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Quick Chicken Stock

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 22, 2009

Yield

Makes about 2 quarts

Quick Chicken Stock

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 medium onion, chopped medium2 teaspoons salt 2 bay leaves 2 quarts boiling water 4 pounds chicken legs or backs and wing tips, cut into 2-inch pieces

Before You Begin

Chicken pieces are sauteed and then sweated before being cooked in water for a rich but very quick stock. This is our favorite all-purpose stock. It takes about an hour to prepare.

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion; saute until colored and softened slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the onion to a large bowl.
  2. Add half of the chicken pieces to the pot; saute both sides until lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the cooked chicken to the bowl with the onions. Saute the remaining chicken pieces. Return the onions and chicken pieces to the pot. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the chicken releases its juices, about 20 minutes.
  3. Increase the heat to high; add the boiling water, salt, and bay leaves. Return to a simmer, then cover and barely simmer until the stock is rich and flavorful, about 20 minutes.
  4. Strain the stock; discard the solids. Before using, defat the stock. The stock can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days or frozen for several months.
Quick Chicken Stock

Quick Chicken Stock

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Yield

Makes about 2 quarts

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped medium
2 teaspoons salt
2 bay leaves
2 quarts boiling water
4 pounds chicken legs or backs and wing tips, cut into 2-inch pieces

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped medium
2 teaspoons salt
2 bay leaves
2 quarts boiling water
4 pounds chicken legs or backs and wing tips, cut into 2-inch pieces

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped medium
2 teaspoons salt
2 bay leaves
2 quarts boiling water
4 pounds chicken legs or backs and wing tips, cut into 2-inch pieces

Test Kitchen Techniques

Before You Begin

Chicken pieces are sauteed and then sweated before being cooked in water for a rich but very quick stock. This is our favorite all-purpose stock. It takes about an hour to prepare.

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion; saute until colored and softened slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the onion to a large bowl.
  2. Add half of the chicken pieces to the pot; saute both sides until lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the cooked chicken to the bowl with the onions. Saute the remaining chicken pieces. Return the onions and chicken pieces to the pot. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the chicken releases its juices, about 20 minutes.
  3. Increase the heat to high; add the boiling water, salt, and bay leaves. Return to a simmer, then cover and barely simmer until the stock is rich and flavorful, about 20 minutes.
  4. Strain the stock; discard the solids. Before using, defat the stock. The stock can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days or frozen for several months.

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