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Classic Chicken a la King Recipe

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4 from 1 review

Classic Chicken a la King is a comforting creamy dish featuring tender shredded chicken, sautéed mushrooms, peas, and diced pimientos in a rich buttery sauce made with egg yolks and heavy cream. This versatile recipe comes together in just 25 minutes and is perfect served over rice, pasta, toast, or biscuits for a hearty and satisfying meal.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Butter and Vegetables

  • 1/2 cup salted butter
  • 8 ounces white or cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 (8 ounce jar) diced pimientos, drained

Thickening and Liquid Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream

Protein

  • 4 cups shredded cooked chicken

Instructions

  1. Sauté Mushrooms: In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup of salted butter over medium-high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are softened and fragrant.
  2. Make the Sauce: Stir in 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, ensuring the flour is fully incorporated with no visible lumps. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of chicken broth and 1 1/2 cups of milk. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  3. Temper Egg Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 large egg yolks and 1/3 cup heavy cream. Slowly add about 1/2 cup of the hot sauce from the pan into the egg mixture while whisking continuously to temper the eggs and prevent curdling. Pour this tempered mixture back into the saucepan, whisking constantly. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to thicken the sauce further.
  4. Add Vegetables and Chicken: Stir in 1 cup frozen peas, the drained diced pimientos, and 4 cups shredded cooked chicken. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the peas are heated through and the chicken is warmed thoroughly. Season to taste with salt and pepper if desired.
  5. Serve: Serve the Chicken a la King hot over cooked rice, pasta, toast, or biscuits for a delicious and comforting meal.

Notes

  • For best results, use freshly cooked chicken or leftover roast chicken shredded into bite-sized pieces.
  • Make sure to temper the egg yolk mixture slowly to prevent scrambling or curdling of the sauce.
  • This dish can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
  • Variations include adding diced bell peppers or substituting cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce.
  • Chicken a la King can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://avascooking.com/classic-chicken-a-la-king-recipe/