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Chicken a la King is a delicious dish consisting of tender chicken cooked in a creamy sauce, typically served over rice, noodles, or biscuits. It’s a classic recipe that has been enjoyed for many years, known for its rich flavors and versatility.
Legend has it that chicken à la king made its debut in the late 19th century at the renowned Delmonico’s restaurant in New York City. A talented chef, inspired by his creative genius, whipped up this tasty masterpiece. The dish was later named after one of its devoted patrons, E. Clark King II. From there, it soared in popularity, finding its way into cookbooks and onto dinner tables across the nation.
Chicken a la King
To make Chicken à la King, you start by cooking chicken breast or chicken pieces until they are tender and fully cooked. Then, a creamy sauce is prepared using a combination of butter, flour, chicken broth, and cream. This sauce is seasoned with various ingredients such as mushrooms, pimentos, carrots and peas. The sauce is then combined with the cooked chicken, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Whether enjoyed as a cozy home-cooked meal or served at a fancy dinner party, chicken à la king is a delightful and satisfying dish that has stood the test of time. Its creamy texture, savory flavors, and endless serving possibilities make it a true crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Butter
- Onion
- Garlic powder
- Sea salt
- Mushrooms
- Flour
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Peas and carrots
- Pimento
Keep scrolling to find a full, printable recipe with a detailed ingredient list.
Recipe Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pan or skillet. Then, add chicken, minced onion, garlic powder, and sea salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until chicken is fully cooked.
- Add mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes until they’re soft.
- Whisk in flour until no dry clumps remain, then slowly whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream.
- Stir until the sauce thickens. Then, add frozen peas, carrots, and sliced pimento.
- Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicken breast meat is commonly used in Chicken à la King, but you can also use chicken pieces or leftover cooked chicken.
Chicken à la King is typically served over steamed rice or buttered noodles. However, you can also get creative and serve it in puff pastry shells, on top of biscuits, inside crêpes, or stuffed in bell peppers.
The thickness of the sauce can be adjusted according to your preference. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can whisk in more flour. If you desire a thinner consistency, you can add a bit more chicken broth or cream.
More Recipes
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Chicken a la King
Ingredients
- 3 large chicken breasts, diced
- ½ cup salted butter
- 1 teaspoon minced onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
- 8 ounces sliced bella mushrooms
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ⅓ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups frozen peas and carrots
- ½ cup sliced pimento
Instructions
- In a large pan or skillet, melt the butter. Once the butter is completely melted, add the chicken, minced onion, garlic powder, and sea salt. Cook the chicken over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Once the chicken is cooked all the way through, add the mushrooms and continue cooking for about 5 minutes, or until the mushrooms are soft.
- Whisk in the flour until no dry clumps remain and then slowly whisk in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Continue stirring until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Once the sauce begins to thicken, stir in the frozen peas and carrots along with the sliced pimento.
- Allow the dish to continue cooking for an additional 4-5 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- This chicken ala king is great served on its own, over egg noodles, or over rice.
- Other veggies that go great in this dish include celery, red bell peppers, and yellow onion.
- You can store your leftover chicken ala king in the fridge for up to five days. Reheat it in the microwave in a bowl covered with a paper towel or paper plate for about 1 minute, stirring halfway through.
- When adding the heavy cream and broth, be sure to whisk gently until no clumps of the flour mixture remain. This will help your dish thicken properly.
- If you are using diced onion in this dish it is not necessary to add minced onion to the chicken. You will want to add your diced onion to the pan when the chicken is about halfway done cooking.
Nutrition
Chicken a la King is a timeless and versatile dish that continues to delight taste buds around the world. With its tender chicken, creamy sauce, and endless serving options, it offers a satisfying and flavorful experience.
