Description
Hearty chicken a la king recipe celebrates comfort with creamy sauce and tender chicken pieces. Home cooks can quickly prepare this nostalgic American classic for a satisfying meal that connects generations of family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups chopped cooked chicken
- ½ cup (113 grams / 4 oz) salted butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 2 egg yolks
- 8 oz (226 grams) sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup drained pimientos
Instructions
- Sauté Preparation: Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, then add mushrooms and cook until golden and tender, releasing their natural moisture.
- Flour Integration: Evenly sprinkle flour over the mushrooms, stirring continuously to create a uniform roux without dry flour patches.
- Liquid Incorporation: Gradually pour chicken broth and whole milk into the roux, whisking consistently to prevent lumps and create a smooth base.
- Sauce Development: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Egg Tempering: Whisk egg yolks with heavy cream, then carefully incorporate a portion of the hot sauce to prevent curdling, gradually returning the tempered mixture to the saucepan.
- Final Cooking: Maintain low heat while stirring, ensuring a creamy consistency without boiling, then fold in frozen peas, pimientos, and diced chicken.
- Seasoning and Serving: Enhance with salt and black pepper, warming the mixture thoroughly to blend flavors, and serve immediately over steamed rice, egg noodles, toasted bread, or buttermilk biscuits.
Notes
- Prevent Sauce Separation: Temper egg yolks carefully by slowly adding hot sauce while whisking constantly to avoid curdling and maintain a silky smooth texture.
- Control Mushroom Cooking: Sauté mushrooms until golden brown and moisture evaporates, which concentrates their rich, earthy flavor and prevents watery sauce.
- Manage Sauce Thickness: Watch sauce consistency closely, stirring occasionally and simmering until it coats the back of a spoon for perfect creamy result.
- Select Serving Bases Wisely: Choose absorbent, sturdy bases like steamed rice or toasted bread that complement the sauce’s rich, velvety consistency without becoming soggy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg