As winter descends and temperatures drop, the threat of viral infections looms large. Cold and flu season brings with it a heightened risk of illness, making it essential to fortify our immune defences. Amidst the seasonal chill, there's comfort in knowing that a nourishing bowl of chicken soup not only warms the body but also provides a boost to immune health. Packed with wholesome ingredients and immune-boosting nutrients, this recipe offers a comforting remedy to ward off winter viruses and keep you healthy throughout the colder months!

My favourite chicken soup for when I'm feeling under the weather! My tip is to squeeze lots and lots of fresh lemon on the top!

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken

• 2 onions

• 4 carrots

• 4 celery stalks (including the tops)

• Olive oil

• Garlic

• A thumb-sized piece of ginger

• 3 bay leaves

• Salt & pepper

• Lemon (whole lemon for squeezing, adjust to taste)

• Orzo or rice

• Chilli flakes (optional)

Method:

1. In a large pot, place the whole chicken and add enough water to cover it. Bring to a boil, ensuring to skim off any foam that rises to the surface for a clearer broth.

2. Roughly chop half of the carrots, onions, and celery, and add them to the pot along with salt and pepper. Simmer for 1-2 hours until the chicken is fully cooked.

3. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it along with the vegetables from the pot. Drain and reserve the broth. Shred the chicken and discard the cooked vegetables.

4. In the same pot, heat olive oil and sauté the diced onion, garlic, ginger, carrots, and celery (including the tops) until fragrant and translucent.

5. Return the reserved broth to the pot, along with bay leaves and chilli flakes if desired. Add rice or orzo and simmer until the grains are cooked.

6. Once the grains are cooked, add the shredded chicken back into the pot.

7. Serve the soup with a generous squeeze of lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste