Poached Chicken

• 1 chicken weighing about 4 pounds (1800 g)
• 1 medium onion

Wash the chicken under cold running water and drain in a colander. Combine the onion, celery, red pepper flakes, bay, thyme, salt, peppercorns, and water in the stockpot. Bring rapidly to a boil over high heat. Carefully add the chicken and return to the boil. Immediately reduce heat to low (the barest simmer) and poach about 90 minutes in all. Do not overcook. If the skin pulls away from the l