Chicken and veggies in a creamy sauce– there’s a whole lot to love about this quick and easy chicken a la king recipe! I love whipping up this delicious creamy chicken dish on busy weeknights. It’s so rich and comforting!
What’s in This Chicken a la King Recipe?
Butter: I prefer using unsalted butter to keep the sodium level at a minimum. Shallot: Adds a sweet and earthy flavor. If you don’t have a shallot, you can use half of a yellow onion. Mushrooms: Crimini or white button mushrooms both work well to add umami flavor and texture to the dish. Garlic: Enhances the savory flavor of the dish. Use fresh, not pre-minced garlic for the best flavor. Flour: All-purpose flour is used to thicken the creamy sauce. Chicken Broth: Adds depth and umami flavor to the sauce. Half-and-Half: Makes the sauce rich and creamy. You can use heavy cream instead if you’d like, but your sauce will be noticeably thicker! Peas: Frozen peas work like a charm to add a pop of color and sweetness. Pimentos: Also known as cherry peppers, they add a sweet and mildly peppery flavor to the dish. Make sure to drain them well before chopping and tossing them into the mix. Chicken: The key ingredient here is shredded chicken, so if you have leftover chicken breasts, strips, or rotisserie chicken, you can use it to make another delicious feast.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover chicken a la king in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time it stops, until warmed all the way through.
Notes and Tips
If you have a hard time finding pimentos, you can also use roasted red peppers. The flavors will change slightly but will still be delicious! I have found that the cream mixes in better at room temperature than if added cold straight from the fridge. Make sure to add it slowly and stir continuously so it mixes in evenly.
title: “Chicken A La King Recipe” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-17” author: “Alla Mccall”
I have a soft spot for classic comfort foods like this old-fashioned Chicken a la King, and I have an even softer spot for super easy dinners that are ready fast. And since most of the ingredients for this King-style chicken live in my kitchen full-time, I rarely have to make an extra stop at the grocery store!
Ingredients for Chicken a la King
Chicken: Use boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces. You can also use thighs or pre-cooked chicken. Mushrooms: I used white button mushrooms, but other types work too. Garlic and Shallots: Diced shallots and minced garlic are aromatics that add depth to the overall flavor. Butter: Melted butter helps cook the mushrooms, and adds richness. Flour: Use all-purpose flour. This helps thicken the sauce/gravy to add texture to the final dish. Chicken Broth: This savory liquid helps form the sauce. Half and Half: This adds a super creamy texture to the sauce. Peas: Frozen peas don’t need to be thawed before adding. Pimentos: Drain and chop the pimento peppers. These are very mild, almost sweet.
Tips for Success
Swap in leftover chicken or pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to speed things up. If you do this, skip Step 1, then just add the chicken as directed in Step 3, and cook until warmed through. If you can’t find pimentos, red bell peppers make a good substitute.
How to Store and Reheat
Store Chicken a la King in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I recommend storing the biscuits separately, at room temperature. Although cream bases don’t always defrost perfectly, this can also be frozen for 3 months. Reheat this dish on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring until fully warmed through. I recommend adding a few drops of heavy cream while reheating to get that creamy texture back!
Serving Suggestions
This creamy Chicken a la King is best served with flakey biscuits! You can simply grab a can of pre-made biscuits to bake in the oven while this cooks. Or try making my homemade buttermilk biscuits or these Angel biscuits! It can also be served with rice, egg noodles, pasta, or puff pastry. It would make a delicious savory pie crust filling!
How to Make Chicken a la King Step by Step
Brown the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cut 2 medium chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, then add them to the skillet in an even layer, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned but not cooked all the way through. Remove from the skillet and set aside. Cook Mushrooms: To the same skillet, add ½ cup of butter. Once melted, add 1 finely diced shallot and 8 ounces of white button mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are translucent. Add Garlic: Stir in 1 clove of minced garlic, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Cook for 30-60 seconds. Add Flour: Then add in ½ cup of all-purpose flour and cook, stirring, until it’s fully incorporated–no streaks of dry flour should remain. Stir in Liquid Ingredients: Slowly stir in 2 cups of chicken broth, and then 1 cup of half and half. Finish Cooking Chicken: Return the browned chicken to the pan, bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and the chicken is fully cooked through. Cook: Stir in 1 cup of frozen peas and ⅓ cup of chopped pimentos. Cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Serve: Serve Chicken a la King with baked biscuits and garnish with 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley.
More Creamy Chicken Recipes To Try
Creamy Chicken Soup Caesar Chicken Creamy Chicken Stew Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings Creamy White Chicken Chili
