Canning Chicken (thinning out my hen herd)

[cowgirl]

I forgot we had a canning section here. :)


I've been busy canning a lot of stuff lately, it's just that time of the year for me.
I thin my chicken herd down before winter and can the meat and broth.

I clean the birds and soak them in ice water overnight.
Then place the cleaned birds in a big pot, cover with water and add onions, garlic, celery, thyme, basil, bay leaves, pepper corns and a bit of kosher salt.



After the meat is almost tender, I let it cool enough to handle and strain the broth...











I fill hot jars with the hot chicken meat, then top with the hot broth. Leaving 1" of headspace. Wipe the jars tops to remove any broth, then screw the hot lids on.





Into my pressure canner at 12lbs of pressure for 90 minutes.
I was adjusting the pressure in this pic.



Let the jars cool on the counter....



I have it figured out that the ratio of half chicken meat and half broth works out great for me. I can get at least two meals from each jar. I heat the chicken and broth, make a batch of noodles to throw in. It's an easy winter meal for me. :)
From these 4 birds I should get at least 24 meals.







Thanks for checking out my canned hens.

 

[meat hunter]

As always Jeanie, looks great.

 

[cowgirl]

Thanks Meat Hunter. I have been feeling like I'm a squirrel lately....stocking away for the winter.

 

[alx]

Looks so nice jeanie.This empty squirrel nest has room....

 

[pignit]

Shweeeeeet!

 

[erain]

so whats next,,, salting the pork in the crock!!! nice job jeanie. love tha being as self sufficient as poss!!! its good skills to posess!!!

 

[beer-b-q]

WOW, Is there anything you can't do?

I really need a good cook, are you available?

 

[got14u]

great post !

 

[mballi3011]

After seeing the last stuff you cooked on the campsite you have to top it off with this chicken and noodle soup. Is this in case we get sick staying in all those camp grounds trying to create some of these dishes you have been showing us over the past weeks. You are definatly are a chef of chefs on the campfire grills. I look forward to your next posting so please keep it up so my cook book keeps getting bigger.

just for teaching me and sharing your recipes.

 

[mgwerks]

Another stellar performance by Jeanie!

Confidentially, I am waiting on the spare change to buy a presure canner, as one hasn't popped up on craigslist or ebay. I'm thinking then I'll be canning high volume things like pork butt and enchiladas...



FOLKS:
Please don't try to can high-protien or low-acid foods like meats in a regular canner. Botulism is nothing to play with.

 

[badfrog]

Cowgirl,

Looks great! I have been canning my own chicken and turkey broth for a few years now, my never thought about putting meat in with it!. Everytime I roast a chicken(s) or turkey I put the leftover bones and parts in my huge stock pot and cook it down for usually 24 hrs, strain it and can it...I get at least 4 qts every time and, as you are aware, is SO much better than store bought (and cheaper

). Thanks for your post. Have you ever tried to do your own chicken noodle soup? seems like the noodles would desinegrate (sp?) in the processing.

 

[cowgirl]

Thanks Badfrog! I agree with you, it's so much better than store bought.
I leave the noodles out when canning, they do turn to mush in the processing. I make the noodles then bag and freeze them.

here's a real easy egg noodle recipe... http://cowgirlscountry.blogspot.com/...n-noodles.html


But it sure is nice having the chicken in broth on hand, I can heat it up quick and throw in some noodles for a hot meal.
http://cowgirlscountry.blogspot.com/...n-country.html

 

[badfrog]

Thanks Cowgirl... I have always used whole eggs in my pasta, but I am guessing the "more yolk" recipe gives them a richer (and more tender?) taste and texture...I am going to give your recipe a try! thanks. that Qview bowl of CNS on your blog looks GREAT!!!! can't get that out of a Campbells can!!!

 

[cowgirl]

Thanks Badfrog, hope they turn out well for you. I make these a lot when my hens are laying like crazy. Then I use the egg whites in angel food cakes.

I bet using whole eggs would be tasty too!