Chicken A La King is loaded with tender chicken, mushrooms, bell peppers and peas in a rich and creamy sauce. This hearty Chicken Ala King recipe is ready in about 30 minutes!
Recipe for Chicken ala King
Chicken A La King may sound like a fancy chicken recipe made for royals, when in fact this simple and comforting chicken recipe is very similar to a pot pie.
This easy Chicken ALa King recipe is super creamy, rich and incredibly tasty. You can serve it over pasta, rice, toasts, biscuits and my favorite, on a puff pastry shell!
There are many versions of this chicken recipe and different stories of where the dish originated. This delicious, easy and lighter version however, is how my grandmother used to make it.
What is Chicken Ala King Made Of? (Ingredient List)
- Chicken: I use boneless-skinless chicken breast that I poach quickly however, you can use chicken thighs. Leftover rotisserie chicken can be used as well.
- Broth: Store bought or homemade chicken stock or broth.
- Vegetables: Chopped onions (brown, yellow or white), mushrooms (white button mushrooms, cremini or baby bellas), red bell peppers, frozen peas.
- Flour: I use all-purpose flour.
- Half & Half: Whole milk can be used.
- Butter: Unsalted or salted.
- Seasonings: Peppercorns and bay leaf (for poaching the chicken), dried mustard, salt and ground black pepper,
How To Make Chicken A La King
- The first step is to poach the chicken in broth. Skip this step if you are using rotisserie chicken. You can also cook chicken breast from fresh or frozen in your instant pot. Take a look at my Instant Pot Chicken Breasts recipe. It is super easy!
- In a skillet, melt butter and saute the vegetables.
- Cut the chicken into bite size pieces. The chicken can also be shredded.
- When the vegetables are tender, remove them from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the rest of the butter and add the flour. This is called a roux and the base of the sauce/gravy.
- Ladle the poaching liquid/broth slowly, whisking constantly.
- As you start adding the broth, you may see the sauce get a bit lumpy. It’s all good, just keep whisking. It will get smooth and silky.
- Stir in the Half and Half.
- Add the seasonings.
- Return the sauteed veggies to the skillet, add the cooked chicken and frozen peas and mix to combine. If the mixture is too thick, add more broth until you reach a nice, creamy consistency.
Can Chicken A La King Be Made Ahead?
Yes, you can make this chicken recipe ahead of time. Store it in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Can This Chicken Ala King Recipe Be Frozen?
Yes, you can freeze Chicken ALa King for up to 2 months. I like to store it in an air-tight container or in freezer-safe resealable bags.
Is This Chicken Recipe High In Calories?
Classic Chicken A La King is made with whole milk and heavy cream. In this lighter version, the sauce is made with chicken broth or stock and finished with a little bit of Half and Half to add some richness. Whole milk can be used instead, if you prefer. It is important that you use broth and not water.
You have questions? We have answers!
Can I Make Chicken A La King With Tuna?
Absolutely! Use canned solid white tuna in water for better results.
Can I Make This A La King Recipe With Rotisserie Chicken?
Yes, rotisserie chicken works very well in this dish and it is an excellent way to save time.
Is This A Lighter Version Of Chicken A La King?
Although very creamy, this recipe is cooked mostly with chicken broth. A bit of Half and Half is added for creaminess.
Chicken a la King Recipe Tips
- If you don’t like mushrooms, skip them!
- This easy and tasty recipe can be made with other proteins like shrimp, scallops or canned solid white tuna (in water).
- If you want to add extra veggies, chopped celery, frozen diced carrots and frozen corn are great options.
- Add some cayenne pepper to the dish to spice things up!
OTHER CHICKEN RECIPES:
- Chicken Stroganoff
- Baked Chicken Breast
- Baked Chicken Drumsticks
- Creamy Chicken with Mushrooms
- Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
- Chicken Tetrazzini
This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated to provide the reader with additional information. The recipe remains the same.
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Chicken Ala King
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns (optional)
- 4 chicken breast halves, boneless and skinless
- 6 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup flour
- 3/4 cup Half and Half
- 1/4 teaspoon dried mustard
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
To Serve: Biscuits, Rice, Texas Toasts or Baked Puff Pastry Shells (optional)
Instructions
Poaching the Chicken
- In a pot over medium heat, bring the broth, bay leaf and peppercorn to a boil. Add the chicken breast (they should be in a single layer for even cooking), cover the pot and lower the heat. Poach them in the simmering liquid for about 12 to 15 minutes or until the chicken is just cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool until you can handle it. Shred the chicken. Discard the bay leaf and peppercorns and reserve the poaching liquid.
The Rest
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the onions, mushrooms and bell peppers and saute stirring often until the vegetables are tender, about 5 – 6 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the rest of the butter to the skillet and when it melts, whisk in the flour. Cook for about 2 minutes stirring constantly.
- With a ladle, slowly whisk in 1/2 cup of the poaching liquid. The mixture will get thick immediately. Slowly, pour in 1 additional cup of the poaching liquid whisking constantly. A sauce will start to form. Slowly, whisk in the Half and Half.
- Cook the sauce on low heat for about 5 – 6 minutes, stirring often. Add the ground mustard and season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked vegetables, shredded chicken and frozen peas to the sauce and mix to combine. If the mixture is too thick, add more of the poaching liquid until desired consistency. Cover and cook for 2 minutes. Check for seasoning and serve hot.
To Serve
- You can serve over rice, cooked pasta, egg noodles, or with biscuits. You can also fill baked pastry shells with the chicken mixture.
Chef’s Tips
- Instead of poached chicken, use rotisserie chicken.
- Add additional chicken broth/stock if needed.
Karen says
Just the best . Will definitely make it again.
Jacqueline McCray says
This was easy and delicious!!!
Kathy says
Thank you. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Kristine S says
Fabulous! I used leftover rotisserie chicken and this was delicious! I served it over leftover jasmine rice that my husband said was horrible. With this awesome sauce, he never knew what he was eating and he loved it! Bravo!
Kathy says
Thank you!
Christina Schulz says
What a wonderful recipe for this cold days, delicious!
Marie Anti says
I have made something very very similar and as I am a bodybuilder I try to eliminate as much fat as possible……..and possibly carbs. However the only change I did was dipping chopped chicken pieces into corn starch to cook. Then when adding all the veggies, chicken stock etc, adding more corn starch to make a nice thick dish. It is a fabulous dish either way though. Thanks for this.
Kathy says
Hi! Thank you for the feedback! YES cornstarch works and also potato starch (not that potato starch has less calories but at least is gluten free!). You can also decrease the amount of flour to 2 tablespoons (that is 1/2 tablespoon per serving). It may not be as thick but it will still be creamy!! I often use other things like arrowroot to thickened sauces as I try to stay away from flour (not successfully but a girl can try!).
Thanks again!!
b says
We both loved this recipe. Served it with your buttermilk
biscuits. Mine wasn’t’t as pretty as yours but the
flavor was fabulous.
Lisa says
Grandmother’s recipes are always the best — I lost my grandmother about a month ago and I’ve been going into overdrive recreating her best dishes. This one looks absolutely delicious. I haven’t made Chicken a la king in forever.
Kathy says
I am sorry to hear about your loss. <3 Grandmas cooking is always the best!