3medium-sized potatoespeeled and chopped into small chunks
2sticks of celerysliced
good pinch of salt and pepper
2sprigs of thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
850ml(3 ½ cups + 2 tsp) chicken stockwater plus 3 stock cubes is fine
3tbspbutter
1large onionpeeled and finely chopped
6tbspplain (all-purpose) flour
300ml(1 ¼ cup) milk half or full-fat
3cooked chicken breastsshredded (or use the meat from a shop-bought rotisserie chicken)
2tbsplemon juice
250g(8.8 oz) pack of fresh tortelliniI used Giovanni Rana Ham and Cheese tortellini
a few sprigs of fresh thyme
Instructions
Add the carrots, potatoes, celery, salt, pepper, thyme and stock to a large saucepan. Bring to the boil and allow to simmer for 15 minutes and then turn off the heat.
3 carrots, 3 medium-sized potatoes, 2 sticks of celery, good pinch of salt and pepper, 2 sprigs of thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme, 850 ml (3 ½ cups + 2 tsp) chicken stock
Take another large saucepan and add in the butter and onions. Heat on medium and cook the onion for about 5-6 minutes until soft.
3 tbsp butter, 1 large onion
Add in the flour and mix it into the onions and butter using a balloon whisk. It should form into a creamy paste (or roux).
6 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour
Allow the roux to cook for a minute whilst stirring with your whisk, then add in a ladle of the stock from the chicken broth (try to get mostly stock - not the veggies). Stir the broth into the mixture using your whisk. Repeat this until you have ladled out most of the stock from the veggie pan (leaving the veggies behind).
Then pour in the milk. Heat through whilst stirring with the whisk. The sauce should thicken slightly as it's heating.
300 ml (1 ¼ cup) milk
Once the sauce is almost at boiling (don't let it boil) add in the veggies and the shredded cooked chicken. Bring back to almost boiling and add in half the lemon juice. Give it a stir and taste. Add the rest of the lemon juice if needed.
3 cooked chicken breasts, 2 tbsp lemon juice
Add the fresh tortellini and heat through for 2-5 minutes (depending on the size of the tortellini) until hot inside.
250 g (8.8 oz) pack of fresh tortellini
Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle on some fresh thyme, then serve.