Chicken Backs

The Secret to Incredible Homemade Chicken Stock

Remember the smell of homemade chicken soup simmering on the stove? The rich aroma of chicken, onions, carrots, and herbs filling the kitchen while a big pot gently bubbles away?

That's the kind of cooking our Pasture-Raised Freedom Ranger Chicken Backs were made for.

Chicken backs are one of those humble, old-fashioned ingredients that experienced home cooks know are worth keeping in the freezer. They're packed with the bones and connective tissue that help create flavorful stock with a satisfying body.

And ours come from chickens raised right here at Fluffy Butt Farms, where our Freedom Rangers are pasture-raised and moved to fresh grass every single day.

We supplement their pasture access with NON-GMO feed and take a hands-on approach to raising our birds.

When you start your stock with our chicken backs, you're starting with chicken raised by farmers you know.

Why Our Chicken Backs Belong in Your Freezer

• Pasture-Raised Freedom Rangers: From our own chickens raised at Fluffy Butt Farms.
• Fresh Grass Every Day: Our chickens are moved daily as part of our rotational pasture practices.
• Supplemented with NON-GMO Feed: We provide supplemental NON-GMO feed alongside pasture access.
• Ideal for Homemade Stock: Bones and connective tissue contribute savory flavor and body during slow simmering.
• Versatile Kitchen Staple: Use the finished stock in soups, rice, gravies, sauces, and casseroles.
• Traditional Nose-to-Tail Cooking: Make delicious use of more of the chicken instead of letting valuable parts go to waste.

Five Delicious Ways to Use Chicken Backs

1. Old-Fashioned Homemade Chicken Stock

Simmer chicken backs with onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Strain for a deeply savory stock that's perfect for everything from soup to gravy.

2. Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

Start with homemade stock, then add tender chicken, carrots, celery, onions, and egg noodles. Finish with fresh parsley for a comforting family favorite.

3. Rich Chicken Gravy

Use your homemade chicken stock to make flavorful gravy for roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, or homemade biscuits.

4. Farmhouse Chicken & Rice

Replace plain water with homemade chicken stock when cooking rice. Add sautéed vegetables, herbs, and shredded chicken for a simple, satisfying meal.

5. Creamy Chicken Pot Pie

Use your stock as the foundation for a savory pot pie filling with chicken, carrots, peas, onions, and a buttery crust.

How to Make Homemade Chicken Stock

1. Start with your chicken backs. Place thawed chicken backs in a large stockpot. For deeper roasted flavor, you can roast them first at 425°F until nicely browned.

2. Add vegetables and herbs. Add roughly chopped onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Cover with cold water.

3. Bring to a gentle simmer. Heat until the liquid begins to simmer, then reduce the heat. Skim off foam as needed.

4. Let the flavor develop. Gently simmer for approximately 3–5 hours, adding water if necessary. Longer cooking can develop additional flavor, but avoid a vigorous boil.

5. Strain carefully. Remove the backs and vegetables, then strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer. Discard the cooked bones. If you'd like, pick off any usable meat before discarding the carcasses.

6. Cool and store safely. Cool the stock promptly using shallow containers or an ice bath. Refrigerate and use within 3–4 days, or freeze in convenient portions for later meals.

Farm kitchen tip: For a more concentrated stock, use less water or gently reduce the strained stock after cooking. For a lighter broth, add more water to suit your taste.

Why We Raise Our Chickens on Fresh Pasture

At Fluffy Butt Farms, raising chickens on pasture means more than giving them access to the outdoors.

We move our Freedom Ranger chickens onto fresh grass every single day, giving them regular access to new ground and opportunities to forage.

That daily movement takes extra time and attention, but it's part of our commitment to raising poultry in a way that reflects our farming values.

A Humble Cut That Makes Something Wonderful

Chicken backs might not be the star of the dinner plate, but they can be the foundation of some of the most delicious meals you'll make.

From hearty chicken noodle soup to homemade gravy and rich stock for the freezer, they're a reminder that good food often begins with simple ingredients and a little patience.

Ready to put a pot of homemade stock on the stove? Add our Pasture-Raised Freedom Ranger Chicken Backs to your next Fluffy Butt Farms order.

Real Food Takes Time.