Garlicky Chicken Soup

Ingredients 

• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 200 grams boneless chicken breast, cut into small pieces
• 1 leek stalk
• 1 medium onion
• 2 tablespoons olive oil + for drizzling
• 2-3 fresh thyme sprigs
• 2 small potatoes, cut into ½ inch cubes
• Salt to taste
• Crushed black peppercorns to taste
• 3 cups chicken stock
• ¼ cup fresh cream
• 2-3 fresh chives sprigs + for garnish
• Croutons for garnish
• 2-3 garlic cloves, fried and thinly sliced
• Chop leek stalk and onion.

 Method

1. Heat olive oil in a non-stick deep pan, add leek and onion, mix and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
2. Pluck thyme leaves from the sprigs and add to the pan and mix well. Add potatoes and mix well.
3. Add salt, crushed black peppercorns and chicken stock and mix well. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes. Take the pan off the heat.
4. Blend to a smooth mixture with an electric hand blender.
5. Place the pan back on heat and add the chicken pieces. Let the mixture come to a boil and cook for 6-8 minutes or till the chicken is done.
6. Add fresh cream and mix. Snip the chives and add into the soup and mix.
7. Transfer into serving bowls. Garnish with croutons, snip some chives on top and fried garlic slices. Drizzle olive oil and serve hot.