Easy Classic Chicken A La King Recipe That’s Ready in 30 Minutes

Chicken a la king represents a timeless culinary comfort that embodies creamy, rich indulgence for home cooks and food enthusiasts.

Its velvety sauce and tender protein have delighted generations of families around dinner tables.

Nostalgic yet sophisticated, this classic dish upgrades simple ingredients into something remarkably elegant and satisfying.

Hearty and luxurious, the recipe speaks to traditional American home cooking with its decadent cream-based preparation.

Centuries of culinary evolution have refined this beloved recipe into a perfectly balanced meal that combines protein, vegetables, and a silky sauce.

Home chefs appreciate its versatility and relatively straightforward technique for creating something that feels restaurant-worthy.

Rich flavors meld together, creating a harmonious blend that feels simultaneously familiar and exciting.

Prepare to elevate your weeknight dinner with a recipe that promises pure, comforting deliciousness.

Why You’ll Love Classic Chicken a la King

• Creamy Comfort Perfection: This Chicken a la King delivers a velvety, luxurious sauce that wraps around every bite with pure comfort food magic, making it an instant mood-lifter.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Wonder: Prepare this classic dish in under 30 minutes, transforming simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal that impresses without complicated techniques.
• Versatile Serving Superstar: Easily adaptable to multiple serving bases like rice, pasta, toast, or biscuits, this recipe gives you flexibility to match any craving or pantry ingredients.
• Nostalgic Flavor Journey: Bringing back memories of home-cooked meals, this recipe combines traditional cooking methods with rich, layered flavors that connect generations through delicious simplicity.

Chicken a la King Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken: Tender meat that forms the heart of the dish, choose boneless and skinless for easy preparation.
• Egg Yolks: Provide richness and help thicken the sauce, select fresh farm eggs for best results.

• Butter, Flour: Classic roux base that creates a smooth, thickened sauce with rich flavor.
• Milk, Heavy Cream: Create a silky, luxurious sauce texture and add depth to the dish.
• Chicken Broth: Provides savory liquid base that enhances overall flavor profile.

• Mushrooms, Peas: Add texture and subtle earthy sweetness to the dish, fresh or frozen work well.
• Pimientos: Bright red peppers that contribute color and mild sweet pepper flavor.

Step-by-Step Chicken a la King

Step 1: Sauté Mushrooms

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Melt butter and add mushrooms, cooking until they become soft and golden, about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Create Silky Sauce Base

Sprinkle flour over the mushrooms, stirring constantly to create a smooth mixture. Slowly pour in chicken broth and milk, whisking to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the sauce thickens, around 3 minutes.

Step 3: Elevate with Creamy Egg Mixture

• Egg yolks
• Heavy cream

Carefully temper the egg mixture by slowly adding of the hot sauce, stirring continuously. Pour the tempered mixture back into the skillet and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring gently.

Step 4: Add Colorful Ingredients

• Cooked chicken pieces
• Sweet green peas
• Vibrant pimientos

Warm the mixture through for 2-3 minutes, ensuring all ingredients are heated evenly.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

• Fluffy rice
• Wide egg noodles
• Crispy toast
• Warm buttermilk biscuits

This luxurious Chicken a la King transforms simple ingredients into a comforting meal that brings warmth and flavor to your dinner table. The velvety sauce, tender chicken, and colorful vegetables create a classic dish that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

Pro Tip: For extra richness, consider garnishing with fresh chopped parsley or a sprinkle of black pepper just before serving.

Chicken a la King Tips and Tricks

• Select Fresh Ingredients: Choose plump, firm mushrooms and high-quality chicken for the most flavorful results.
• Temper with Care: Slowly add hot sauce to egg yolks to prevent scrambling, creating a silky smooth sauce.
• Control Heat Precisely: Maintain a gentle simmer when thickening the sauce to avoid scorching or breaking the cream.
• Prep Ahead: Chop vegetables and measure ingredients beforehand to ensure a smooth, stress-free cooking process.
• Customize Creatively: Experiment with different proteins like turkey or swap vegetables to make the recipe your own personal comfort classic.

Storing and Reheating Chicken a la King

• Store Leftovers
• Refrigerate chicken a la king in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth. Store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze Method: Transfer to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1/2 inch space for expansion. Label with date and contents. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Frozen dishes might slightly separate when thawed.
• Reheat Technique: Gently warm in microwave or stovetop. Add splash of milk or chicken broth to restore creamy consistency. Stir frequently to prevent scorching. Heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Avoid multiple reheating cycles to maintain best flavor and texture.

What Goes with Chicken a la King

• Pair with Crisp Chardonnay: A buttery, medium-bodied white wine complements the creamy sauce and cuts through the richness of the chicken dish.
• Serve Alongside Fresh Salad: A light, tangy green salad with a lemon vinaigrette balances the heavy, creamy texture of Chicken a la King and adds a refreshing contrast.
• Match with Crusty Artisan Bread: Warm, crusty sourdough or rustic French bread helps soak up the delicious sauce and provides a satisfying textural element to the meal.
• Enhance with Roasted Asparagus: Garlic-roasted asparagus spears bring a subtle earthy flavor and vibrant green color that perfectly accompanies the classic comfort dish.

Chicken a la King Recipe Variations

• Seafood Symphony: Replace chicken with succulent shrimp or tender crab meat for an elegant maritime version of the classic dish.
• Vegetarian Velvet: Swap chicken with roasted cauliflower or chunky portobello mushrooms, creating a hearty plant-based alternative that maintains the creamy sauce's luxurious texture.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Add diced green chiles, jalapeños, and a sprinkle of cumin to give the traditional recipe a zesty kick that transforms the mild flavor profile into a bold, exciting meal.
• Mediterranean Medley: Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and a touch of oregano to infuse the classic recipe with bright Mediterranean flavors and aromatic herbs.

Classic Chicken A La King Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy chicken a la king brings comfort from an American kitchen tradition. Rich, velvety sauce embraces tender chicken and colorful vegetables, creating a nostalgic meal you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 cups chopped cooked chicken

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup drained pimientos

Sauce and Thickening Ingredients:

• ½ cup (113 grams) salted butter
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups milk
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• 2 egg yolks

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Instructions

1. Heat unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until melted and bubbling.
2. Add sliced mushrooms and sauté until they release their moisture and become tender and golden brown, approximately 4-5 minutes.
3. Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the mushrooms, stirring continuously to create a smooth, even coating without any dry flour patches.
4. Gradually pour in chicken broth and whole milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
5. Increase heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 2-3 minutes.
6. In a separate bowl, whisk 2 egg yolks with heavy cream until smooth and well combined.
7. Carefully ladle of the hot sauce into the egg mixture, whisking continuously to temper the eggs and prevent curdling.
8. Slowly pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan, stirring constantly to integrate and maintain a smooth consistency.
9. Continue cooking on low heat for an additional 2 minutes, ensuring the sauce remains creamy and does not boil.
10. Fold in frozen peas, diced pimientos, and cooked, diced chicken.
11. Warm the mixture thoroughly for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the ingredients to heat evenly.
12. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
13. Serve immediately over steamed rice, wide egg noodles, toasted bread, or warm buttermilk biscuits.

Notes

• Master tempering technique carefully to prevent egg yolks from scrambling when adding hot sauce.
• Select fresh, high-quality mushrooms for deeper, more robust flavor in the sauce.
• Use leftover roasted chicken for added depth and to reduce overall cooking time.
• Customize serving options like rice, toast, or pasta based on personal preference and pantry availability.
• Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and food safety.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 485 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 245 mg