– 1 chicken carcass, including loose bones and cartilage (You can also use a whole raw chicken) – 3 carrots, washed, unpeeled, and roughly chopped – 1 onion, unpeeled, roughly chopped – 5 garlic cloves, unpeeled – 4 stalks celery, washed and roughly chopped – 1 stalk leeks, washed and roughly chopped (optional) – 1 tsp black peppercorns – 1 bay leaf – 4 stems fresh parsley OR 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning – 1 tsp salt, optional – 8 cups water