Step 1

Wash chicken inside and out, making sure gut cavity is clean. Place whole chicken, thyme, carrot, celery, onion, garlic, black peppercorns and salt in a large pot and pour over stock and water to just cover. Cover with a lid and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 1 hour or until chicken is cooked through (check by cutting between the drum and thigh with the tip of a sharp knife).

Step 2

Remove chicken from pot and set aside. Strain stock into another large pot or bowl (don’t strain it into the sink and accidentally lose your precious stock down the sink like I once did!) to remove all the vegetables and discard. Return stock to the pot and bring to the boil. Add pasta (if using), stir, and boil until just cooked, about 8-10 minutes. Season soup to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Step 3

While pasta is cooking, shred chicken meat (pull apart into portions and shred meat with two forks or pick it off with your hands if it’s cool enough), discarding the skin. Add shredded chicken, lemon juice and silverbeet to the soup and simmer for a further 2 minutes or so until hot through and the silverbeet has wilted.

Step 4

To serve, ladle into bowls, garnish with parsley and serve piping hot.