Ingredients

1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds), cut into 8 pieces 

2 celery stalks, cut into 4-inch pieces 

2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 4-inch pieces 

1 medium onion, quartered 

6 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley 

1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns 

2 cans (14 ounces each) low-sodium store-bought chicken broth 

1 teaspoon coarse salt 

Preparation

Place chicken in a large stockpot. Add remaining ingredients and enough water to cover chicken. Bring to a boil over high heat. Skim off any foam; discard. Reduce heat to low; simmer until chicken has just cooked through, about 25 minutes.

Transfer chicken to a plate, and let cool slightly. Pour stock through a fine sieve into a bowl; discard solids. Set aside 1 1/2 cups stock for potpie; reserve remaining stock for another use. Remove skin from chicken; discard. Remove meat from bones, and tear into bite-size pieces. (You should have about 4 cups.)