1 1/2 cups diced celery
1 1/2 cups diced onion
1/4 cup diced celery
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried sage
1/4 teaspoon dried black pepper
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 (4 pound) whole chicken
In a large saucepan, stir together celery, onion, celery, salt, pepper, basil, sage, pepper and evaporated milk. Heat to boiling. Remove pan from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Remove chicken from juices. Discard chicken and bones.
Stir chicken mixture into the celery mixture. Simmer, covered, approximately 5 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve over rice, cooked chicken or with celery stuffing.