Are you fond of chicken soup or any other recipes with chicken? Then I bet you’ve already used chicken stock and bouillon in your recipes, whether to make your dish even more flavourful or just as a base for delicious dishes.
But have you ever tried cooking with a chicken base? Or do you even know what chicken base is and how to make it?
When I ask this question to my friends, and if you get to see the look on their faces, you will see how confused they are.
This is why I have chosen this topic for my article today. If you haven’t heard about chicken base yet, don’t worry!
This article will tell you all about the chicken base and even teach you how to make one at home.
So, are you ready? Then please keep on reading below!
What Is Chicken Base?
It is very important to know what chicken base is and how to make it, so let’s go first with the definition. Chicken base is a form of paste that can create a base for soups, stocks, and gravies. It is used to add a chicken flavor to different dishes. I like how it provides a thick consistency and darker color, so it is an ideal ingredient whenever you are making sauces, chowders, gravies, skillet meals, stews, and noodle soups.
It can even be used as liquid flavorings as well. If you want, you can also use this as a rub to your flavorsome marinating of meats.
Find the best: Meat Injector.
You can quickly buy some chicken base from your local supermarket, but you can also make one right at your home. Don’t worry, it is very easy, and the ingredients are very common.
Chicken Base, Chicken Bouillon, Chicken Stock – Are They Just All The Same?
“So there’s chicken base, then what’s chicken bouillon? What’s chicken stock? They are just all the same, right?”
Well, you’re wrong! Though the three ingredients I mentioned above can provide the same flavor, they are very different from each other, and this is because of the “richness” it provides.
Chicken bouillon is those small cubes widely sold in the market to be used as additional flavor to your soups, stews, and sauces. It is just actually a chicken stock in its dehydrated form.
Well, the main difference between a base and bouillon is that the latter one is significantly saltier.
Chicken stock, in contrast, is a liquid that offers rich flavors of the chicken. It is often made from the parts of a whole chicken, including the bones. It also contains spices, herbs, and vegetables like salt, onions, garlic, pepper, celery, and carrots. The main thing that makes chicken stock different from a base and bouillon is its liquid form.
Well, the chicken base is being considered to be the concentrated form of chicken stock. Normally, you will find a chicken base in its paste form because it has been derived from a liquid ingredient, but the chicken base also often comes in a cube or even powder form. Though chicken base in a paste form provides richer flavor and even contains lesser sodium.
Anyway, just in case, there will be instances wherein you will find yourself making a certain recipe that requires a chicken base, but you don’t have any, well, that there’s nothing to worry about. It is quite easy to substitute chicken base with chicken bouillon or chicken stock. The results will be just the same as long as you are doing it right; take note that every recipe is considered different, so there will be basic math needed.
How To Make Chicken Base?
What’s great about the chicken base is that it is very easy to make. You can check out the simple steps I’ve listed down below if you want to make your very own chicken base.
What You Will Need
- One whole chicken
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onion
- Garlic
- Pepper
- Bay Leaves
- Salt
- Cheesecloth
How To Make a Chicken Base
Step 1: Make A Stock
First thing first, we need to make some chicken stock. This is very easy! All you have to do is to boil a pot of water. While you are waiting for it to boil, why don’t we start preparing the ingredients I have mentioned above, shall we? Chop up the carrots, celery, garlic, and onions.
Step 2: Add Chicken, Vegetables, Herbs and Spices.
If the water has now come to a boil, start putting all the ingredients in the pot, including the one whole chicken, vegetables, herbs, and spices.
Step 3: Let it simmer to reduce the stock
Allow the water, as well as all the ingredients, to simmer. Wait until a significant amount of water, or at least about a third of it, has been reduced. Stir in the ingredients from time to time so that they won’t stick to the sides of your pot.
Take note that this whole process might take a few hours for the ingredients to blend well together as well as the reduction you are left with will be filled with all the necessary flavors.
Step 4: Keep it in the fridge
Now that your stock has finally been reduced, you will have to store it in the fridge. But before doing that, you have to chop up and debone the chicken. In this way, the tasty bites will be included in your base. Then you are now ready to cool the reduced stock into the fridge.
Step 5: Get and store your homemade chicken base.
After few moments, take it out and check if the fat has already separated from the rest of the mixture. Take out the layer of the fat that has settled on top of the mixture, then press the rest of the mixture through your cheesecloth; this will allow you to make a fine chicken base paste.
Store the paste in a clean and airtight jar to seal all the flavors and keep it in the fridge. Your freshly made chicken-based can be stocked up to three months in the fridge.
Final Thought
Now that you know what chicken base is and how to make it, you can start using it in your dishes. It will give your dish a fuller and richer flavor. I must say it is one of the best ways to liven up your dishes. So go ahead and start cooking your culinary masterpieces.
Anyway, if you still have any more questions about the chicken base, leave it in the comments below, and I will try to get back to you and soon as I can. Don’t forget to hit like and share as well.