This rotisserie chicken bone broth recipe is the easiest way to turn leftover chicken bones into rich, flavorful broth you’ll actually use. Made from a store-bought rotisserie chicken and simple vegetables, this homemade bone broth works in the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or on the stovetop and tastes far better than store-bought.

If you’ve ever picked up a carton of stock at the grocery store and thought, “I can do better than this,” you’re absolutely right. Making your own homemade chicken broth is easier than you might think, and the flavor payoff is huge.
This recipe uses a leftover rotisserie chicken carcass (or even a whole chicken you’ve roasted yourself) to make a rich and nourishing chicken stock. Whether you simmer it low and slow on the stovetop, let it go in the crockpot, or pressure cook it in the Instant Pot, you’ll end up with liquid gold that’s perfect for everything from chicken noodle soup to weeknight casseroles.
Why You’ll Love This Rotisserie Chicken Bone Broth
- It uses what you already have. Leftover rotisserie chicken bones, a few vegetables, and water are all you need, meaning no special ingredients or extra grocery trips.
- Three easy cooking options. Make this bone broth in the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or on the stovetop, depending on what works best for your day. Options are good!
- Budget-friendly and zero waste. Turning a chicken carcass into homemade bone broth stretches your grocery dollars and keeps good food out of the trash.
- Freezer-friendly for busy weeks. This broth freezes beautifully, so you can stash it away for soups, sauces, and quick weeknight meals.
- Better flavor than store-bought. Homemade rotisserie chicken bone broth has a richer, deeper flavor than boxed broth and you control the ingredients. Try it and you'll see!
And here’s a little secret that sets this recipe apart: a splash of apple cider vinegar. It helps pull nutrients and collagen out of the bones for a richer, more flavorful stock. Don’t worry, it won’t taste vinegary at all!
Why Rotisserie Chicken Makes the Best Bone Broth
Rotisserie chicken bones are perfect for homemade bone broth because they’re already roasted, which adds deeper flavor and richer color to the broth. The roasting process also helps release collagen and nutrients from the bones more easily during simmering, giving you a silky, nourishing broth with minimal effort.
Ingredients
You don’t need anything fancy to make homemade chicken broth — just a few simple ingredients and the bones from your leftover rotisserie chicken.

- Rotisserie Chicken Carcass: The star of the show! Using a leftover rotisserie chicken adds incredible depth and richness because the bones are already roasted. You can also use bones from a whole chicken or any roasted chicken you’ve made.
- Onions: White or yellow onions add natural sweetness and body to the stock. No need to peel — just give them a rough chop.
- Carrots: A couple of carrots lend color and a hint of sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
- Celery: This humble veggie gives your broth that classic “chicken soup” aroma and flavor.
- Garlic: Adds a subtle layer of savoriness. Smash the cloves or roughly chop — no need to fuss.
- Fresh Herbs: A mix of thyme, rosemary, parsley, and bay leaves create a fragrant base. Use dried herbs if that’s what you have on hand.
- Peppercorns: Whole black peppercorns give gentle spice and depth without overpowering.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Just a splash helps extract collagen and minerals from the bones, giving your broth a silky texture and extra nutrition.
- Salt: Start light — you can always season more later once the broth has reduced.
- Water: The liquid foundation of your stock. Add enough to cover the bones and veggies, leaving room at the top of your slow cooker, stock pot, or Instant Pot.
How to Make Chicken Stock From Rotisserie Chicken
Slow Cooker (Crockpot)
Slow cooker rotisserie chicken bone broth is especially convenient because you can let it simmer overnight without babysitting it. We have places to go!

- Step 1: Add chicken bones, veggies, aromatics, and herbs to the crockpot. Pour in enough water to cover.

- Step 2: Cover with the lid and cook on low for 12–24 hours. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor.

- Step 3: Strain the liquid into a large bowl or safe container. Discard solids.
Taste and season with salt and pepper.

- Step 4: Cool slightly, then refrigerate for 2–4 hours. Skim fat from the top.

- Step 5: You've made homemade chicken broth! Use in your favorite soups, stews or sip on it.

- Step 6: Store in an airtight container or mason jars in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Farm Girl Tip
As you cook throughout the week, freeze leftover edible vegetable and herb stems and scraps in a freezer-safe bag. Use these scraps whenever you make a new batch of stock.
Save This Recipe For Later
Instant Pot Chicken Stock
- Place ingredients in a 6–8 qt Instant Pot. Add water to cover but don’t go past the max fill line.
- Pressure cook on high heat for 40 minutes. Let it do a natural release for 30 minutes (don’t use quick release).
- Remove the lid carefully. Strain broth into a large bowl.
- Season to taste, then refrigerate for 2–4 hours. Skim the fat.
Stovetop (Stock Pot Method)
- Place chicken carcass, veggies, aromatics, and herbs in a large stock pot. Cover with cold water.
- Bring just to a boil over high heat, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Cook uncovered for 6–8 hours, adding water as needed to keep bones submerged.
- Strain the liquid into a safe container, discard solids, season, and refrigerate for 2–4 hours before skimming fat.
How to Use Rotisserie Chicken Bone Broth
This rotisserie chicken bone broth is incredibly versatile and can be used anywhere you’d normally reach for boxed broth or stock. Here are a few easy ways to use it:
- Soups & Stews: Use bone broth as the base for chicken noodle soup, chicken tortilla soup, or vegetable soup for deeper flavor.
- Cooking Grains: Swap water for bone broth when cooking rice, quinoa, or couscous to add richness and extra nutrients.
- Sauces & Gravies: Bone broth works beautifully in pan sauces, gravy, and creamy casseroles where you want added depth without heaviness.
- Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Meals: Use this broth in slow cooker recipes, shredded chicken dishes instead of store-bought stock.
- Sipping Broth: Warm it up and season with a pinch of salt and pepper for a simple, comforting cup of broth.
- Freezer Meals: Bone broth is perfect for freezer soups, casseroles, and make-ahead meals — just portion it out and freeze for later.
Storage Tips
Easy portions: Freeze in cubes using ice trays, then transfer cubes to freezer-safe bags for quick use.
Fridge: Store in an airtight container or covered mason jars in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I love using these reusable jar lids.
Freezer: Transfer cooled broth to a freezer-safe bag, glass jars or souper cubes. Leave headspace for expansion. Keeps 3–4 months.
Note: see how to freeze soup in mason jars.

Variation Idea
You can easily make this recipe with leftover turkey bones instead of chicken. Simply follow the same steps using the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop, extending the cook time slightly for richer flavor. The result is a hearty turkey bone broth perfect for soups, gravies, and cozy winter meals.
FAQs
Yes. A leftover rotisserie chicken carcass is ideal for bone broth because the bones are already cooked and full of flavor. Simply simmer with vegetables, herbs, and water to create a rich homemade broth.
Yes, bone broth freezes great! Let it cool completely, then store it in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months.
I've found it's best to wait and salt the bone broth after cooking. This gives you more control, especially if you plan to use the broth in soups, sauces, or other recipes that already contain salt.
For the best flavor, simmer bone broth for at least 2–3 hours on the stovetop, 6–12 hours in the slow cooker, or 45 minutes in the Instant Pot. Longer simmer times help extract more flavor from the bones.
Soup Recipes using Rotisserie Chicken Broth:
Recipe

Rotisserie Chicken Bone Broth (Easy Homemade Recipe)
Send me this recipe!
Ingredients
- 2 white onions or yellow onions roughly chopped
- 2-3 carrots roughly chopped
- 3 stalks celery roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic smashed
- 1 leftover rotisserie chicken carcass about 5–6 lbs
- 8 sprigs thyme or 3 teaspoon dried thyme
- 4 sprigs rosemary or 2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 handful parsley or 2 tablespoon dried parsley
- Small handful black peppercorns
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- Salt to taste
- Water enough to cover
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- Add chicken, veggies, aromatics, and herbs to a crockpot. Fill with water until covered.
- Cover and cook on **low** for 12–24 hours.
- Strain the liquid, discard solids, and season to taste.
- Cool, refrigerate, and skim fat before storing.
Instant Pot
- Add all ingredients to a 6–8 qt Instant Pot. Do not exceed the max fill line.
- Cook on **High Pressure** for 40 minutes; allow a **Natural Release** for 30 minutes.
- Strain into a large bowl, season, and refrigerate before skimming.
Stovetop
- Combine all ingredients in a large stock pot. Add cold water to cover.
- Bring to a **boil** over high heat, then **simmer** gently for 6–8 hours.
- Strain, season, and refrigerate 2–4 hours before skimming fat.
Notes
Storage Tips
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container or plastic containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Transfer cooled broth to a freezer-safe bag, plastic containers, or glass jars. Leave headspace for expansion. Keeps 3–4 months.
- Easy portions: Freeze in cubes using ice trays, then transfer cubes to freezer-safe bags for quick use.
Nutrition
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. Calories and other nutritional values vary depending on which brands were used.










Rina says
Is it okay to skip skimming and consume the fat?
Laura says
Tastes yummy and it's only been in the cooker for 3 1/2 hours!
Toni says
Thank you so much for this! I love making my own bone broth! Can't wait to try this!
Erika says
This is a great homemade recipe for bone broth. So much flavor!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I Made this for a gathering and it was a hit, everyone loved it! Will definitely make it again!
Pavani says
Homemade bone broth recipe sounds just perfect - so much more nutritious and healthier than the store bought versions. Love the idea of using rotisserie chicken in here.
Marie-Charlotte Chatelain says
SO clever! We get a whole rotisserie chicken much more often than a raw bird! This recipe is perfect and comes at the perfect time! I feel a cold coming my way.
Laura says
@Marie-Charlotte Chatelain, I'm down too. So easy to just throw together! I think this recipe will be a keeper!
Toni says
Thank you so much for this! I love making my own bone broth! Can't wait to try this!
Erika says
This is a great homemade recipe for bone broth. So much flavor!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I Made this for a gathering and it was a hit, everyone loved it! Will definitely make it again!
Pavani says
Homemade bone broth recipe sounds just perfect - so much more nutritious and healthier than the store bought versions. Love the idea of using rotisserie chicken in here.
Marie-Charlotte Chatelain says
SO clever! We get a whole rotisserie chicken much more often than a raw bird! This recipe is perfect and comes at the perfect time! I feel a cold coming my way.