Description
Chicken a la King is a classic American comfort food featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a creamy mushroom sauce with peas and pimentos. Served over warm baked biscuits, this dish combines rich flavors and a velvety texture that’s perfect for a hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 medium chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt (to season chicken), to taste
- Black pepper (to season chicken), to taste
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup butter
- 1 shallot, finely diced
- 8 ounces white button mushrooms, sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 cup frozen peas
- â…“ cup pimentos, drained and chopped
To Serve
- 8 baked biscuits (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces in an even layer and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned but not fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté Shallots and Mushrooms: In the same skillet, add the butter. Once melted, stir in the diced shallots and sliced mushrooms. Cook while stirring occasionally until the shallots become translucent and the mushrooms soften.
- Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic along with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
- Make the Roux: Sprinkle the flour into the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until the flour is fully incorporated and no dry streaks remain, forming a roux to thicken the sauce.
- Add Liquids: Gradually pour in the chicken broth while stirring, followed by the half and half, ensuring the mixture is smooth and combined.
- Simmer with Chicken: Return the partially cooked chicken to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the chicken to cook completely.
- Add Peas and Pimentos: Stir in the frozen peas and chopped pimentos. Continue cooking until they are heated through, about 5 more minutes.
- Serve: Spoon the Chicken a la King over warm baked biscuits, and garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy this creamy, comforting dish immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter option, use low-fat half and half or milk instead of full-fat half and half.
- Homemade biscuits or store-bought baked biscuits work well for serving.
- This dish can also be served over rice or egg noodles as an alternative to biscuits.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Make sure to cook the chicken until it is no longer pink inside for food safety.
