Oh, Creamy Chicken à la King! This dish just screams comfort food to me. It’s one of those classic meals that just warms you up from the inside out, perfect for a chilly evening or honestly, just any day I need a little culinary hug. I remember my mom making this when I was growing up, and the smell alone would make my stomach rumble. It’s so rich and satisfying, with tender chicken and veggies all swimming in this velvety sauce. It’s not fancy, but it’s *so* good, and honestly, it’s pretty darn easy to whip up too. It’s become my absolute go-to when I want something hearty and familiar without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why You'll Love This Creamy Chicken à la King

Seriously, this recipe is a winner for so many reasons! It’s incredibly satisfying and just hits all the right comfort food notes.

Quick Prep & Cook: With only 15 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, you can have this on the table in under 40 minutes!
Amazing Flavor: It’s packed with that rich, savory taste you crave, thanks to the creamy sauce and tender chicken.
So Versatile: Serve it over toast, biscuits, or even fancy puff pastry shells – it’s delicious however you do it!

Gathering Your Creamy Chicken à la King Ingredients

Alright, let’s get everything ready for this delicious dish! It’s pretty straightforward, and having everything prepped makes the cooking part a breeze. Trust me on this!

Essential Aromatics and Vegetables

First up, we need our flavor builders. You’ll want about 1 cup of sliced mushrooms – cremini or white button work great. Then, grab half a cup of chopped green bell pepper and half a cup of chopped onion. Just a nice dice on both, nothing too fancy needed here. These veggies are going to soften up and add such a lovely depth to the sauce.

The Creamy Sauce Base

For that signature creamy texture, we’ll start with 2 tablespoons of butter. Then, we need 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to help thicken everything up. For the liquid, we’ll use 1 and a half cups of chicken broth and 1 cup of milk. Don’t forget the seasonings: half a teaspoon of salt, a quarter teaspoon of black pepper, and just a pinch of paprika for a little color and subtle flavor.

The Heart of the Dish: Chicken and Pimento

You’ll need about 2 cups of cooked, chopped chicken. Leftover rotisserie chicken is perfect for this, or you can just boil or bake a couple of chicken breasts beforehand. And for that little pop of color and sweetness, grab a quarter cup of drained and chopped pimento. It sounds a bit old-fashioned, but it really adds something special!

Finishing Touches

Lastly, for a burst of freshness right at the end, you’ll want about 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley. It just brightens everything up beautifully!

How to Prepare Creamy Chicken à la King: Step-by-Step

Sautéing the Vegetables

Okay, let’s get cooking! First, grab a nice big skillet and melt that 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once it’s all melty and happy, toss in your chopped veggies: the mushrooms, the green bell pepper, and the onion. Give them a good stir and let them cook for about 5 to 7 minutes. You want them to get nice and tender, maybe smelling a little sweet. Don’t rush this part; it really builds the flavor base!

Building the Creamy Sauce

Once the veggies are looking soft, it’s time for the magic to happen. Sprinkle in the 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour right over the veggies and butter. Stir it all around for about a minute – this cooks out that raw flour taste. Now, here’s the key part: slowly, and I mean *slowly*, whisk in the 1 and a half cups of chicken broth and then the 1 cup of milk. Keep whisking constantly! You’re looking for a nice, smooth sauce with no lumps. It’ll start to thicken up as it heats.

Simmering and Seasoning

Once your sauce is looking smooth and starting to bubble a bit, it’s time to season it up! Stir in the half teaspoon of salt, the quarter teaspoon of black pepper, and that little pinch of paprika. Give it another good stir. Let it simmer gently for a few minutes to let those flavors meld together and for the sauce to really thicken up to that perfect creamy consistency.

Adding Chicken and Pimento

Now for the stars of the show! Add your 2 cups of cooked, chopped chicken and the quarter cup of drained, chopped pimento to the skillet. Stir everything gently to coat the chicken in that glorious sauce. Let it all heat through for about 5 minutes. You just want to make sure the chicken is warmed up and the pimento is nicely distributed.

The Final Flourish

Just before you serve it up, stir in the 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley. This adds a lovely pop of color and a fresh, bright flavor that cuts through the richness. It really makes the dish sing! And that’s it – your delicious Creamy Chicken à la King is ready to be enjoyed.

Tips for Perfect Creamy Chicken à la King

You know, even the simplest recipes can sometimes have little quirks, and keeping this Creamy Chicken à la King just right is all about a few little tricks I’ve picked up. Don’t worry, they’re easy!

Achieving the Perfect Sauce Consistency

If your sauce ends up a little too thick, don’t panic! Just stir in a splash more milk or chicken broth until it’s the consistency you love. If it’s too thin, and this happens sometimes, just whisk together another tablespoon of flour with a little cold water or milk to make a smooth slurry, then stir it into the simmering sauce and let it cook for another minute or two until thickened. Easy peasy!

Choosing the Best Chicken

Honestly, leftover roasted chicken or rotisserie chicken is my absolute favorite for this. It already has so much flavor! But if you’re starting from scratch, just poaching or baking a couple of chicken breasts until they’re cooked through and then chopping them works perfectly. Just make sure the chicken is fully cooked before you add it in; you don’t want to be cooking raw chicken in the sauce.

Enhancing the Flavor

For an extra layer of flavor, try letting the flour and veggies cook together for a minute or two longer, just until the flour starts to turn a light golden brown. This toasting step really deepens the nutty flavor of the roux and makes the sauce even richer. Also, don’t skimp on good quality chicken broth – it makes a big difference!

Serving and Storing Your Creamy Chicken à la King

Serving Suggestions

This Creamy Chicken à la King is just begging to be served over something delicious! My absolute favorite is piping hot, buttered toast points – they soak up that amazing sauce so perfectly. But honestly, fluffy biscuits or even delicate puff pastry shells are equally divine. You could even spoon it over rice or mashed potatoes if you’re feeling extra hungry!

Storage and Reheating

Leftovers? Oh yes, there will be leftovers! Just let the dish cool down completely, then pop it into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It should keep well for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, I find the best way is to gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally. If it seems a bit thick, just stir in a splash of milk or broth to get it back to that perfect creamy consistency. Microwaving works too, just stir it halfway through!

Frequently Asked Questions About Creamy Chicken à la King

Can I make Creamy Chicken à la King ahead of time?

Absolutely! This dish is actually fantastic for making ahead. Once it’s cooled, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to serve, gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often. You might need to add a little splash of milk or broth to get it back to that perfect creamy consistency. It’s a lifesaver for busy weeknights!

What are good substitutions for chicken in Creamy Chicken à la King?

If you’re looking for a meatless version or just want to switch things up, you can totally swap out the chicken! Diced firm tofu that’s been pan-fried until golden, cooked turkey, or even some hearty white beans would work really well. For a vegetarian Creamy Chicken à la King, just make sure you’re using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth!

How can I make this Creamy Chicken à la King recipe richer?

For an even more decadent and richer Creamy Chicken à la King, try swapping out half of the milk for half-and-half or even heavy cream. It makes the sauce super luxurious! Also, browning the flour and butter mixture (the roux) a little longer until it’s a light golden color before adding the liquids can give it a deeper, nuttier flavor that adds to the richness.

What vegetables pair well with Creamy Chicken à la King?

While the mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions are classic, you can totally add other veggies! Peas are a wonderful addition – just toss in a handful of frozen peas right at the end with the chicken and pimento to heat through. Diced carrots, cooked and tender, or even some chopped celery would also be delicious additions that add extra color and flavor.

Nutritional Estimate for Creamy Chicken à la King

Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates, and they can totally vary depending on the exact ingredients you use and how big your servings are! But generally, one serving of this Creamy Chicken à la King clocks in around 450 calories. It’s got about 30g of protein, 20g of carbs, and a decent amount of fat (around 25g), which is what makes it so satisfying and creamy. It’s a hearty meal, for sure!

Amazing Creamy Chicken à la King in 40 mins

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A rich and creamy chicken dish with vegetables, served over toast or pastry.

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons butter
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
2 cups cooked, chopped chicken
1/4 cup pimento, drained and chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add mushrooms, green bell pepper, and onion. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly.
Stir in salt, pepper, and paprika.
Add cooked chicken and pimento. Heat through, about 5 minutes.
Stir in parsley just before serving.

Notes

Serve over toast, biscuits, or puff pastry shells.
For a richer flavor, use half-and-half instead of milk.
Add other vegetables like peas or carrots if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 700mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: creamy chicken, chicken a la king, comfort food, classic chicken dish