Chicken à la King is that retro comfort food we all crave but sometimes forget exists. Creamy, savory, and satisfying, this dish is a weeknight hero and a dinner party secret weapon. It starts with tender chunks of chicken in a rich, buttery sauce with mushrooms, bell peppers, and just enough spice to wake up your taste buds. Spoon it over toast, rice, pasta, or puff pastry and you’re set with a meal that feels both nostalgic and elevated.
What makes Chicken à la King special isn’t just how quickly it comes together but how flexible it is. Whether you’re using leftover rotisserie chicken or making it fresh from scratch, the results are consistently delicious. It has that cozy appeal of pot pie filling but comes together in a skillet in just 30 minutes. One bite and you’ll remember why this classic deserves a spot back on your dinner rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken à la King
This dish is creamy and comforting without being heavy. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a warm, flavorful meal without a lot of prep. You can serve it over whatever base you love most: egg noodles, rice, biscuits, or even mashed potatoes. It’s budget-friendly, freezer-friendly, and full of rich flavor that tastes like you worked on it for hours.
Chicken à la King also works well with veggies that are about to go soft in the fridge, making it a great zero-waste dinner idea. Plus, it’s kid-friendly and elegant enough to serve at brunch with puff pastry shells.
What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?
The beauty of this dish is its flexibility. Leftover rotisserie chicken? Absolutely. Poached chicken breasts? Perfect. Cooked thighs? Even better for flavor. If you’re cooking chicken fresh for this, season it well and cube it after it’s cooked through. The important part is tender, bite-sized pieces that soak up all that luscious creamy sauce.
Ingredients for the Chicken à la King
Chicken à la King is all about a rich, creamy base and well-seasoned chicken. Each ingredient adds texture or flavor to build the perfect bite.
Chicken breast or thighs – Cooked and cubed, this is the heart of the dish. You want juicy, well-seasoned chicken for the best flavor.
Butter – Adds richness and helps cook the vegetables.
All-purpose flour – Thickens the sauce to a luscious consistency.
Milk and chicken broth – The base for that signature creamy sauce. Use whole milk for a richer taste.
Heavy cream – Optional but adds a silky finish.
Green bell pepper – For color and a little sweetness.
Mushrooms – Add umami and depth. Fresh is best, but canned will do.
Pimentos or roasted red peppers – Brings a subtle tang and lovely red color.
Salt and pepper – Simple seasoning that makes everything pop.
Garlic powder or minced garlic – Adds warmth and aroma.
How To Make the Chicken à la King
Step 1: Sauté the Veggies
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add mushrooms and bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Step 2: Build the Roux
Stir in the flour and cook for a minute or two to form a roux. This will help thicken your sauce and eliminate the raw flour taste.
Step 3: Add Liquids
Slowly whisk in the milk and chicken broth. Keep stirring until the sauce starts to thicken and bubble.
Step 4: Creamy Finish
Add in the heavy cream, garlic, and pimentos. Stir to combine and let it gently simmer.
Step 5: Fold in the Chicken
Add the cooked chicken and stir until everything is well-coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Step 6: Serve Warm
Serve over toast, biscuits, noodles, or puff pastry shells. Garnish with parsley if you like a fresh finish.
Serving and Storing Chicken à la King
This dish serves about 4 to 6 people, depending on what you serve it with. It’s a crowd-pleaser and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep too.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce.
You can also freeze Chicken à la King for up to 2 months. Let it cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.
What to Serve With Chicken à la King?
Egg Noodles
A classic pairing that holds up to the creamy sauce and gives you that cozy, homestyle vibe.
Buttery Rice
Fluffy white or jasmine rice soaks up every drop of the flavorful sauce beautifully.
Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes turn this into the ultimate comfort plate.
Puff Pastry Shells
For a brunch-worthy twist, serve the chicken inside puff pastry shells for a light, flaky bite.
Buttermilk Biscuits
Crumbly, buttery biscuits are a Southern classic that makes this dish extra indulgent.
Roasted Broccoli
A healthy green side that balances out the richness and adds some texture.
Garlic Green Beans
Add some crunch and freshness to your plate with garlicky green beans.
Mixed Greens Salad
A simple salad with vinaigrette can cut through the richness and round out the meal.
Want More Chicken Dinner Ideas?
If you’re loving this cozy Chicken à la King, there are more creamy comfort food dishes you should check out:
• Creamy Ground Beef Alfredo Pasta for another stovetop classic.
• Stovetop Creamy Ground Beef Pasta if you’re looking for beefy richness in under 30 minutes.
• Cheesesteak Tortellini in Rich Provolone Sauce when you want a cheesesteak pasta fusion.
• Creamy Beef and Shells for a hearty, kid-friendly meal.
• Cheesy Baked Tortellini with Meat Sauce if you’re craving an oven-baked classic.
Save This Recipe For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can find it any time you’re craving creamy comfort food.
Let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you use rotisserie chicken or make it fresh? Did you sneak in any veggies?
I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other create meals worth remembering.
Explore beautifully curated comfort classics and easy weeknight meals on Mia Recipes on Pinterest and discover your next dinner favorite!
Chicken à la King
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings
Description
This creamy Chicken à la King recipe is a comforting, classic American dish made with tender chicken, mushrooms, bell peppers, and a rich homemade sauce. Perfect over rice, biscuits, or noodles for a weeknight dinner or brunch favorite.
Ingredients
2 cups cooked chicken breast or thighs, cubed
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup pimentos or roasted red peppers, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add mushrooms and bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to form a roux.
3. Slowly whisk in the milk and chicken broth. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens and begins to bubble.
4. Add the heavy cream, garlic, and pimentos. Stir and let it simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes.
5. Add the cooked chicken and stir to coat well in the sauce. Cook until everything is heated through.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve warm over toast, noodles, rice, or puff pastry.
Notes
This dish freezes well for up to 2 months.
Add peas or carrots for more color and veggie boost.
Use rotisserie chicken to cut down prep time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 490mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
