Chicken Feet - Pasture Raised

Our pasture-raised chickens are raised the way nature intended — free to roam lush, shaded pastures throughout North Central Florida. Fed a natural diet and allowed to grow at a healthy, natural pace, our birds produce tender, flavorful meat you can feel good about serving your family. Humanely raised and carefully harvested, our chickens reflect our commitment to local sustainability and responsible farming, bringing truly fresh, wholesome poultry from our community directly to yours.

Approximate weight

Our Favorite Recipe:

Chicken feet are one of the richest natural sources of collagen. When slow-cooked, the collagen breaks down into gelatin, which supports skin, joints, gut health, hair, and nails.

This recipe focuses on extracting maximum collagen, not just flavor.

 Ingredients

• 2–3 lbs chicken feet

• 10 cups water

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar ⭐ (very important)

• 1 onion (halved)

• 4 garlic cloves

• 1–2 carrots

• 2 celery stalks

• 1 tsp salt (add more later)

• Optional: ginger slices (anti-inflammatory)

 Step 1: Clean

1. Trim nails  ( with kitchen shears) 

2. Pour boiling water over them for 5 minutes, then rinse. 

Step 2: Start the Collagen Extraction

1. Place feet in a large pot.

2. Add water and apple cider vinegar.

3. Let sit 20–30 minutes before heating.

👉 The vinegar helps pull collagen and minerals from the bones and connective tissue.

 Step 3: Slow Simmer (MOST IMPORTANT)

1. Bring gently to a boil.

2. Reduce to very low simmer.

3. Skim foam from top.

4. Add vegetables.

Simmer:

• Minimum: 4 hours

• Best: 8–12 hours

• Maximum collagen: 18–24 hours (slow cooker ideal)

Low heat = clearer, more gelatin-rich broth.

 Step 4: Strain & Cool

• Strain liquid.

• Refrigerate.

✅ When cold, it should turn jelly-like — that means high collagen.

 How to Use for Collagen Benefits

• Drink 1 cup warm daily

• Use as soup base

• Cook rice with it

• Add lemon + salt for sipping broth

TRICK #1 — Use LESS Water (Most Important)

Most people add too much water.

✅ Water should cover feet by only 1 inch.

More water = diluted collagen.
Less water = thick, powerful gelatin.

TRICK #2 — Add One of These Boosters

Chicken feet are great, but combining tissues multiplies collagen:

Add ANY one:

• 4–6 chicken wings

• Chicken backs/necks

• A few beef tendons (EXTREME collagen boost)

This dramatically increases gelatin.

TRICK #3 — Acid Extraction

Add at the start:

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice

Let sit 20–30 minutes before heating.

👉 Acid pulls collagen and minerals out of cartilage.

 TRICK #4 — Barely Simmer (Never Hard Boil)

You want:

• tiny lazy bubbles

• surface barely moving

Hard boiling breaks gelatin structure.

LOW heat for 12–18 hours = maximum extraction.

 TRICK #5 — Reduce at the End (Power Move)

After cooking:

1. Strain broth.

2. Return liquid to pot.

3. Simmer uncovered 30–60 minutes.

You are concentrating collagen.

This is how chefs make ultra-rich stock.