Chicken a la King

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1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 large shallots, minced

6 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 cup dry sherry

3 3/4 cups chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium canned

6 sprigs plus 1 tablespoon minced flat-leaf parsley

1 sprig fresh thyme

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more, to taste

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more, to taste

Pinch cayenne pepper

Pinch freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 pound shiitake mushrooms, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch slices

1/2 cup creme fraiche or heavy cream

4 cups 1-inch cubed poached chicken, recipe follows

1 tablespoon snipped fresh chives

Serving suggestions: Buttered noodles, toast points, biscuits, or crepes

Poached Chicken:

10 sprigs parsley

2 sprigs fresh thyme

1 small onion, halved

1 small carrot, halved

1 stalk celery, halved

3 pounds chicken breasts halves, on the bone and fat trimmed

5 to 6 cups chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium canned