Creamy Dream: The Classic Chicken A La King Recipe

Crafting a delightful chicken a la king brings comfort straight to your dinner table.

Creamy sauce and tender pieces of poultry create a classic meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Home cooks adore this nostalgic dish for its simplicity and rich flavors.

Blending mushrooms, bell peppers, and succulent chicken chunks makes every bite memorable.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with this hearty recipe that satisfies hunger and warms hearts.

Seasonal ingredients elevate this traditional favorite into something truly special.

Variations to Customize This Dish

• Seafood Sensation: Replace chicken with succulent shrimp or crab meat for an elegant coastal version of the classic dish.
• Veggie Delight: Swap chicken for roasted portobello mushrooms and add extra vegetables like zucchini and carrots for a hearty vegetarian option.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Incorporate diced jalapeños, swap pimentos for roasted green chiles, and add a dash of cumin for a zesty southwestern-inspired meal.
• Mediterranean Magic: Include artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, and swap cream for Greek yogurt to create a Mediterranean-style chicken a la king with bright, tangy flavors.

Pairing Ideas to Complete the Meal

• Pair with Crisp Chardonnay: Select a lightly oaked Chardonnay that complements the creamy sauce's richness without overpowering the delicate chicken flavors.
• Serve Alongside Buttery Sourdough Toast: Choose thick-cut sourdough toast to soak up the luxurious sauce and provide a tangy, textural contrast to the smooth chicken mixture.
• Create a Fresh Green Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the dish's creaminess and add a bright, peppery counterpoint to the rich chicken.
• Recommend Roasted Asparagus Spears: Prepare simply roasted asparagus with olive oil and sea salt to introduce a tender-crisp vegetable side that enhances the meal's overall elegance.

Storage Tips for Chicken a la King

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pack the chicken a la king in freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing dishes with cream-based sauces, as they may separate.
• Place portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming. Stop when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

FAQs

• What are the key flavor components in Chicken a la King?

The dish gets its rich, creamy taste from a combination of butter, garlic, bell peppers, onions, and a velvety sauce made with chicken stock and heavy cream.

• Is this recipe difficult to make for beginners?

Not at all! The recipe is straightforward and requires basic cooking skills like sautéing vegetables, whisking a sauce, and combining ingredients, making it perfect for home cooks of all experience levels.

• Can I use fresh or frozen chicken for this recipe?

While the recipe calls for pre-cooked chicken, you can easily use rotisserie chicken, leftover roasted chicken, or quickly cook chicken breasts specifically for this dish.

Chicken a la King with Classic Comfort Flavors

• Craft Comfort Quickly: This chicken a la king recipe transforms simple ingredients into a heartwarming meal that feels like a culinary hug, perfect for satisfying hunger with minimal kitchen effort.
• Master Versatile Cooking: Learn essential cooking techniques like creating smooth sauces, sautéing vegetables, and blending flavors while preparing this classic dish that teaches fundamental culinary skills.
• Customize Your Meal: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping vegetables, using different protein options like turkey or adding herbs to match your taste preferences and pantry ingredients.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Packed with tender chicken, colorful vegetables, and a creamy sauce, this recipe appeals to both kids and adults, making dinnertime a delightful shared experience that brings everyone together.

Ingredients for Rich Chicken a la King

• Chicken: A tender and flavorful main ingredient that provides the primary protein for the dish.

• Green Bell Pepper, Onion: Aromatic vegetables that add depth and subtle sweetness to the sauce.
• Garlic: A fragrant ingredient that enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Frozen Peas: Sweet and tender vegetable that brings color and mild freshness to the recipe.
• Pimentos: Mild, sweet red peppers that provide a subtle pop of color and slight tangy flavor.

• Butter: Provides a rich, smooth base for sautéing vegetables and creating a creamy sauce.
• Flour: Acts as a thickening agent to create a smooth and velvety sauce texture.
• Chicken Stock: Adds depth of flavor and helps create the base of the creamy sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Contributes to the rich, luxurious texture and taste of the sauce.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor of the dish.

Step-by-Step Chicken a la King Preparation

Step 1: Warm Up the Skillet

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt butter until it’s bubbling and golden.

Step 2: Sauté Colorful Veggies

Toss in the green bell pepper and onion, stirring occasionally until they become soft and slightly translucent, about 10 minutes.

Step 3: Awaken the Garlic

Add minced garlic and let it dance in the pan for 30 seconds, releasing its aromatic magic.

Step 4: Create a Silky Base

Sprinkle in flour, salt, and black pepper.

Stir and cook for 1 minute to help the flour dissolve and prevent a raw taste.

Step 5: Build the Creamy Sauce

Slowly pour chicken stock while whisking continuously to prevent any lumpy surprises.

Follow the same technique with heavy cream, creating a smooth, velvety sauce.

Step 6: Thicken the Sauce

Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until it reaches a luxurious, coating consistency.

Step 7: Add Protein and Extras

Introduce diced cooked chicken, frozen peas, and drained pimentos into the creamy mixture. Stir everything together for a harmonious blend.

Step 8: Final Warming

Simmer for an additional 3 minutes, ensuring all ingredients are heated through. Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Plate immediately alongside crispy toast or fluffy biscuits for a comforting meal that warms the soul.

Tips for Creamy and Tender Chicken a la King

• Whisk constantly and gradually add chicken stock and cream to ensure a smooth, silky texture without any flour clumps.
• Sauté vegetables until golden and slightly caramelized to enhance the overall taste profile of the dish.
• Easily replace chicken with turkey, shrimp, or tofu for a versatile meal that suits different dietary preferences.
• Adjust sauce thickness by adding more stock for a thinner sauce or simmering longer for a thicker, richer consistency.
• Serve over rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal that goes beyond traditional toast or biscuits.

Chicken A La King Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 24 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets elegance in this classic Chicken a la King, a creamy American dish that whisks diners to nostalgic family dinners. Luxurious tender chicken nestled in a silky sauce promises a delightful meal you’ll savor with pure culinary joy.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 3 cups diced cooked chicken
• 4-ounce jar diced pimentos, drained

Vegetables:

• 1 medium green bell pepper, small diced
• 1 small sweet onion, small diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup frozen peas

Base and Seasonings:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Warm a spacious skillet over medium heat, gently melting butter until it becomes golden and fragrant.
2. Introduce diced green bell peppers and onions, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic essence, stirring periodically for approximately 10 minutes.
3. Incorporate finely chopped garlic, letting it dance in the pan for a brief 30-second interval to unlock its robust flavor.
4. Sprinkle flour, salt, and black pepper into the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously for one minute to ensure smooth integration.
5. Slowly pour chicken stock while whisking vigorously, preventing any potential lumps from forming. Repeat the technique with heavy cream, creating a silky, uniform sauce.
6. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 minutes, watching as it transforms and thickens, stirring occasionally to maintain consistent texture.
7. Fold in tender diced chicken, vibrant frozen peas, and bright pimentos, ensuring each ingredient is evenly distributed throughout the creamy base.
8. Continue simmering for an additional 3 minutes, guaranteeing all components are thoroughly heated and flavors are harmoniously blended.
9. Present the dish immediately alongside crisp toast or pillowy biscuits, ready to delight eager diners.

Notes

• Swap green bell peppers with roasted red peppers for a deeper, sweeter flavor profile that adds complexity to the dish.
• Using leftover rotisserie chicken can save time and introduce more robust meat texture compared to freshly cooked chicken.
• Create a lighter version by substituting heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk to reduce overall calorie content without sacrificing creaminess.
• For gluten-free adaptation, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or alternative gluten-free flour blend, whisking carefully to maintain smooth sauce consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 9 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 470 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg