Welcome to today’s culinary delight: Chicken a la King! This comforting dish is a true classic, featuring tender pieces of chicken enveloped in a rich, creamy mushroom sauce, dotted with sweet peas and vibrant pimentos.
Perfectly paired with rice, egg noodles, or warm biscuits, this recipe is made from scratch to deliver a homemade taste that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re cozying up for a family dinner or hosting friends, Chicken a la King is a dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to the table. Let’s dive into making this delectable meal!
Historical Background
The exact origin of Chicken à la King is unclear, but several stories surround its creation. One popular theory attributes the dish to a chef who worked at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia in the early 1900s. The name “à la King” is thought to derive from the luxurious and sophisticated nature of the dish, suggesting an aristocratic flair.
Throughout its history, Chicken à la King has manifested in various forms. In the mid-20th century, it became a popular choice for dinner parties and was often featured in cookbooks, appealing to the post-war generation eager to impress guests.
Chicken à la King Recipe (a Classic) | The Kitchn
Chicken a la King – The Country Cook
Chicken à la King | The Modern Proper
Chicken a la King – The Cozy Cook
Nutritional Aspects
Chicken à la King is a dish that can be modified to suit various dietary needs.
- Protein: Chicken provides a good source of lean protein, essential for muscle repair and overall health.
- Vitamins and Minerals: The addition of vegetables means additional vitamins, such as vitamin A from bell peppers and vitamin C from peas.
- Caloric Content: While traditionally creamy, versions of Chicken à la King can be made lighter by using low-fat dairy alternatives or increasing the vegetable content.
When prepared thoughtfully, this dish can fit well into a balanced diet, allowing diners to enjoy comfort food without excessive guilt.
Cooking Techniques
The preparation of Chicken à la King involves several culinary techniques that enhance flavor and texture:
- Sautéing: Vegetables are typically sautéed to bring out their natural sweetness and add depth to the dish.
- Deglazing: After browning the chicken, deglazing the pan with wine or broth can create a rich base for the sauce.
- Simmering: Allowing the sauce to simmer helps meld the flavors and creates a creamy texture without being overly heavy.
These techniques are accessible even to novice cooks, making Chicken à la King a popular choice for home cooking.
Modern Variations
Over the years, variations of Chicken à la King have arisen, reflecting diverse culinary preferences and trends.
- Health-Conscious Versions: These may substitute ingredients for lighter options, such as using Greek yogurt instead of cream, or adding additional vegetables for increased fiber content.
- International Twists: Some versions incorporate regional ingredients or flavors, such as curry powder for an Indian-inspired dish or salsa for a Mexican twist.
- One-Pot Meals: Busy cooks may opt for one-pot recipes that incorporate rice or pasta, simplifying the cooking process and minimizing cleanup.
These variations contribute to the dish’s enduring popularity, as they allow it to evolve with contemporary tastes.
Chicken à la King in Popular Culture
Chicken à la King has made its mark not only in kitchens but also in the realm of popular culture.
- Media Appearances: The dish has been featured in various television shows and movies, often symbolizing comfort and indulgence.
- Cookbooks and Magazines: Numerous publications have showcased this dish over the decades, celebrating its nostalgic value while introducing new interpretations.
Such representation ensures that Chicken à la King remains relevant, capturing the hearts of new generations.
A La King Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 8 ounces cremini or white button mushrooms
- 1 (4-ounce) jar diced or sliced pimento peppers
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thighs, or a combination
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided, plus more for serving
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, divided
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can low-sodium chicken broth (scant 2 cups)
- 1 cup half-and-half or whole milk
- 2 tablespoons dry sherry
- 1 cup frozen peas (do not thaw)
- Biscuits, steamed rice, or cooked egg noodles, for serving
Instructions
- Halve and thinly slice 1 medium yellow onion (about 1 ½ cups).
- Thinly slice 8 ounces of cremini or button mushrooms (about 2 ½ cups), halving first if large.
- Drain 1 (4-ounce) jar of pimento peppers.
- Cut 1 ½ pounds of boneless, skinless chicken into bite-size pieces (about ¾-inch).
- Season the chicken with:
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter in a Dutch oven or large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken in a single layer (some overlap is OK).
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (about 8 to 10 minutes).
- Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter in the skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the mushrooms and onion along with:
- Remaining 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Remaining ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Cook, scraping up the brown bits on the bottom of the pan, until the vegetables are tender and light golden-brown (about 5 minutes).
- Sprinkle ⅓ cup all-purpose flour over the vegetables.
- Stir to coat and cook for 1 minute.
- Add:
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup half-and-half or whole milk
- 2 tablespoons dry sherry
- Scrape any brown bits on the bottom of the pan and stir until smooth.
- Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat as needed to maintain a simmer.
- Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pan.
- Add the pimento peppers and 1 cup frozen peas.
- Stir to combine and cook until heated through (about 2 minutes).
- Taste and season with more kosher salt as needed.
- Serve over biscuits, steamed rice, or egg noodles, garnished with more black pepper.
Hey readers! Chip Holland here, and I’m a Manager of this website. My passion for writing about it only matches my passion for BBQ. Follow my blog for mouth-watering recipes, tips, and tricks for the perfect smoke, grill, and BBQ. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!