Chicken A La King Recipe
Chicken a la King is a classic American dish that's been around for generations. The creamy sauce and chicken is the perfect comfort food for a cold winter day. It's easy to make and freezes well, making it a great make-ahead meal. This recipe has all the classic flavors and ingredients, but also includes a few unique touches to make it even more flavorful. Read on to learn how to make this classic dish.
Ingredients
To make Chicken a la King, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup frozen green peas
- 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
To make Chicken a la King:
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until vegetables are softened.
- Stir in the flour and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Slowly stir in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened.
- Stir in the cream, chicken, salt, and pepper and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Stir in the frozen peas, mushrooms, and parsley and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve hot over cooked egg noodles or rice.
Tips and Variations
For an even creamier sauce, you can replace the chicken broth with whole milk. To make it even richer, replace the heavy cream with half-and-half. If you want to add a bit of heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce. For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with cooked and diced mushrooms or diced cooked potatoes. You can also add a bit of cooked and diced bacon or ham for a smoky flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken a la King is delicious served over cooked egg noodles or steamed white or brown rice. You can also serve it over mashed potatoes or with buttered toast or biscuits. For a heartier meal, you can add cooked and diced carrots, green beans, or corn to the sauce. This dish also goes well with a side of steamed vegetables or a tossed green salad.
Storage and Reheating
To store, let the dish cool completely and transfer to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, transfer to a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until heated through, stirring occasionally. You can also reheat it in the microwave for about 3 minutes.
Conclusion
Chicken a la King is a classic American dish that's easy to make and tastes great. It's perfect for a cozy winter meal and can be served over a variety of sides. With just a few simple ingredients, you can enjoy this comforting dish any night of the week. Give this recipe a try and see what you think.