Gather chicken bones or a whole chicken, water, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and salt
Place the chicken or bones in a large pot
Add chopped onion, carrots, celery, and garlic
Add bay leaves and peppercorns
Cover with cold water
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat
Reduce to a low simmer
Skim off foam and impurities from the surface
Simmer for 2 to 4 hours for broth
Add salt near the end of cooking
Remove from heat
Strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer
Discard solids
Cool the broth
Refrigerate or freeze for storage