What to Do With Leftover Chicken Stock: 36 Delicious Ways to Use It Up

Chicken stock is a versatile ingredient that can transform dishes by adding depth of flavor. Many recipes call for chicken broth or stock, but what do you do when you have leftover chicken stock after making a recipe? With a little creativity, there are endless possibilities for using up extra homemade or store-bought chicken stock.

Soups, Stews and Chilis

Chicken stock is a natural base for soups, chilis and stews Using stock instead of water adds a savory flavor that makes these dishes more satisfying Some classic examples include chicken noodle soup, chicken tortilla soup, beef stew, chili con carne, and vegetable beef soup. Simply replace all or part of the water in your favorite recipe with chicken stock for a flavor boost.

Risottos

Risotto is a creamy Italian rice dish that is made by gradually adding hot stock to arborio rice as it cooks, absorbing the liquid and developing its signature creaminess. Chicken stock adds a richness that takes risotto to the next level. Try making risotto with mushrooms, asparagus, shrimp, or butternut squash using chicken stock for outstanding flavor.

Braising and Poaching

Chicken stock is ideal for braising meat or poaching delicate proteins like chicken breasts or fish fillets. The stock keeps the items moist while infusing them with flavor. Braise chicken legs or pork shoulder in stock or poach salmon or halibut fillets in stock with aromatics like garlic, parsley and lemon.

Cooking Grains and Beans

Using chicken stock instead of water to cook grains like rice, quinoa barley or oats adds a savory depth to these staple side dishes. The same goes for cooking beans and lentils from scratch—the stock boosts flavor while the beans cook.

Gravies and Sauces

One of the easiest ways to transform pan drippings, reductions or roux into rich, luxurious gravies and sauces is to add chicken stock. Deglaze a pan used to roast meat or poultry with a bit of stock. Whisk stock into a flour-butter roux to create a velvety sauce. Thin out a heavy cream sauce with a splash of stock.

Casseroles and Savory Pies

Casseroles and savory pies like chicken pot pie rely on a sauce or gravy to add moisture and tie together the filling ingredients. Chicken stock is the ideal liquid for making the base for these hearty baked dishes.

Glazing and Braising Vegetables

Simmering vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower or kale in chicken stock infuses them with flavor while cooking them to tender perfection. Reduce the stock to make a glaze for roasting veggies too.

Dressings, Dips and Spreads

Adding a bit of chicken stock to creamy dressings, dips and spreads imparts a hit of savoriness. Stir a couple tablespoons of stock into ranch dressing, spinach artichoke dip, hummus or chicken salad to ratchet up the flavor.

Pasta Sauces

Stock is a great way to add moisture and savoriness to pasta sauces without adding a lot of fat. Stir chicken stock into tomato sauce, Alfredo sauce or pesto to enhance the flavor. Use stock to thin out heavy cream or cheese-based sauces without diluting the richness.

Cooking Beans, Grains and Vegetables

Swap out plain water for chicken stock when cooking beans, grains or vegetables like rice, quinoa, oats, lentils, barley or farro. The stock adds a savory depth to these staple ingredients while cooking them.

Slow Cooker Dishes

The slow cooker is the perfect way to transform chicken stock into concentrated, intensely flavored sauces and gravies. Braise chicken thighs in stock or use it as the base of stews, chilis and curries made in the crockpot.

Slaws and Potato Salads

Stir a bit of chicken stock into the dressing for slaws, potato salads and pasta salads. The stock adds a subtle savoriness that enhances the other ingredients.

Open-Faced Sandwiches

Drizzle leftover turkey, roast beef or other sliced meats with warm chicken gravy made with stock for open-faced sandwiches. The gravy adds moisture and ties the sandwich together.

Baked Goods

Add a couple tablespoons of chicken stock to bread or muffin batter in place of some of the water or milk. Or brush chicken stock on dinner rolls before baking for a sheen and extra flavor. Stock can also replace some of the liquid in quick breads like banana bread or zucchini bread.

With these ideas, you can transform leftover chicken stock into all kinds of easy, delicious dishes. Keep a stash of stock in the freezer so you always have some on hand. Homemade stock is ideal, but store-bought works well too. Chicken stock is a versatile pantry staple that adds flavor and moisture to recipes.