Directions

1. Place chicken parts in an 8-quart stockpot. Add enough water to cover by 1 inch (about 3 quarts). Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, using a ladle to skim any impurities and fat that rise to the surface.
2. Add carrots, celery, onions, bay leaf, and peppercorns and reduce heat to a bare simmer. Cook, skimming surface frequently, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours.
3. Line a sieve with cheesecloth set over a large bowl; strain stock through lined sieve. Discard solids.
4. If using stock immediately, skim fat from surface and use as desired, or set bowl of stock in an ice-water bath and let cool completely. Transfer cooled stock to an airtight container; cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours to allow fat to accumulate at the top. Lift off fat and discard before using or storing. Stock can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen up to 3 months; thaw completely in refrigerator before using.