Old Hen Chicken Pot Pie

What makes many Southern chicken pot pies different from all others is not only the use of a full-flavored fowl (or stewing chicken), but also the layer of pastry strips within the pie itself, which provide a delectable contrast with the crispy top crust. Even in the South, it seems that old hens are harder and harder to find in supermarkets or even specialty food markets, so whenever I find one (especially on sale), I grab it and freeze it till I’m ready to make this pie—or the best chicke