Royal Comfort: The Timeless Classic Chicken a la King Recipe

Comfort food doesn’t get more nostalgic than this classic chicken a la king recipe that delivers pure culinary warmth.

Generations of home cooks have cherished this creamy, hearty dish for decades.

Rich, velvety sauce embraces tender chicken pieces in a delightful dance of flavors.

Each spoonful brings memories of cozy family dinners and traditional home cooking.

The combination of succulent chicken, silky sauce, and subtle seasonings creates a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Served over fluffy rice or buttery toast, this timeless recipe promises to satisfy your deepest comfort food cravings.

You’ll fall in love with every delectable bite of this irresistible classic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 7

Chicken a la King: What’s Inside

• Butter: Provides rich, silky foundation for sautéing and building deep flavor profile.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates smooth thickening agent for sauce, ensuring velvety texture.
• Chicken Broth: Delivers robust, savory undertone and helps develop complex sauce consistency.

• Chicken: Tender, lean protein that absorbs sauce beautifully; choose boneless, skinless breast for easiest preparation.
• Mushrooms: Earthy, meaty ingredient that adds depth and umami; select fresh, firm white or cremini varieties.
• Peas: Sweet, tender vegetables that bring bright color and subtle freshness; frozen works perfectly.
• Pimientos: Vibrant, mild peppers that introduce gentle sweetness and gorgeous red color.

• Milk: Provides smooth, silky base for sauce; whole milk recommended for richest result.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and creates ultra-smooth sauce texture.
• Egg Yolks: Contribute incredible depth, creating custard-like consistency and enhancing overall creaminess.

Equipment You’ll Need for Chicken a la King

• Large Saucepan: Essential for sautéing mushrooms and creating the creamy sauce.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring ingredients smoothly and preventing sticking.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending flour, mixing egg yolks, and ensuring a smooth sauce.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients for consistent results.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping mushrooms and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Required for precise ingredient preparation.
• Mixing Bowl: Useful for tempering egg yolks and cream mixture.

Cooking Classic Chicken a la King the Easy Way

• Mushroom Magic Preparation of soft, golden mushrooms in a warm pan, releasing their earthy aroma and creating a delicious foundation for the dish.
• Silky Sauce Creation Transforming simple ingredients into a luxurious, velvety mixture that will embrace the chicken with creamy tenderness.
• Egg Cream Transformation Carefully blending egg yolks and cream to add rich depth and smooth texture to the sauce, ensuring a luscious coating.
• Flavor Fusion Bringing together succulent chicken pieces, sweet peas, and vibrant pimientos into the creamy sauce, allowing all ingredients to mingle and harmonize.
• Comforting Presentation Nestling the warm, creamy mixture over fluffy rice, crispy toast, or tender biscuits, creating a heartwarming meal that feels like a culinary hug.

This nostalgic recipe celebrates comfort food at its finest, offering a delightful blend of textures and flavors that transport you to cherished family dinner memories. Perfect for chilly evenings or when you crave something wonderfully satisfying, this dish promises to warm both body and soul with its classic, timeless appeal.

Chicken a la King Tips & Add-On Ideas

• Gently temper egg yolks by slowly adding hot sauce to prevent curdling, ensuring a silky smooth texture every time.
• Swap chicken with turkey, shrimp, or diced ham for a delightful twist on the classic recipe that keeps your meals exciting and fresh.
• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, gently reheating with a splash of additional chicken broth to restore the creamy consistency.
• Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley, chives, or toasted sliced almonds on top for added color, texture, and a burst of extra flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Dice chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and create the perfect balance of sauce and meat in every single bite.

How to Serve Chicken a la King

• Serve Over Warm Comfort Bases: Spoon the creamy chicken mixture atop fluffy white rice, buttery toast, or freshly baked buttermilk biscuits for a hearty and satisfying meal.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives on top to add a pop of color and a fresh, bright flavor that complements the rich sauce.
• Pair with Simple Sides: Complement the dish with a crisp green salad or steamed seasonal vegetables to balance the creamy texture and add nutritional value to your meal.
• Create a Retro Dinner Spread: Serve alongside classic sides like roasted asparagus or a light cucumber salad to embrace the nostalgic charm of this vintage recipe.

Storing Your Chicken a la King Meal

• Refrigerate Quickly: Store leftover Chicken a la King in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain food safety and freshness.
• Maximize Freshness: Keep refrigerated portions for 3-4 days, ensuring the best taste and texture when stored properly in sealed containers.
• Smart Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore creamy consistency and prevent sauce separation.
• Freeze with Caution: While edible, frozen Chicken a la King may experience texture changes due to cream-based sauce. If freezing, consume within 1-2 months and thaw slowly in the refrigerator before carefully reheating.

Velvety Chicken A La King Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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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.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 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

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Instructions

1. 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.
2. Flour Integration: Evenly sprinkle flour over the mushrooms, stirring continuously to create a uniform roux without dry flour patches.
3. Liquid Incorporation: Gradually pour chicken broth and whole milk into the roux, whisking consistently to prevent lumps and create a smooth base.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Final Cooking: Maintain low heat while stirring, ensuring a creamy consistency without boiling, then fold in frozen peas, pimientos, and diced chicken.
7. 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