The most common and beneficial thing to do with a chicken carcass after roasting is to make chicken stock.
After enjoying your roast chicken, don't discard the leftover carcass and bones. These remnants are packed with flavor and nutrients, perfect for creating a versatile and delicious homemade stock.
Why Make Chicken Stock?
Making stock from a roasted chicken carcass is a simple process that transforms leftovers into a useful kitchen staple. Homemade stock offers several advantages:
- Flavor: Provides a richer, deeper flavor compared to store-bought options.
- Nutrients: Extracts beneficial compounds from the bones.
- Reduce Waste: An excellent way to utilize all parts of the chicken.
- Cost-Effective: Turns something you'd otherwise discard into a valuable ingredient.
How to Make Chicken Stock
According to the reference, you can make chicken stock very simply using the leftover cooked carcass and bones from your Sunday roast.
Simple Steps to Make Stock:
- Gather the Carcass: Collect the bones and carcass after the meat has been removed.
- Add to Pot: Place the carcass and bones in a large pot.
- Cover with Water: Add enough cold water to fully cover the bones.
- Simmer: Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for several hours (typically 2-4 hours, though longer simmering yields richer flavor).
- Strain: Strain the liquid to remove all solids.
- Cool and Store: Let the stock cool before storing it in the refrigerator or freezer.
You can also add vegetable scraps like onion skins, carrot tops, and celery ends to the pot while simmering for added flavor.
Storing the Carcass for Later
If you're not ready to make stock immediately after roasting, the reference notes that you can store the leftover chicken bones in the freezer in the meantime. This allows you to accumulate enough bones for a larger batch or simply tackle the task when you have more time. Place the bones in a freezer-safe bag or container and store for future use.
Using a roasted chicken carcass for stock is a straightforward and rewarding way to maximize the value of your meal and enhance your cooking with a flavorful homemade ingredient.
