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There’s something deeply comforting about a pot of broth simmering on the stove. It fills the whole home with warmth — a soft, savory scent that feels like reassurance, like you’re doing something good for yourself and the people you love. Homemade chicken broth is one of those timeless kitchen rituals that slows everything down, even if just for a moment.
And the best part?
You don’t need anything fancy, expensive, or difficult to make it. In fact, all you really need is something many of us already have on hand: the leftover bones from a Costco rotisserie chicken.
If you’ve ever tossed out the carcass after carving the meat, you might not realize that you were throwing away pure liquid gold. Those bones are filled with flavor, collagen, minerals, and richness — everything you want in a broth that will later become chicken pho, enchilada sauce base, chicken noodle soup, and so much more.
This broth is simple, deeply nourishing, and perfect for a busy household. It’s also a beautiful way to stretch your grocery budget while making meals taste even more comforting.
Let’s make something warm and cozy.
Ingredients
Plain Broth
- Chicken Bones
- Water to cover
Additional Flavor
- 1 Onion Cut in Half
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 3–4 garlic cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
Why This Broth Feels So Comforting
A good broth does more than feed you — it centers you. It slows down your breathing. It feels gentle on days when everything feels loud. It’s warm when the world is cold. It’s soothing on nights when you’re tired. And it somehow makes the whole home feel calmer.
This broth delivers all of that because:
1. Rotisserie chicken bones add natural roasted depth.
Store-bought broth can taste thin or metallic. This tastes like Sunday dinner.
2. The collagen gives it a velvety richness.
When chilled, it lightly gels — a sign of a deeply nourishing broth.
3. You control the flavor and the salt.
No preservatives. No fillers.
4. It stretches across multiple meals.
Use it for pho, enchiladas, rice, noodles, sauces, or drink it warm on its own.
5. It feels like a kitchen ritual.
Simple, slow, grounding.
How to Make the Broth (Slow, Cozy, Easy)
1. Add everything to your pot.
If you are like me and just need some plain broth to flavor later. Then you just need to throw the bones into a stockpot and cover the chicken with water. Save all the chicken you pulled off for later. If you also need a recipe for the meat try my Chicken Enchiladas and Chicken Pho Recipes.
If you want a little flavor right now..
Place the bones, vegetables, and aromatics into a large pot or slow cooker. Cover with water.
It doesn’t have to be perfect.
Just toss everything in — this is a homey recipe, not a precise one.
2. Let it simmer low and slow.
The longer it simmers, the richer and deeper the flavor becomes.
Choose your method:
Stovetop: 4–6 hours on low
Slow cooker: 8–12 hours
Instant Pot: 60–90 minutes
Your kitchen will smell like home — savory, warm, comforting.
3.Strain the broth.
Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into jars or containers.
Watch the steam rise — it’s therapeutic.
4. Cool, then store.
Refrigerate up to 1 week
Freeze up to 3 months
You’ve just made something simple… but also something special. I store mine in a large container in the fridge if I plan to use it within a few days. I also like to store it in freezer bags on a flat surface to use later. But beware! Make sure it’s on a flat surface or it will get stuck… I’m speaking from experience.
What You Can Make With This Broth
This broth is the base for so many cozy meals — including two recipes from this Costco chicken series.
Use it for:
Chicken pho
Enchilada filling + sauce
Chicken noodle soup
Rice or quinoa
Ramen bowls
Tortilla soup
Stews
Gravy
Veggie soups
Sipping broth
A jar of homemade broth in the fridge makes weeknight cooking so much more comforting.
Tips to Make Your Broth Even Better
Let your broth lightly simmer — not boil.
Boiling makes broth cloudy and harsh.
A soft bubble makes it golden and clear.
Add ginger if you love Asian flavors.
It creates a pho-like warmth that is perfect in noodle soups.
Freeze broth in cubes.
Perfect for baby food, sauces, or quick meals.
Use the slow cooker overnight.
Wake up to the coziest scent.
Why This Broth Matters
This broth represents everything comforting about home cooking — using what you have, making something from almost nothing, turning leftovers into nourishment.
It’s slow food… made for a fast life.
It’s grounding… when you need something steady.
It’s warm… when the day has been long.
And it’s simple — so simple — but it always tastes like you cared.
Serve it, share it, and savor every cozy spoonful.
Don’t forget to share your creations on Instagram and tag us at @edamamabean_ or @edamamabean (tiktok). Happy cooking!
Equipment Used
- Stock Pot
- Strainer
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Recipes Related
Easy Homemade Chicken Broth From a Costco Rotisserie Chicken (Cozy & Comforting)
Equipment
- stock pot
- Strainer
Ingredients
Plain Broth
- Chicken Bones
- Water to cover
Additional Flavor
- 1 Onion Cut in Half
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 3 –4 garlic cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
Instructions
How to Make the Broth (Slow, Cozy, Easy)
Add everything to your pot.
- If you are like me and just need some plain broth to flavor later. Then you just need to throw the bones into a stockpot and cover the chicken with water. If you want a little flavor right now..
- Place the bones, vegetables, and aromatics into a large pot or slow cooker. Cover with water.
- It doesn’t have to be perfect.
- Just toss everything in — this is a homey recipe, not a precise one.
Let it simmer low and slow.
- The longer it simmers, the richer and deeper the flavor becomes.
- Choose your method:
- Stovetop: 4–6 hours on low
- Slow cooker: 8–12 hours
- Instant Pot: 60–90 minutes
- Your kitchen will smell like home — savory, warm, comforting.
Strain the broth.
- Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into jars or containers.
- Watch the steam rise — it’s therapeutic.
Cool, then store.
- Refrigerate up to 1 week
- Freeze up to 3 months
- You’ve just made something simple… but also something special.
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