Chicken a la King is a delicious combination of chicken, mushrooms, onions, peas, green peppers and pimentos in a rich creamy sauce. Serve it over rice, noodles, toast or pastry puff shells. This delectable recipe comes together quickly using baked rotisserie chicken.
Chicken a la king is a super easy heartwarming satisfying meal. It is quick to come together making it a perfect weeknight meal. This recipe calls for already baked rotisserie chicken. You can pick one up any club warehouse and most grocery stores. Leftovers warm up easily right on the stovetop.
How do you make Chicken a la King?
Melt several tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat in a heavy stockpot or dutch oven. Add mushrooms and cook until golden brown. Then add the onion and green pepper and cook for a couple of minutes or until they start to soften. Turn the heat to medium and sprinkle in the flour while continuing to stir. Blend in the flour gently stirring for one to two minutes. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to combine. Mix in the milk, salt, pepper, onion powder, and ground mustard. Simmer gently for about ten minutes.
Stir in the peas, pimentos, chicken, and cream. Continue simmering until everything is hot. If too thick, add one-quarter cup of chicken broth at a time to reach the desired thickness. Serve over rice, noodles, toast, biscuits or pastry puff shells.
What is the best chicken to use for Chicken a la King?
My personal favorite is baked rotisserie chicken which is available almost anywhere these days. You can pick them up at club warehouses, grocery stores, and almost every Walmart. However, you can use any baked, poached or roasted chicken. In addition to that, you can also use cooked skinless thigh and wing meat. This recipe is made with rotisserie chicken because it is delicious and convenient.
Can you freeze Chicken a la King?
Chicken a la King is best fresh out of the pot but I know that sometimes there is just too much to eat. Once the dish is fully cooled pack in freezer bags removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to one month.
Helpful hints on making Chicken a la King.
- Take the time to brown the mushrooms. They taste better that way and the dish is more visually appealing.
- Don’t get too hung up in the blending of the flour with the mushrooms, onions and peppers. It will all work out when you add the broth and milk.
- Drain the pimentos well because you don’t want the juice that they are packed in flavoring or coloring your dish.
- Frozen peas are best in this dish. They retain their color, shape and flavor during the simmering process much better than canned or fresh.
- For a lower fat version cut the butter and cream in half. It will still be delicious just not as rich.
This truly delectable Chicken a la King is the ultimate in comfort food and a family favorite. So if you love delicious easy chicken recipes all made in the same pot than you must give this one a whirl.
Other chicken recipes you will love!
This post was originally published August 1, 2015 and was republished February 14, 2019 with new content.
PrintChicken A La King
Chicken a la king is a hearty, creamy dish with chicken, peas, peppers, mushrooms, and pimentos. Serve over a bed of rice or flaky biscuits for a rich and satisfying dinner.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: main meal
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 8 ounces button mushrooms sliced
- 1 green pepper chopped
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dry ground mustard
- 3–4 cups chopped rotisserie chicken
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 jar (8 ounce) pimentos well drained.
Instructions
- Melt butter over medium high heat in a heavy stockpot or dutch oven.
- Add mushrooms and cook until golden brown. Add green pepper and onion; cook for 2-3 minutes or until starting to soften.
- Turn the heat to medium and sprinkle in the flour while continuing to stir. Continue to stir and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to combine. Mix in the milk, salt, pepper, onion powder, and ground mustard. Simmer gently for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the chicken, cream, peas and pimentos. Simmer for 5 minutes. Serve over rice, noodles, toast, biscuits or pastry puff shells.
Notes
If too thick, add one quarter cup of chicken broth at a time to reach desired thickness.
Keywords: creamy chicken dish, chicken dish, chicken, a la king
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Are you sure it’s 8oz of pimento. My grocery store has a small jar which is 2 ounces in a larger jar which is for. So I buy two of the larger jars?
Yes it is 8 ounces of pimentos. If they are pricey you could get by with 4 ounces. I like pimentos so I put in a healthy amount.
I grew up with this comfort food served over toast. Love this version with the heavy cream and rotisserie chicken!
★★★★★
Thanks Krystle! We love it too! Thanks for stopping by.
I grew up with this also, I loved it but my mom always put chopped up hard boiled eggs in hers and no pimentos but I love it either way thanks for sharing this recipe.
You are most welcome Maggie! I hope you enjoy it!
I need to make this. I used to make Chicken a la King all the time, but I haven’t in a long time. I love this idea of serving it over biscuits. It looks really good.
★★★★★
I’ve never tried anything like this before. I think my family might really enjoy it.
I’ve never heard of Chicken A La King! It sounds delicious! I may have to experiment and try it out! It luckily doesn’t seem super difficult
Chicken a la King is so delicious! I’m craving for it right now. I hope I can cook it soon.
★★★★★
A wonderful dish by the looks of it. And seeing the ingredients makes me believe it should be awesome too. I would give it a try this weekend.
You’ve done it again with a delicious 5 star recipe my goodness 🙂
★★★★★
I have already heard this one, but never tried to cook it myself. It looks delicious though and not so difficult to cook, I think.
No it is not difficult to cook at all! I hope you enjoy it!!
This looks like such a delicious combination of tastes! I’d love to try this and I’m sure even the cooking is enjoyable. 🙂
★★★★★
Thanks Ronnie! I am sure you will enjoy it!
Do you add any cheese?
No Pat, I do not.
What can you use instead of heavy cream!
★★★★★
What about half n half?
Love it .
I went to my recipe box and found my recipe it could be a northern thing but mine doesn’t call for pimento and green peppers it calls for onion mushrooms celery carrot and peas. But like I said could be a northern thing but yours is GREAT.
Thank you for the differt recipe to add to my box.
★★★★★
The pleasure is all mine Betty! Yes there is sometimes much variation between the north and the south. You should see the comments when I post my southern style green beans. LOL! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!!
I have been wanting to make Chicken a-la king for a long time since it is one recipe I never saw my Dad make back in the 60’s or 70’s, we used to have it on either egg noodles or mashed potatoes thanks for this recipe
★★★★★
Also could cream of condensed chicken soup be used instead of making the rue?
I believe that would work just fine! 🙂
Thanks Steve! Sorry about the delay! Crazy busy day!! I hope you enjoy it!
This was spectacular! I tried this with my wife and wasn’t let down! I followed your recipe to the T and added a lil bit of Cajun seasoning to my plate for that extra bazaaz! Thank you for this easy and delicious recipe
★★★★★
That is great Scott! So glad to hear that you and the wife liked it. I love adding Cajun spice. It really perks up a lot of dishes!
What do u do with. The extra. Whip cream? Freeze it. Ty
We are always cooking something around here so it never goes to waste but here is an article on freezing whipping cream here