Chicken a la King is a delicious combination of tender Chicken, mushrooms, onions, peas, green peppers, and pimentos in a rich cream sauce. Serve it over rice, egg noodles, toast, or puff pastry shells. This delectable recipe comes together quickly using baked rotisserie chicken.
Chicken a la King
This is one of my favorite comfort food meals. It reminds me of the beautiful creamy one-pot meals I enjoyed with my brothers and sisters. It is amazing how food can be so nostalgic. 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, but you can use any leftover chicken. You can pick up a rotisserie chicken at any club warehouse and most grocery stores. Leftovers warm up quickly right on the stovetop.
What is Chicken a la King?
It is a creamy one-pot comfort food dish made with Chicken, mushrooms, peas, onions, green bell peppers, and pimientos. It is traditionally served over rice, noodles, toast, biscuits, or puff pastry shells. For an equally delicious change of pace, substitute cooked tuna or salmon for the Chicken.
How to make Chicken a la King
Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Add the mushrooms and cook for several minutes. Then add the onion and green pepper, cooking until the veggies soften and the mushrooms brown.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the garlic and dry mustard. sprinkle in the flour while continuing to stir. Cook and stir for about 2 minutes. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to combine. Simmer until thickened, stirring several times.
Reduce heat to low and stir in the half and half, peas, pimentos, and cooked Chicken. Continue cooking and stirring until everything is hot. If the mixture becomes too thick, add one-quarter cup of chicken broth at a time to reach the desired thickness. Serve over rice, noodles, toast, biscuits, or puff pastry shells.
What is the best Chicken to use?
My favorite is baked rotisserie chicken, which is available almost anywhere. You can pick them up at club warehouses, grocery stores, and nearly 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.
Can you freeze this dish?
Chicken a la King is best fresh out of the pot, but I know that sometimes there is just too much to eat, especially if you are cooking for one. Once the dish is fully cooled, pack it in freezer bags removing as much air as possible. Lay flat on a baking sheet and freeze. Once fully frozen, stack as desired and freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, defrost in the refrigerator, remove from the bag, and place contents in a saucepan on low. Stir frequently until it reaches the desired temperature. Likewise, pour the contents into a microwaveable bowl and reheat in the microwave for 1-minute intervals at 50% power until the desired temperature.
Recipe Tips
- 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 blending the flour with the mushrooms, onions, and peppers. It will all work out when you add the broth and the 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.
- If the mixture gets too thick, add one-quarter cup of chicken broth at a time to reach desired thickness.
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop on low.
To freeze, first cool completely. Then ladle into freezer bags. Lay the freezer bags down in a single layer on rimmed baking sheets and place the sheet in the freezer. Once fully frozen, stack the bags up on their side in the freezer to save on space. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
This truly delectable Chicken a la King is the ultimate comfort food and a family favorite. So, if you love delicious, easy chicken recipes all made in the same pot, then you must give this one a whirl.
More comfort recipes you will love!
Classic Chicken A La King Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons butter ½ cup
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms or white button mushrooms sliced
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 7 ounces diced pimentos well drained
- 3 cups cooked diced or shredded chicken
Instructions
- Melt butter over medium-high heat in a large pot or Dutch oven.
- Add the mushrooms and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the onion and green pepper, cooking until the veggies soften and the mushrooms brown.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the garlic and dry mustard. Sprinkle in the flour while continuing to stir. Cook and stir for about 2 minutes. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to combine. Simmer until thickened.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the half and half, peas, pimentos, and cooked Chicken. Continue cooking and stirring until everything is hot. If the mixture becomes too thick, add one-quarter cup of chicken broth at a time to reach the desired thickness. Serve over rice, noodles, toast, biscuits, or puff pastry shells.
Video
Notes
- 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 the 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.
- If the mixture gets too thick, add one-quarter cup of chicken broth at a time to reach desired thickness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop on low.
- To freeze, first cool completely. Then ladle into freezer bags. Lay the freezer bags down in a single layer on rimmed baking sheets and place the sheet in the freezer. Once fully frozen, stack the bags up on their side in the freezer to save on space. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Nutrition
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Nancy J Jackson
This was delicious!! I traveled back decades to my childhood with this dish, thank you!! My son made this last night for dinner. He used oat milk instead of half and half, because of lactose intolerance.
Thank you for sharing your delicious recipes with us. ☮️
Beth Pierce
That is awesome. I am so glad that you liked it. The pleasure is all mine!
Glenn
Do you add salt? seemed like it needed some
Beth Pierce
You certainly can season with salt and pepper to taste.
May
I never knew what the name of dish until today, haha! Here, we have a version of this, but with macaroni noodles added into it. I’ve always wondered if this was just a version of it but without the pasta — I’ve been taught today. 🙂
Frank W
Great recipe, my friend tried this one and recommended it to me as well. I should listen to my friend more often because it was delicious. I served it over Amish egg noodles. Thanks for the tip on the Amish egg noodles.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Frank!
Ned B
What a blast from the past. My grandmother used to make this and I loved it. Your recipe was just as good. I served it over biscuits just like she did. I really miss her and her amazing cooking!
Beth Pierce
Food can bring back such wonderful memories!
Zaney
This is one of my favorite recipes. I make it almost every third Sunday. It is great Sunday food! I love to serve it over your garlic mashed potatoes or your pan fried potatoes. Absolutely delicious.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Zaney! We love it over Amish egg noodles.
Kat C
Just tried your Chicken a la King – amazing! Your simple steps made me feel like a kitchen champ. Thanks for making dinner awesome!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Kat! You are most welcome!
William Colborn
The dry mustard was à surprise! I will try that.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, enjoy!
Clare
I prepared this recipe last night and my family loved it. We were able to enjoy with over rice and rotisserie chicken. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Clare!
Elizabeth B
This was perfect for this current cold weather! My family loved it. It was delicious comfort food and easy to make. Thanks for the recipe.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Elizabeth! I am so glad that you liked the chicken a la king!
Brian
I love this chicken a la king but I leave out the mushrooms. I am just not a fan of them. It still has fantastic flavor and I love serving it over your homemade biscuits. You have the best recipes!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Brian!