Ingredients

1 whole chicken (4 pounds), rinsed and patted dry 

4 cups homemade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock 

1 large onion, halved 

2 bay leaves 

1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns 

3 sprigs fresh thyme, plus 2 tablespoons thyme leaves 

1 celery stalk, cut crosswise into thirds 

5 tablespoons unsalted butter 

9 ounces medium red potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch chunks 

12 white, red, or yellow pearl onions (halved lengthwise if large) 

1 medium leek, white and pale-green parts only, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds and rinsed well 

2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds 

6 ounces white mushrooms, halved lengthwise (quartered if large) 

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting 

1 cup milk 

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 

Finely grated zest of 1 lemon 

2 teaspoons coarse salt 

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Pate Brisee for Mini Chicken Potpies

2 tablespoons mixed fresh herb leaves, such as flat-leaf parsley, sage, chives, thyme, dill, rosemary, and oregano 

1 large egg

Preparation

Put chicken, stock, large onion, bay leaves, peppercorns, thyme sprigs, and celery in a large (8-quart) pot. Add just enough water to cover the chicken. Cover pot; bring mixture to a boil. Uncover; reduce heat. Simmer 1 hour.

Transfer chicken to a cutting board (reserve stock in pot). Remove skin from chicken; discard. Cut meat from bones; discard bones. Using a fork, shred meat into bite-size pieces; set aside.

Pour stock through a fine sieve into a large bowl; discard solids. Set aside 2 cups stock. (Reserve remaining stock for another use; cooled stock can be frozen in an airtight container up to 4 months.)

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add potatoes and pearl onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes begin to turn golden, about 5 minutes. Add leek, carrots, and mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes more. Add flour; cook, stirring, 1 minute.

Stir in reserved 2 cups stock and the milk. Bring mixture to a simmer; cook, stirring constantly, until thick and bubbling, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in chicken, parsley, thyme leaves, zest, salt, and pepper.

Divide chicken mixture among 8 (4-by-2-inch) ramekins, filling them almost to the top. Let cool slightly.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out pate brisee on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick. Arrange mixed herbs on top; roll out dough with a lightly floured pin to 1/8 inch thick, gently pressing herbs.

Using a fluted (or plain) round dough cutter (4 1/2 inches in diameter), cut out 8 rounds from dough. Lightly beat egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush top edges of ramekins with egg wash. Place a dough round over each ramekin; gently press to seal. Chill in freezer until dough is firm, about 10 minutes.

Brush dough with egg wash. Cut 4 slits in top of each round for steam vents. Bake until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling, 35 to 40 minutes.