This Easy Chicken A La King Dinner is pure comfort in a skillet. It has that old-fashioned, homey feel that makes people sit down, relax, and enjoy a real meal. Also, it is the kind of dish that works well on busy nights, because it tastes special without asking for much effort.
At the center of this recipe is a creamy sauce made with 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 8 oz white mushrooms, 1 small yellow onion, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 2 cups chicken stock, and 1 cup half-and-half. Then, 1 cup frozen petite peas, 1/2 cup jarred diced pimentos, and 3 cups cooked shredded chicken add color, texture, and hearty flavor. Finally, you can serve it over 8 warm baked biscuits, 4 cups hot cooked rice, or 8 oz cooked egg noodles, with chopped fresh parsley if you like a fresh finish. The flavor is creamy, savory, lightly sweet, and satisfying.
The method is simple, too. First, you sauté the mushrooms and onion in butter. Then, you season, make a quick roux, and slowly whisk in the stock and half-and-half. After that, the sauce thickens on the stove, and you stir in the peas, pimentos, and chicken until everything is hot and ready. Because the steps are straightforward, this recipe feels very doable, even if you do not cook often.
This chicken a la king dinner is especially nice on chilly nights, busy weeknights, or any time you want a cozy meal that feeds the family well. It is also great for using leftover chicken, so it can help cut down on waste while still giving you a meal that feels fresh and filling.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken A La King Dinner
- It is quick and comforting, so you get a warm, home-style meal in about 40 minutes.
- It uses simple ingredients that are easy to find in most grocery stores.
- It is a smart way to use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken.
- It works with biscuits, rice, or egg noodles, so you can serve it your favorite way.
- It has a creamy, savory sauce that feels classic and satisfying.
Chicken Tips
For the best Easy Chicken A La King Dinner, start with well-cooked chicken that is tender and easy to shred. Rotisserie chicken works very well because it is flavorful and already cooked, so it saves time. Leftover roast chicken is also a smart choice, especially if you want to stretch another meal. If you cook chicken just for this recipe, make sure it is not dry, because the sauce should stay creamy and the chicken should stay juicy. Also, shred or chop the chicken into bite-size pieces so it blends into the sauce nicely.
Options for Substitutions
- Use salted butter if that is what you have, but reduce the added salt a little.
- Swap cremini mushrooms for white mushrooms if you want a deeper mushroom flavor.
- Use yellow onion as written, or try a sweet onion for a milder taste.
- Replace half-and-half with whole milk for a lighter sauce, though it will be less rich.
- Use chicken broth instead of chicken stock if that is what is in your pantry.
- If you do not have pimentos, use red bell pepper, finely chopped and sautéed briefly.
Watch Out for These Mistakes
One common mistake is cooking the mushrooms and onion too fast. You want the mushroom liquid to cook off before you move on, because extra moisture can make the sauce thin and watery. So, give them time in the skillet and stir often.
Another issue is not cooking the roux long enough. The flour needs about 2 minutes in the butter so the raw taste disappears. If you rush this step, the sauce can taste chalky or pasty. On the other hand, if you brown it too much, the sauce may turn darker than you want.
It is also important to add the stock and half-and-half slowly. If you pour too fast, lumps can form. Instead, whisk or stir as you add the liquid, and the sauce should stay smooth. Because the sauce thickens as it cooks, keep the heat low once the liquid is in.
Finally, do not add the chicken too early if it is already cooked. The goal is to warm it through, not dry it out. Since the chicken only needs a few minutes in the sauce, add it near the end and heat gently until it reaches 165°F.
What to Serve With Easy Chicken A La King Dinner?
This dish pairs well with simple sides that do not fight the creamy sauce. A crisp green salad adds freshness, while steamed green beans or roasted broccoli bring in a nice vegetable balance. If you want something soft and cozy, buttery corn or mashed potatoes also work well. And because the sauce is rich, a light fruit salad can make the meal feel complete without making it too heavy.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftover chicken a la king in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For the best texture, store the sauce and base separately if possible.
Freeze: Freeze the chicken a la king for up to 2 months. Let it cool first, then place it in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Reheat: For the stovetop, warm it slowly over low heat and add a splash of stock or milk if the sauce seems thick. For the microwave, heat in short bursts, stirring between each one, until hot all the way through.
Recipe Info
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 4 servings
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
Calories: about 1,750 to 1,850
Protein: about 110 to 125 grams
Fat: about 105 to 120 grams
Carbohydrates: about 85 to 100 grams
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 8 oz white mushrooms, sliced
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup frozen petite peas
- 1/2 cup jarred diced pimentos, drained and chopped
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or leftover roast chicken)
- FOR SERVING:
- 8 warm baked biscuits, or 4 cups hot cooked rice, or 8 oz cooked egg noodles
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Mushrooms and Onion
Melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and onion, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until they soften and most of the mushroom liquid cooks off. This step builds the base flavor for the sauce, so let the vegetables do their work.
Step 2: Add the Seasoning
Stir in the garlic powder, black pepper, and kosher salt. At this point, the mixture should smell warm and savory. Since the seasoning goes in early, it can blend into the butter and vegetables before the sauce thickens.
Step 3: Make the Roux
Sprinkle in the flour and stir until it forms a paste. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, so the raw flour taste cooks out. This is your roux, and it helps thicken the sauce into that classic creamy chicken a la king texture.
Step 4: Add the Liquids and Thicken
Slowly pour in the chicken stock and half-and-half, stirring the whole time to keep the sauce smooth. Then reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes. The sauce should become thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Step 5: Finish with Chicken, Peas, and Pimentos
Stir in the peas, pimentos, and shredded chicken. Cook for about 3 minutes, just until the peas are hot and the chicken is warmed through to 165°F. Because the filling is already cooked, this step is really about bringing everything together.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Spoon the chicken a la king over split warm biscuits, rice, or egg noodles. Then, if you want, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for a bright finish. Serve right away while the sauce is hot and creamy.
Conclusion
Easy Chicken A La King Dinner is a warm, creamy, and comforting meal that fits real life. It uses simple ingredients, comes together in one skillet, and gives you several serving options, which makes it very flexible. Best of all, it is a smart way to turn cooked chicken into a meal that feels special.
If you are looking for a cozy dinner that is simple enough for a weeknight but classic enough for company, this recipe is a great choice. Try it soon, then come back and share how you served it. And if you enjoy easy comfort food, be sure to explore more cozy chicken recipes on the blog.
Chicken A La King
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and onion, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until they soften and most of the mushroom liquid cooks off.
- Stir in the garlic powder, black pepper, and kosher salt. Allow the seasoning to blend into the butter and vegetables.
- Sprinkle in the flour and stir until it forms a paste. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to remove the raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour in the chicken stock and half-and-half, stirring constantly to keep the sauce smooth. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in the peas, pimentos, and shredded chicken. Cook for about 3 minutes until the peas are hot and the chicken is warmed through.
- Spoon the chicken a la king over the warm biscuits, rice, or egg noodles. Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
