Optional: You can also add other diced vegetables such as squash, zucchini, turnip, parsnip, fennel, shaved cabbage, or kale. If you want a heartier soup you can also add small pasta such as ditalini, orzo or rice
Bring the water in the pot to a boil and add the whole chicken. Skim off the whitish foam that rises to the top after a few minutes. Then add the whole onion, 1 celery stalk and I whole carrot to the pot along with the garlic, herbs, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to a steady simmer and cook for 45 minutes. Remove the whole chicken to a plate and discard the herbs and vegetables. Add back in all the diced vegetables or pasta, if using, and simmer soup mixture for another 20 minutes until everything is tender. Add the diced chicken to warm it up and then shout:  “Soups on!”