Poached chicken & vegetable soup

Nutritional Information - Amount per serving:

Calories462kcal

Carbs20.5g

Sugar5.9g

Fat24.9g

Saturates6.9g

Protein36.4g

Ingredients

1.6 kg whole higher-welfare chicken

4 carrots, peeled and sliced

1 heart celery, sliced, yellow leaves reserved

12 new potatoes, peeled

a few sprigs fresh thyme

2 large handfuls peas

1 leek, washed and shredded

1 small bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, leaves picked and chopped

Method

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.

by Jamie Oliver