Pop the ingredients for this chicken soup into the slow cooker in the morning, and it will be ready by dinner time. Add noodles at the end, if you like
Prep:15 mins
Serves 6-8
1 onion, finely chopped2 celery sticks, finely chopped2 carrots, chopped into 1.5cm pieces2 leeks, halved and sliced1 bay leaf and 3 thyme sprigs, tied together1 whole medium chicken (about 1.4kg)2l chicken stock1 lemon, juiced½ small bunch of dill or parsley, finely choppedcrusty bread, to serve (optional)
STEP 1Set your slow cooker to low. Tip in the onion, celery, carrots and leeks and nestle in the bunch of herbs. Sit the chicken on top of the veg and pour over the stock. Cook for 6-8 hours.STEP 2Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and transfer to a board. Shred the meat from the bones using two forks, then return the meat to the slow cooker, discarding the bones. Season to taste and stir through the lemon juice.STEP 3Remove and discard the bunch of herbs. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the dill or parsley. Serve with crusty bread, if you like.
