Chicken Stock vs Chicken Broth: Difference and Comparison

Around 90 percent of the total human population devours non-veg. This could be either fish meat, chicken meat, or seafood. Chicken meat is the most eaten and preferred non-vegetarian food.

There are two forms of chicken meat. One is the chicken stock, and the other is the chicken broth. The later sections will focus on the difference between the two. 

Key Takeaways

1. Simmering chicken bones make chicken stock, while the chicken broth is made by simmering chicken meat.
2. Stock has a richer flavor and thicker texture due to the collagen from the bones, while the broth is lighter and thinner.
3. Stock is ideal for sauces and gravies, while broth is more suitable for soups and stews.

Chicken Stock vs Chicken Broth

Chicken stock is made by simmering chicken bones and vegetables for an extended period, up to 24 hours, extracting collagen and gelatin from the bones, resulting in a flavorful liquid. Chicken broth is made by simmering chicken meat and vegetables for a shorter time, a few hours.

Chicken stock builds strong muscles, hair, bone, and skin. It directs to a savoury that forms the basis of several dishes like soups, sauces, and stews.

Simmering chicken bones, prepare chicken stock in either wine or water for a long. It is a delicious delicacy that is rich and royal in taste and flavour.

Chicken broth is savoury cooking that focuses mainly on chicken meat. It is prepared by simmering chicken meat in water along with a few veggies for a short duration of time.

It helps fight osteoarthritis and protects joints. It can be had alone but is normally preferred to prepare gravies, soups, curries, and sauces.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Chicken Stock	Chicken Broth
Significance	Chicken stock is majorly made of bony parts.	Chicken broth consists of chicken meat.
Also Called	Bone broth is another name used for chicken stock.	Bouillon is another name used for chicken broth.
Nutrition facts	One cup of chicken stock contains 12 calories, one gram of protein, and zero grams of fat.	One cup of chicken broth contains 30- 80 calories, 4.7- 6 grams of protein, and 0.2- 2.7 grams of fat.
Ingredients	Chicken, organic vegetables, herbs, and water.	Dehydrated chicken stock, dehydrated veggies, salt, and fat.
Shelf Life	It has a shelf life of four days when refrigerated.	It can be frozen for 2- 3 months.

What is Chicken Stock?

Chicken stock brings extra flavour to several recipes. The delicacy is made of bony parts and forms the basis of many dishes like soups, curries, sauces, and gravies. It is garnished with aromatics like mirepoix. 

Chicken stock is prepared using the following ingredients:

• Bones – chicken stock gets its flavour from the bone marrow, cartilage, and connective tissue. Collagen is released from the connective tissue, which later turns into gelatin (which thickens the stock’s texture). 
• Meat – meat attached to the bones is used as an ingredient in various dishes.  
• Mirepoix – a combination of cereal, onions, carrots, and other vegetables.
• Herbs – these include bay leaves, parsley, a spring of thyme, and other herbs. 
• Spices 

Stocks are made of chicken bones. These bones release a high level of gelatin which increases the texture of the chicken stock. The chicken stock needs to be cooked for a longer duration.

Bone broth or chicken stock promotes several health benefits.

It helps clear the nasal passage, reduces inflammation, boosts the immune system, improves the joints, skin, and hair, and promotes healthy bones and teeth due to magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus levels.

The popularity level of chicken stock rose quite high in 2014 through a famous book called “Nourishing Broth”. 

What is Chicken Broth?

Chicken broth is an extremely nutritious food item. The delicious food is mainly made of meat and is the basis of several dishes like curries, sauces, and gravies. It is eaten with seasoning or garnishing.

Chicken broth is prepared using the following ingredients:

• Chicken stock – releases the amino acid cysteine, which helps cure respiratory problems.
• Salt – for flavouring the dish.
• Natural flavouring – enhances the flavour of the curry or soup.
• Chicken fat
• Water – it should be preferably hot or lukewarm.
• Yeast extract – it can be used as food additives or flavouring.
• Carrot juice concentrate
• Onion juice concentrate
• Celery juice concentrate

Chicken broth or bouillon contains approximately 30-80 calories, 4.7-6 grams of protein, and 0.2-2.7 grams of fat. Per 100 grams of bouillon contains 13 mg of cholesterol, 309 mg of potassium, and 23,875 mg of sodium.

The broth needs to be cooked for a short duration.

Bouillon or chicken stock helps provide one with heat, hydration, and nutrients. It promotes weight management. Bouillon is full of minerals and vitamins. 

Other health benefits are immunity against flu, the common cold, good poising, and other ailments. Chicken broth is an anti-inflammatory and anti-regulating agent.

It contains an amino acid cysteine which helps reduce upper respiratory problems by thinning out lung mucus.

Main Differences Between Chicken Stock and Chicken Broth

1. Bone broth is another name for chicken stock, whereas chicken broth is referred to as bouillon.
2. Chicken stock is made up of bony parts, while on the other hand, chicken broth is made up of meat.
3. Chicken stock has minimal or absolutely no fat percentage, whereas chicken broth has 0.2-2.7 grams of fat.
4. The shelf life of the chicken stock is around 4 days, and the shelf life of the chicken broth is around 2-3 months.
5. Chicken stock contains comparatively low calories, whereas chicken broth is quite high-calorie. 

References

1. https://www.koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO200819463918279.page
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119488251

Last Updated : 22 June, 2023