poached chicken and vegetable soup

method

A filling, delicious dish that's super healthy too.

Wash your chicken in cold water and pat dry with kitchen paper. Place the chicken, carrots, celery, potatoes and thyme into a large, deep pan and pour in 3 litres of water or enough to cover the chicken.

Simmer on a medium heat for 1½ hours or until the chicken is cooked through.

Remove the chicken from the pan and strain the broth. Save the veg for later. Put the broth back on a high heat and allow to reduce for 15 minutes until there’s about 2 litres left.

Meanwhile, tear the cooked chicken into long chunks. Once the broth has reduced, throw the vegetables back in the pan with the peas, leeks and chicken. Simmer for a further 5 minutes, then remove the sprigs of thyme.

Serve in warm bowls sprinkled with chopped parsley and the celery leaves.

Tip: The chicken is the star ingredient so use the best you can get your hands on.

serves: 4

ingredients

• 1 x 1.6kg whole chicken, preferably higher welfare
• 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 celery heart, sliced, yellow leaves reserved
• 12 new potatoes, peeled
• a few sprigs of fresh thyme
• 2 large handfuls of peas
• 1 leek, washed and shredded
• a small bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley, leaves picked and chopped