1 3-4 lb. chicken
1 16-oz. box of soda crackers, preferably salt-free
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Red pepper flakes, to taste
Add chicken to a large stockpot with enough water to cover. Simmer until tender, about an hour. Remove from the pot, reserving 2 quarts of cooking liquid.
When chicken is cool enough to handle, remove skin and meat. Discard skin. Chop meat very finely, return it to the cooking liquid, and return the liquid to a simmer.
Crush crackers in their sleeves and slowly add them to the chicken and broth, one sleeve at a time, until the mixture reaches the consistency of a loose oatmeal. (Expect to use about 2 sleeves.) Season generously and serve.
Recipe adapted from Derwood Sadler, American Veterans Post 227
