.
Step 2: Save the bones from the chicken to make your own chicken bone broth (toss the carcass back into the IP to make the broth immediately, or store the bones in the freezer until you’re ready to make the broth).
Step 3: Shred all the leftover chicken, let cool, and place in silicone re-usable freezer bag OR an airtight glass container (use one container or portion out servings into meal prep containers for easy weeknight meals later on).
Step 4: Store container(s) in the fridge for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for 2-4 months.
How to Use Chicken Bone Broth
step-by-step instructions, plus any tips, on how to use this recipe (or how to use the whole animal, etc).
Having cooked chicken, gravy, and bone broth at your fingertips helps you get fast, easy, and nourishing meals on the table all week! Here are all the ways to use the whole bird.
Giblets – save the bag of giblets for the delicious gravy (see recipe); use with the neck and feet in a nutritious bone broth; use the liver in a nutrient-dense pâté or feed to your pet
Drippings – use the leftover liquid from cooking the chicken for gravy or meat broth
Bones – keep the carcass and bones for making bone broth
Meat – see the next two sections for what to serve with your roast chicken dinner, as well as several ideas for how to use leftover shredded chicken in diverse recipes
Ways to Enjoy Bone Broth
Ideas for how to serve this recipe and what to serve it with in order to make a complete nutrient-dense meal.
Here are some ideas for how to best serve that juicy pastured chicken meat to make a complete nutrient-dense meal tonight.
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How to Store Bone Broth
How to batch cook this recipe to use the leftovers in other recipes throughout the week.
Batch cooking makes life easier later in the week when life gets hectic, and there’s less time to spend in the kitchen. Sometimes I’ll double this recipe and cook two chickens at once. We’ll eat one for dinner and use the other in my weekly meal prep session to have healthy meals throughout the week. Shredded chicken is a perfect base protein for adding to soups, salads, pasta, casseroles, curries, Mexican food, and much more! Here are some ideas to use already cooked and shredded chicken (fresh or leftover):
Quick Tips for This Recipe
Here are some valuable cooking tips for making pasture-raised chicken bone broth in the Instant Pot to get the most nutrient-dense and perfectly gelled result every time.
Please share any tips you have learned from roasting a pastured whole chicken in an Instant Pot in the comments section below.
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More Instant Pot Recipes
Now that you know how to make chicken bone broth in the Instant Pot, you can easily incorporate this into your weekly nutrient-dense meal prep routine. Here are some other nourishing meals to try in your next Instant Pot meal prep session:
➳ Leave a comment below and let me know what nutrient-dense meals you love to make in your instant pot!
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Sabrina Leanne
I'm a certified holistic health coach and my food philosophy is centered around an ancestral, nutrient-dense, whole-food way of eating. I advocate for a balanced and biodiverse microbiome to naturally reduce inflammation & boost immunity. My holistic approach incorporates plenty of nature, sunshine, movement, inner reflection, and deep connection with kindred spirits. ALL of these factors contribute to a vibrant health span that can match an entire lifespan, so we can enjoy the rest of our lives, full of passion and purpose. Click the START HERE link in the navigation menu to learn more!