Why This Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth Will Change Your Game
The magic happens when those chicken bones start breaking down under pressure. All that good stuff, the collagen, the minerals, gets pulled right into the liquid.
I used to think bone broth was this fancy thing you had to simmer for like 18 hours. Then Sarah suggested trying it in the Instant Pot, and honestly? Game changer.
The texture is incredible. Rich, silky, with that perfect golden color that tells you it’s packed with nutrients.
✅ Ready in under 2 hours instead of all day
✅ Rich, gelatinous texture every single time
✅ Uses kitchen scraps you’d normally toss
✅ Perfect base for soups and stews
✅ Freezer-friendly for meal prep
Trust me, once you taste this homemade version, those store-bought cartons won’t cut it anymore
Simple Ingredients That Pack Big Flavor
This Instant Pot chicken bone broth gets its incredible depth from just a handful of organic ingredients working together under pressure.
I love how you can literally use what’s already hanging around your kitchen. Those carrot ends? Perfect. That lonely onion sitting in the pantry? Exactly what we need.
✔ Bones from 2 chicken carcasses : I used leftover rotisserie chicken bones, but any chicken bones work
✔ 1 full head of garlic : skins and all, adds amazing depth
✔ 1 onion or onion peelings : don’t waste those papery skins, they add color
✔ 1 carrot or carrot pieces : celery works too if that’s what you’ve got
✔ ¼ cup apple cider vinegar : helps pull all the good minerals from the bones
The beauty is in the simplicity. No fancy ingredients, just real food doing what it does best.
How to Make Perfect Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth
This Instant Pot chicken bone broth comes together so much faster than the traditional stovetop method, and honestly tastes just as rich.
I used to be intimidated by the whole bone broth thing, but the Instant Pot makes it foolproof. Even Jake helps me load everything in now.
- Toss all your chicken bones into the Instant Pot, don’t worry about arranging them perfectly
- Add the garlic head, onion, and carrot pieces right on top of the bones
- Pour in the apple cider vinegar and let it sit for about 10 minutes to start working
- Fill with 8 cups of filtered water until everything is just covered
- Add sea salt if you want (I prefer to season individual servings later)
- Set to high pressure for 90 minutes with natural pressure release
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer and let it cool before storing
The whole house smells incredible while it’s cooking. Sophie always knows when I’m making broth because she comes running to the kitchen.
Best Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth Variations
The base recipe for Instant Pot chicken bone broth is just the beginning, you can totally customize it based on what your family craves.
Herb-Infused Version
Last month I tried adding fresh thyme and rosemary in the last 20 minutes. Sarah loved how it made the whole kitchen smell like a fancy restaurant. That Instant Pot bone broth with herbs doesn’t overpower, just adds this subtle earthy note that makes you want to sip it straight from a mug.
Asian-Style Bone Broth
Jake’s been into ramen lately, so I started throwing in a piece of fresh ginger and a few star anise pods. Gives it this amazing warming quality that’s perfect when someone’s feeling under the weather. Sophie wasn’t sure about it at first, but now she requests it.
Extra-Rich Version
Sometimes I use chicken feet along with the regular bones, sounds weird, but they’re loaded with collagen. The nutritional value goes through the roof, and you get this incredible gelatinous texture that’s like liquid gold for your joints.
Once you nail the basic technique, experimenting becomes the fun part. That’s how you find your family’s perfect version.
Perfect Ways to Use Your Bone Broth
This flavorful Instant Pot chicken bone broth isn’t just for sipping, though honestly, that’s pretty amazing on its own.
Morning Warm-Up
I’ve started having a mug instead of my second cup of coffee some mornings. Sounds crazy, but it keeps me satisfied until lunch and doesn’t give me that afternoon crash. Sarah thinks I’m nuts, but she’s starting to try it too.
Soup Base Supreme
Any soup recipe that calls for store-bought broth gets an instant upgrade with this homemade version, especially Instant Pot chicken breast soup. Last week’s chicken noodle soup had the kids asking for thirds, which never happens. The depth of flavor is just incomparable.
Rice and Grain Game-Changer
Cook your rice or quinoa in this instead of water. Game. Changer. Even plain brown rice tastes like something special. Sophie, who usually picks at her grains, actually asked for seconds.
Secret Weapon for Sauces
A splash in pan sauces or gravies adds this incredible richness. I used some in last Sunday’s pot roast gravy and Jake said it was the best he’d ever had. Coming from an 11-year-old food critic, that’s high praise.
Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just want to level up dinner, this stuff delivers every single time.
Keep Your Bone Broth Fresh and Ready
This Instant Pot chicken bone broth keeps beautifully when you store it right, and honestly, having some ready in the fridge feels like having liquid gold on hand.
After a batch cools down, it should have that perfect jiggle, that’s how you know you extracted all the good collagen from those bones.
Storage
- At room temperature: Only about 2 hours max, this stuff is too good to risk spoilage
- In the fridge: Up to 5 days in airtight containers, develops that perfect gel consistency
- In the freezer: Up to 6 months in freezer-safe jars (leave headspace!) or ice cube trays for portion control
Reheating
- Microwave method: Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between, don’t let it boil over
- Stovetop: Gentle heat in a saucepan, stirring occasionally until steaming hot
- Instant Pot: Steam setting for 2-3 minutes if heating a large batch
The key is gentle heating to preserve that silky texture. Aggressive boiling can make it taste flat.
Anti-waste tip
Leftover broth makes incredible ice cubes for cooking. Pop them into stir-fries, use them to deglaze pans, or add to smoothies for a protein boost. Sophie discovered they’re perfect for making savory popsicles when she’s teething, weird but it works.
Still wondering about tweaking the recipe or dealing with technique questions? I’ve got plenty of answers below
Your Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth Questions Answered
The first time I tried making Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth, I second-guessed every step, especially the part about not stirring the pasta.
Why is my Instant Pot chicken bone broth not gelatinous enough?
You probably need more bones or chicken feet. Happened to me too, now I use at least 3 pounds of bones for rich, gelatinous results.
Can I make chicken bone broth without apple cider vinegar?
Sure, but the vinegar helps extract minerals from bones. Lemon juice works too, or just skip it, you’ll still get flavorful broth.
How to store chicken bone broth for meal prep?
I freeze mine in mason jars or ice cube trays. Perfect for quick weeknight soups or adding richness to any recipe.
Best chicken bones for bone broth in Instant Pot?
Mix of knuckle bones and carcasses works best. I save rotisserie chicken bones in the freezer until I have enough for a batch.
Rich, Nourishing Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth
Nothing beats the satisfaction of ladling out your own homemade Instant Pot chicken bone broth on a busy weeknight. The aroma alone tells you this isn’t coming from any store-bought carton.
This recipe transforms simple kitchen scraps into liquid comfort food for Instant Pot potato soup that’ll become your family’s new obsession..
Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth
Equipment
- 6-quart Instant Pot
- Fine mesh strainer
- Storage containers
Ingredients
- 2 chicken carcasses Bones from leftover rotisserie chicken or any chicken bones
- 1 full head garlic including skins
- 1 onion or onion peelings
- 1 carrot or leftover carrot pieces
- 8 cups filtered water
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sea salt optional, I prefer adding salt later
Instructions
- Place chicken bones in your Instant Pot along with garlic, onion, and carrot pieces.
- Add apple cider vinegar and let sit for 10 minutes to help draw minerals from the bones.
- Pour in filtered water until ingredients are just covered.
- Add sea salt if desired (I usually skip this step and season individual servings).
- Secure the lid and set to high pressure for 90 minutes.
- Allow natural pressure release for at least 20 minutes before opening.
- Strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer into storage containers.
- Cool completely before refrigerating, it should gel beautifully when cold.
Notes
- The apple cider vinegar is key for extracting all those minerals, but lemon juice works in a pinch.
- I’ve found that using a mix of different bone types gives the richest flavor, don’t be afraid to save bones from multiple meals in the freezer until you have enough.
- One time I tried adding fresh herbs at the end and it made the whole batch taste like Thanksgiving in a bowl.
- If your broth doesn’t gel when cold, just use more bones next time, it’ll still taste incredible and be packed with nutrients.
Share Your Bone Broth Success!
When you taste that first spoonful of homemade Instant Pot chicken bone broth, you’ll understand why I can’t shut up about it. It’s comfort food that actually loves you back.
Hit those stars below if this recipe worked magic in your kitchen! I always love hearing how it turned out, especially if you tried one of the variations. Drop a comment or tag #EasyPressureEats when you post that perfect golden broth shot.
The best part about this recipe? It gets your whole family asking what smells so incredible. That’s a win in my book every single time
