Pin It 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.
I first learned how to make Chicken à la King when I was looking for easy ways to use up leftover chicken. This is one dish my family requests often, and the creamy sauce always brings everyone back for seconds.
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 the 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.
- Combine and simmer:
- 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 the bread:
- Meanwhile, toast the bread slices and spread each with a little butter.
- Serve:
- To 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.
Pin It Chicken à la King reminds me of Sunday brunch when my kids would fight to get the biggest helping. The golden toast soaks up the creamy sauce and makes for memorable family meals.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve Chicken à la King over puff pastry shells, rice, or hot biscuits for a tasty twist. Pair it with a crisp salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Required Tools
You'll need a large skillet, whisk, knife and cutting board, toaster or oven, and measuring cups for this recipe.
Nutritional Information
Each serving has about 420 calories, 20 g fat, 32 g carbohydrates, and 28 g protein.
Pin It Try this classic comfort food whenever you need a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal. Chicken à la King always makes dinner feel a little more special.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of bread works best for this dish?
Hearty white or whole wheat bread is ideal, as it holds up well when toasted and topped with the creamy chicken mixture.
- → Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Yes, diced cooked chicken breast or rotisserie chicken can be used to save time without compromising flavor.
- → How is the creamy sauce thickened?
The sauce is thickened using a roux made from butter and flour, followed by gradual addition of milk and chicken broth until smooth.
- → Are there suggested garnishes?
Freshly chopped parsley adds a pop of color and freshness when sprinkled over the finished dish.
- → Can the dish be served with alternatives to toast?
Yes, serving it over puff pastry shells, rice, or biscuits offers delicious variations.