Chicken stock is a flavorful liquid made by simmering chicken bones, meat scraps, and vegetables in water. It's a fundamental ingredient in many cuisines, serving as a base for soups, sauces, braises, and stews. Chicken stock has been a culinary staple for centuries, with variations appearing in ancient Roman and medieval European cookbooks. The word "stock" comes from the idea that it is the fundamental ingredient on which a dish is built.
Chicken stock is created by slowly simmering chicken bones, often with carrots, celery, and onions. The long, gentle cooking process extracts collagen from the bones, which transforms into gelatin, giving the chicken stock a viscous texture. Chicken stock, especially homemade varieties, contains minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium leached from the bones during simmering. It also provides collagen, which breaks down into gelatin, potentially supporting joint health and skin elasticity. A single cup of chicken stock contains approximately 86 calories, 6 grams of protein, 2.9 grams of fat, and 8.5 grams of carbohydrates.
