Are Chicken Feet Good for Bone Broth?

Chicken feet are an underused and often thrown away part of the chicken that can make bone broth much healthier. At first, the thought of using chicken feet might not appeal to you, but they are full of collagen and can be used to make a healthy, gelatinous broth. This article talks about the benefits of using chicken feet in bone broth and gives you ideas on how to make your own chicken foot broth at home.

Why Use Chicken Feet for Broth?

Chicken feet are rich in collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid – compounds that support joint health and skin elasticity. When simmered for several hours in water, the collagen from the feet gets broken down into gelatin, which gives the resulting broth a silky texture and provides the following health benefits

• Joint support – The collagen contains amino acids like glycine and proline that can help rebuild cartilage and treat arthritis. Consuming collagen may improve joint mobility and reduce inflammation.

• Gut healing – Gelatin can coat and soothe the intestinal lining potentially helping conditions like leaky gut. The amino acids may also benefit the mucous membranes.

• Skin health – Consuming collagen may increase skin elasticity, hydration, and production of new collagen fibers. This leads to firmer, youthful looking skin.

• Sleep and mood: Glycine, which is found in collagen, is a neurotransmitter that helps people feel calm and sleepy. Collagen may also boost serotonin levels to improve mood.

• Injury recovery – Collagen provides the building blocks for repairing damaged tissues like bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments after an injury.

Chicken feet provide all these nutritional perks for a very low cost, since they are often discarded or sold cheaply by farms and butchers. Making broth from chicken feet allows you to use the whole animal and reduce waste.

Tips for Making Chicken Feet Broth

Making your own nourishing chicken foot broth is simple with just a few tips:

• Use chicken feet that were raised on pasture. Choose feet from chickens that were free to roam and eat grass, which means the bones and collagen are healthier. Avoid conventionally farmed chicken feet.

• Blanch the feet first – Briefly boil the feet before making the full broth to help remove impurities and fat from the skin. Drain, rinse, and then add to the pot.

• Simmer for 6-24 hours – A long cooking time, anywhere from 6 hours to 1 day, extracts the most collagen, gelatin, and minerals from the bones and feet.

• Add veggies for flavor – Mirepoix aromatics like onions, carrots, and celery enhance the broth’s flavor. You can also add herbs, garlic, and spices. Strain out the solids after.

• Use a pressure cooker—this cuts down on the time it takes to simmer by a lot. Cook for 4-6 hours on low pressure.

• Refrigerate for use – Once cooled, store broth in the fridge up to 5 days or freeze for several months. The collagen solidifies into gelatin when chilled.

• Drink on its own – Sip the nutrient-dense broth as a snack or light meal. You can also use it as the base for soups, stews, gravies, or sauces.

Making Chicken Foot Broth at Home

Follow this simple recipe to make ~1 gallon of chicken foot broth right at home:

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds chicken feet, rinsed
• 2 quarts water
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 5 peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. If desired, blanch chicken feet in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
2. In a large pot, combine chicken feet, water, onions, carrots, celery, peppercorns, bay leaves, garlic, vinegar, and salt.
3. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low and simmer for 6-24 hours, uncovered.
4. After cooking, strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve. Discard solids.
5. Allow broth to cool fully. Then transfer to storage containers and refrigerate until gelatinized.
6. Skim off any hardened fat before use. Broth keeps 5 days refrigerated or 6 months frozen.

The long simmering time extracts collagen and creates a broth full of health-promoting gelatin. Add sea salt, fresh herbs, or spices to taste. Sipping this nourishing chicken foot broth is an easy way to gain more collagen in your diet and improve gut health, skin health, and joint function.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are chicken feet safe to eat?

Yes, chicken feet are safe to consume. Ensure they come from a reputable source and avoid eating raw chicken feet. Properly cooking them eliminates any potential pathogens. Many cultures around the world consume chicken feet.

Do you have to peel the skin off chicken feet?

No, peeling the skin is optional. Leaving it on adds more collagen to the broth. If you want to remove it, blanch the feet briefly in boiling water which helps loosen the skin for peeling.

Why does my chicken foot broth smell bad?

A slight odor is normal, but an overpowering smell could mean the feet were not cleaned properly before cooking. Make sure to rinse and scrub the feet well. Boiling them first helps remove impurities. Adding salt, bay leaves, parsley, and other aromatics can also help reduce odors.

How much collagen is in chicken feet?

Chicken feet contain a very high collagen content of about 6.6 grams per 100 grams. Collagen makes up 50-60% of their tissue. That’s far more than collagen in other parts like chicken breast (0.9 g per 100g) or thighs (1.2g).

Can I use a pressure cooker for chicken feet stock?

Yes, pressure cookers are a great tool for making chicken foot broth more quickly. Cook on low pressure for 4-6 hours. Allow for natural release rather than quick release. Strain as usual before use.

How long does chicken feet broth last in the fridge or freezer?

Refrigerated broth keeps for 4-5 days. For longer storage, freeze broth for 6 months. Make sure to chill fully so the collagen solidifies into gelatin first. Freeze broth in portions for easy use later.

Conclusion

Chicken feet are an affordable, nutritious addition to bone broth. Their high collagen content makes them ideal for creating a broth full of gut-healing gelatin that also benefits your skin, joints, and sleep. Follow the tips here to easily make your own batch at home. Just a small daily serving of this mineral and protein-rich chicken foot broth can promote overall wellness. Give chicken feet a try in your next broth!