Chicken a la King is a classic American dish that typically consists of diced chicken cooked in a creamy sauce with mushrooms, peppers, and sometimes other vegetables, and served over rice, pasta, or toast.
1 Sweet Onion
1 Green Pepper
8 oz Mushrooms
Fresh Parsley
3-4 Carrots
12 oz Peas
1 Cup Heavy Cream
4 tbsp Butter
2.5 Cups Chicken Broth
16 oz Egg Noodles
4 oz of Pimientos Peppers
4-6 Chicken Cutlets
2 tbsp Flour
Start by cutting up your fresh vegetables:
By doing this, you’re already making a significant improvement between this homemade chicken a la king compared to its can version.
When making homemade chicken a la king, you can choose high-quality ingredients such as fresh chicken, mushrooms, peppers, and cream, and seasonings to taste. You have control over the flavor profile, and can adjust the ingredients and seasonings to suit your preferences. This results in a dish that is more flavorful and has a fresher taste than the canned version.
In contrast, canned chicken a la king is made with processed ingredients that have been cooked and canned for shelf stability. The ingredients used in canned chicken a la king may not be as fresh as those used in homemade versions, and the flavors may be somewhat muted due to the canning process. Additionally, canned versions may contain added preservatives, fillers, or artificial flavors, which can affect the taste and texture of the dish.
I didn’t specifically list any seasoning for the chicken because there are plenty of things you can do with it, but the most important thing to do is just make sure you season it with something. If you don’t season your chicken for making chicken a la king, your dish may lack flavor and taste somewhat bland. Seasoning your chicken is important because it helps to enhance the natural flavor of the meat and adds depth and complexity to the dish.
My typical seasoning for chicken is just a combination of:
Let the chicken sit in the olive oil and seasoning for a while to allow the flavor absorb, creating a more juicy and tender version of the chicken.
Cook the chicken on medium high heat for roughly 4-5 minutes on each side.
Let the chicken rest for roughly 5 minutes, which you can then either cut into strips, bite size pieces, or just leave whole.
Start by adding the 4 tbsp of butter to the skillet and melting it down.
Then, add your onions, green peppers, and mushrooms. Cook down for 3-4 minutes on medium heat.
Once the vegetables have cooked down a bit, add the minced garlic. Cook and continue to stir for another 3-4 minutes or until the mixture is soft and tender.
Next, you will need to add flour to the mixture to help thicken the inevitable sauce. Add 2 tbsp of flour and mix thoroughly, cook down for about a minute.
After about a minute, add in 2.5 cups of chicken broth.
Stir the broth into the vegetables and cook for about 2 minutes.
Continue to cook the sauce on medium heat until the it starts to bubble, then lower the heat down to simmer before adding the remaining ingredients.
Add the remaining ingredients:
Place a lid on the skillet and let everything simmer for roughly 20 minutes. This will give plenty of time for the carrots and peas to cook, and continue to build depth and flavor throughout the sauce. During this time, you can cook the egg noodles.
Egg noodles are a type of pasta made with wheat flour and eggs. They are typically thin and flat, with a slightly chewy texture and a rich, buttery flavor. Egg noodles are a popular ingredient in many cuisines around the world and are commonly used in dishes such as stroganoff, chicken noodle soup, and beef and noodles.
There are many variations of egg noodles because they can be made with different types of flour, different ratios of flour to egg, and different methods of preparation. For example, some egg noodles are made with all-purpose flour, while others may be made with semolina flour or a combination of different types of flours. The ratio of eggs to flour can also vary, which can affect the texture and flavor of the noodles.
Additionally, egg noodles can be made using different methods of preparation. Some egg noodles are rolled out and cut by hand, while others may be extruded through a machine or pressed through a noodle press. The shape and size of the noodles can also vary depending on the method used to make them.
Cook the egg noodles for roughly 10-12 minutes and set aside.
Before adding the mixture on top of the egg noodles, you can add the chicken to the mixture and let it absorb the sauce that has been simmering for quite some time.
The last step before adding the mixture on top of the egg noodles would be to add some fresh herbs, and in this case…parsley. Parsley has a fresh and slightly bitter taste that pairs well with the creamy and rich sauce of chicken a la king. Additionally, parsley adds a vibrant green color to the dish, which can help to make it more visually appealing.
Pour the chicken and vegetable mixture over the egg noodles (or starch of your choice) and top with some additional fresh parsley.
Enjoy!
Gene’s love for Chicken A La King
The origins of chicken a la king are somewhat unclear and there are several stories about how the dish was first created. One popular theory is that it was invented in the late 19th century by Chef George Greenwald, who worked at the Brighton Beach Hotel in New York. According to this theory, Greenwald created the dish for a wealthy businessman named E. Clark King, who was a regular guest at the hotel.
Another theory is that chicken a la king was first created by French chefs working in New York City during the late 19th or early 20th century. In this version of the story, the dish was named after King Alphonse XIII of Spain, who was visiting New York at the time and was served the dish.
Regardless of its origins, chicken a la king became a popular dish in the United States during the early 20th century and was commonly served in restaurants and hotels. The dish typically consists of chicken cooked in a creamy sauce with mushrooms, bell peppers, and other vegetables, and is usually served over rice, noodles, or toast points.
Today, chicken a la king remains a popular comfort food and can be found on the menu of many diners and casual restaurants in the United States.
Chicken a la king is a versatile dish that can be served in several ways, depending on your preference. Here are some common ways to serve chicken a la king:
No matter how you choose to serve chicken a la king, be sure to garnish it with fresh parsley or other herbs for added flavor and visual appeal.
