The Magic Poached Chicken
Poaching a chicken on a Sunday evening creates all kinds of magic, plus it means there's less dinner panic and no takeaway!
Check what's in your fridge first before you go any buy any vegetables. This is the time to use those leek and fennel tops, half tomatoes, tired herbs and slightly sad looking celery and carrots in the crisper.
Makes 1L of chicken stock, and 4-5 cups (400-500g) of shredded chicken. See tips below for dinner ideas using shredded chicken.
Ingredients 10
1 whole chicken, free-range
1 onion, brown, unpeeled
1⁄2 head garlic, unpeeled
1 carrot, roughly chopped
1 fennel, green tops only
1 leek, green tops only
1 stick celery, roughly chopped, including stalks and leaves
1⁄2 tomato, roughly chopped
1 bundle herbs, tied with kitchen string
1 tbsp black peppercorns
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Method 11
Choose a saucepan that is wide and deep enough to fit the whole and vegetables, with room to cover everything with water.
Rinse your and place it in the saucepan with the , , , , , , and .
Tie together whatever you have with kitchen string and add to the saucepan.
Cover with just enough water to submerge the .
Slowly bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to very low, so the liquid is just bubbling, and simmer for 1 hour.
Turn off the heat and allow to cool for 15 minutes.
Using tongs, remove the from the pan and place in a large bowl. Place the stock back over low heat and simmer for another 1-2 hours, occasionally skimming the scum that rises to the surface.
When the is cool enough to handle, start stripping the meat. As you're stripping the chicken, chuck the bones, skin and any bits you're not going to eat into the stock.
Strain the stock into a bowl, taste and add salt. Start with half a teaspoon adding more if needed.
Allow to cool slightly, then store in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for 3 months.
Once your shredded chicken meat is cool, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Cornersmith's tips
Shredded chicken can be used in lots of quick and easy dinners.
Add some to
a simple fried rice,
make a Vietnamese noodle salad
chicken tacos or quesadillas
pasta salad with pesto and cherry tomatoes
a chicken noodle soup
and there's nothing wrong with chicken sandwiches for dinner when you're really tired!
