French Style Chicken Blanquette and Pilaf Rice

Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium and cover with the lid. Leave to cook for 10 mins, then remove the pan from the heat (still covered) and leave to the side for another 10 mins (the rice will continue to cook in its own steam).

While the shallot fries, heat a large frying pan on medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil. Once the oil is hot, lay the chicken thighs flat in the pan. Season with salt and pepper.

Fry until the chicken is browned, 4-5 mins each side. Once browned, transfer the chicken to a bowl and cover with a lid or foil to keep warm.

While the chicken fries, trim the root and dark green leafy part from the leek and discard. Halve lengthways, then thinly slice. Trim and halve the carrot lengthways. Slice widthways into 0.5cm thick half moons.

Return the now empty frying pan to a medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil. Once hot, add the leek and carrot and season with salt and pepper. Cook until softened, 6-8 mins, stirring occasionally.

Add the remaining garlic and fry, 1 min.

Stir in the creme fraiche, chicken stock paste and water for the sauce (see pantry for amount), then add the chicken thighs back to the pan and submerge in the liquid.

Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer until the liquid has thickened and the chicken is cooked through, 6-8 mins. IMPORTANT: Wash your hands and equipment after handling raw chicken and its packaging. The chicken is cooked when no longer pink in the middle.

While the chicken simmers, roughly chop the parsley (stalks and all). Cut the lemon into wedges.

When the chicken has simmered, stir in a good squeeze of lemon juice and half the parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Add a splash of water if it's a little too thick.

Once the rice is cooked, fluff up the grains with a fork.