VEGETABLE AND CHICKEN SOUP RECIPES

1. 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.
2. Simmer on a medium heat for 1½ hours or until the chicken is cooked through.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Serve in warm bowls sprinkled with chopped parsley and the celery leaves.

Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat, add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add the leftover carrots, parsnips and potatoes and cook for a further 5 minutes, adding the garlic and most of the thyme for the final minute.

Add the chicken stock and the chicken and cook, covered, for 5-10 minutes, until the chicken is piping hot. Stir in the lemon juice. Using a slotted spoon, remove about half the vegetables and chicken to a bowl and set aside.

Using a stick blender, whizz the soup in the pan until smooth (or blend in a food processor), then return the reserved chicken and vegetables to the pan and heat through. Serve in bowls with a dollop of crème fraîche and the remaining thyme scattered on top, with pieces of baguette on the side.