Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth

There are few things in life as soul-soothing as a steaming mug of homemade bone broth. And when you can whip up that goodness in your Instant Pot in a fraction of the time? Game. Changer.

This Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth is rich, silky, nourishing, and makes you feel like you’ve just wrapped yourself in the warmest, fluffiest blanket on a cold day. It’s perfect for sipping straight from a mug, and it takes any soup or stew you make from “mmm good” to “holy-wow-I’m-a-kitchen-goddess.”

I mean, come on…bone broth is basically liquid gold. And yes, I’m calling it bomb (because it is). I don’t kid around about things like this.

The best part? You get to enjoy Dutch Oven Roasted Chicken or Air Fryer Whole Chicken first (hello, crispy skin + juicy chicken). Then you use the bones to make this broth. Double win.

And unlike traditional stovetop or slow cooker versions that take 12+ hours (like my Crockpot Chicken Broth or Chicken Feet Bone Broth), the Instant Pot cuts that way down to about 3 hours. Three hours where you can nap, binge Netflix, or pretend you’re working very hard while actually scrolling Instagram.

Bonus: You can tell your friends it took all day. I won’t spill your secret.

Why This Recipe Works

• Quick & easy: Rich bone broth in 3 hours instead of 12+.
• Flavor-packed: Bones + veggies + pressure = liquid gold.
• Versatile: Sip it straight, use in soups, stews, rice, braising—you name it.
• Make-ahead friendly: Freezes beautifully for up to a year.

What is My Take on Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth?

My take? Everyone needs this in their freezer. It’s one of those “how did I live without this?” recipes. I always keep bone broth cubes stashed away for soups, stews, gravies, or those nights I just want to sip something warm and comforting.

It feels luxurious, but it’s honestly one of the most frugal things you can make. You’re literally turning what many people toss out (chicken bones) into something ridiculously delicious and nourishing. That’s kitchen magic.

Now, some of you may be wondering whether chicken bone broth heals the gut. Well, I can’t tell you for sure—I’m no doctor—but bone broth is loaded with collagen, glycine, and amino acids, which are often said to help with inflammation of the gut. In fact, it’s been recommended to sip about 8 ounces a day if you’re looking for that kind of benefit.

All I know is this: it makes me feel amazing, it’s cozy and comforting, and it tastes downright delicious. I’ve actually been drinking it every day for weeks and am absolutely loving it. And honestly, why waste money on store-bought when you can make this rich, golden broth at home with just a chicken carcass and a few veggies? Homemade wins every single time.

Make it a Meal

This broth is the base of so many amazing recipes. Try it in:

• Instant Pot Chicken Pho
• Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
• Creamy Tortellini Soup
• Chicken Curry Stew

Other fun ways to use it:

• Cook rice in it instead of water (flavor explosion!).
• Steam veggies in it.
• Braise meats with it.
• Or just sip it straight from a mug with a sprinkle of salt and pepper—like nature’s coffee.

Want more variety? Switch gears and make Beef Bone Broth in your slow cooker.

Jump to:

• Why This Recipe Works
• What is My Take on Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth?
• Make it a Meal
• What Is the Difference Between Bone Broth and Stock?
• The Ingredients in Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth
• How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth
• Expert Tips
• Common Questions
• Storing Instructions
• Recipe
• 💬 Comments

What Is the Difference Between Bone Broth and Stock?

Well, bone broth and stock are essential the same thing - the process of simmering bones and over the long term to get nutrients and collagen. What differs is the time. Bone broth is typically simmered for many hours, while stock is simmered for less time. Regular chicken broth is typically made with just meat, vegetables and aromatics, and has a much lighter texture and flavor.

The Ingredients in Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth

The full list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Best Bones for Bone Broth

Any chicken bones will work for this chicken bone broth recipe. I typically save the carcass from a chicken I've roasted, and I also save the bones from any recipe where I use bone-in chicken (i.e. legs, thighs, wings, etc.).

When you make this whole Moroccan Roasted Chicken or this whole Indian Spiced Roasted Chicken, be sure to save the carcasses for use in this bone broth!

You could also make this with pork, turkey (I love this Instant Pot Turkey Bone Broth), beef, lamb, veal, and any other meat you can think of. I recommend looking for large bones, and also smaller bones with a little meat on them. The meat helps to add a little extra flavor to the broth.

You can add whatever vegetables you'd like to enhance the flavor of the broth. I stick with a simple onion, a few carrots and a couple stalks of celery.

The apple cider vinegar called for in this recipe helps to break down the bones so you get that jello consistency. Which we want. Meat jello. Yum.

Note that I do not add salt to this bone broth recipe. When I use this chicken bone broth in other recipes, I like to adjust the salt as necessary for specific recipes. If you are drinking it straight, you will want to salt it to taste, otherwise it will taste bland.

**I don't recommend adding salt during the cooking process as the salt concentration becomes very high.

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth

Combine all the ingredients in the Instant Pot. Cover the bones and vegetables with water, plus another 2-3" if you have room in the Instant Pot. Note I use a 6 quart Instant Pot for this recipe. For an 8 quart Instant Pot, you may want to add another ½ lbs. of bones, or just use less water.

How Long Do You Cook Chicken Bone Broth?

Cook on high pressure for 3 hours. Use the quick release to release the pressure.

Expert Tips

1. If you're in a hurry, you can cook for just 2 hours, I just prefer 3 to get a little extra richness from the broth;
2. Use a mix of large bones with cartilage and smaller bones containing some meat for the best flavor. A full chicken carcass is best for this.
3. I use a 6 quart Instant Pot for this recipe. For an 8 quart Instant Pot, you may want to add another ½ lbs. of bones, or add less water.
4. You can also add whatever vegetables you'd like to enhance the flavor of the broth.
5. Note that I do not add salt to this bone broth recipe. When I use this chicken bone broth in other recipes, I like to adjust the salt as necessary for specific recipes. If you are drinking it straight, you will want to salt it to taste, otherwise it will taste bland. I don't recommend adding salt during the cooking process as the salt concentration becomes very high.

Common Questions

Storing Instructions

• Fridge: Store in jars or containers up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Cool slightly, then pour into ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer cubes to a freezer bag and store up to 1 year.
• You can also freeze in 1-cup portions for easy use. Avoid freezing the whole batch unless you plan to thaw it all at once.

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Did you make this Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth? Rate the recipe and leave me a comment to let me know how it turned out!

Recipe