Save to Pinterest A classic, creamy chicken dish with mushrooms, peppers, and peas, served warm over crisp buttered toast. Comforting and full of flavor, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual brunch.
Chicken à la King was one of the first dishes I cooked for my family that made everyone ask for seconds. It's creamy, simple, and always feels like a special treat.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced (about 300 g)
- Vegetables: 1 cup mushrooms, sliced, 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced, 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed, 1 small onion, finely chopped
- Sauce: 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 tbsp all-purpose flour, 2 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- Toast: 4 slices hearty white or whole wheat bread, 2 tbsp butter (for toasting)
- Garnish (optional): 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp butter. Add the onion, mushrooms, and bell pepper. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened.
- Make Roux:
- Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to form a roux.
- Add Liquids:
- Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, stirring until smooth and thickened, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add Chicken & Cream:
- Add the diced chicken, peas, heavy cream, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Simmer gently for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through and slightly thickened.
- Toast Bread:
- Meanwhile, toast the bread slices and spread each with a little butter.
- Serve:
- Place a slice of toast on each plate and spoon the chicken à la king generously over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Save to Pinterest This dish quickly became a Sunday brunch tradition in our house. The kids love helping toast the bread and garnishing their plates with extra parsley.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken à la King is also delicious spooned over rice, puff pastry shells, or warm biscuits. Pair it with a crisp salad for a balanced meal.
Required Tools
You'll need a large skillet, whisk, knife and cutting board, toaster or oven, and measuring cups and spoons.
Nutrition Facts
Each serving contains about 420 calories, 20 g total fat, 32 g carbohydrates, and 28 g protein.
Save to Pinterest Serve hot for maximum comfort and garnish with additional fresh parsley for extra color and flavor.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Can I use leftover chicken?
Yes, cooked chicken breast, rotisserie chicken, or leftovers work perfectly and save preparation time.
- → What bread is best for serving?
Hearty white, whole wheat, biscuits, puff pastry shells, or even rice offer great serving options for this dish.
- → Can I make the sauce ahead?
The creamy sauce can be prepared in advance and gently reheated before serving. Add a splash of milk if needed.
- → Are there vegetarian alternatives?
Replace chicken with sautéed tofu or extra vegetables for a meatless variation, adjusting seasoning to taste.
- → How can I add more flavor?
Try extra herbs, a splash of white wine, or a sprinkle of shredded cheese for added depth and richness.
- → What wine pairs well?
A crisp white wine like Chardonnay complements the creamy sauce and tender chicken beautifully.