Hearty Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King Recipe

Chicken à la king transforms ordinary poultry into a luxurious comfort meal that whisks you straight to grandma’s kitchen.

Creamy, velvety sauce envelops tender chicken pieces in a nostalgic embrace of flavor.

Each spoonful promises warmth and satisfaction through its rich, silky texture.

Home cooks adore this classic dish for its simplicity and crowd-pleasing qualities.

The recipe combines delicate ingredients that meld together in perfect harmony.

Hearty yet elegant, this comfort classic elevates weeknight dinners with minimal effort.

Prepare to fall in love with a timeless culinary masterpiece that guarantees smiles around the dinner table.

Why Chicken à la King Feels Like a Classic Throwback

• Savor Quick Comfort: Whip up this delightful Chicken Ala King in just 45 minutes, delivering a satisfying meal that transforms simple ingredients into a creamy, luxurious dinner experience.
• Texture Wonderland: Enjoy a delightful blend of tender shredded chicken, soft mushrooms, and sweet peas nestled in a velvety sauce that coats every bite with rich, smooth goodness.
• Versatile Meal Magic: Serve this classic dish over pasta, rice, or buttered biscuits, making it an incredibly flexible recipe that adapts to your mood and pantry staples with effortless charm.
• Flavor-Packed Simplicity: Master a restaurant-quality meal using basic ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques that require minimal culinary skills while delivering maximum taste satisfaction.

What Goes Into This Rich, Creamy Chicken Dish

• Shredded Chicken: Tender and juicy protein that forms the heart of the dish, best when using leftover or freshly cooked chicken.

• Mushrooms: Earthy and flavorful fungi that add depth and texture to the sauce.
• Onion: Sweet and aromatic base vegetable that provides foundational flavor.
• Frozen Peas: Sweet, bright green vegetables that bring color and light texture to the dish.
• Pimentos: Mild, sweet red peppers that add vibrant color and gentle pepper flavor.

• Half-and-Half, Chicken Stock: Rich and creamy liquids that create a smooth, luxurious sauce base.

• Garlic Powder: Convenient seasoning that adds instant savory depth.
• Black Pepper: Sharp and aromatic spice that enhances overall flavor profile.
• Kosher Salt: Classic seasoning that balances and highlights other ingredients.
• Flour: Essential thickening agent that helps create a smooth, silky sauce texture.

• Unsalted Butter: Rich and flavorful fat that provides a golden base for sautéing and building sauce.

How to Make Chicken à la King in One Pot

Step 1: Warm Up The Skillet

Heat a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Melt of unsalted butter until it’s bubbling and golden.

Step 2: Sauté Vegetables

• Sliced mushrooms
• Diced onion

Cook for 5 minutes until onions become soft and translucent, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Season The Mixture

• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Kosher salt

Stir to distribute seasonings evenly.

Step 4: Create A Smooth Roux

Dust all-purpose flour over the seasoned vegetables. Stir thoroughly to create a smooth paste, cooking for 2 minutes without browning.

Step 5: Pour In Creamy Liquids

• Half-and-half
• Chicken stock

Stir continuously to prevent lumps and fully incorporate the flour.

Step 6: Develop Sauce Consistency

Reduce heat to medium. Simmer and stir the mixture for 5 minutes until it thickens nicely.

Step 7: Mix In Remaining Ingredients

• Chopped pimentos
• Frozen peas
• Shredded chicken

Stir until all ingredients are well combined.

Step 8: Final Heating

Continue cooking for 3 more minutes, ensuring everything is heated through.

Step 9: Serve And Enjoy

• Freshly cooked pasta
• Steamed rice
• Split buttered biscuits

Tips for Smooth Sauce and Tender Chicken

• Elevate Texture Perfectly: Shred rotisserie chicken into bite-sized pieces for consistent, tender morsels that blend seamlessly with the creamy sauce.
• Balance Seasoning Carefully: Taste the sauce before adding chicken and adjust salt and pepper to prevent bland or overly salty results.
• Control Sauce Consistency: If sauce becomes too thick, thin with additional chicken stock; if too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce and concentrate flavors.
• Brighten Flavor Instantly: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives just before serving to add a pop of color and fresh herbal notes.
• Maximize Leftover Potential: Store chicken ala king in an airtight container for up to three days, reheating gently to maintain sauce's luxurious texture.

How to Store Chicken à la King for Easy Reheat

• Preserve Freshness: Store the Chicken à la King in a tightly sealed glass container with a snap-on lid to maintain optimal taste and texture. Glass containers prevent flavor absorption and keep the creamy sauce intact better than plastic alternatives.
• Cooling Strategy: Allow the dish to reach room temperature naturally before refrigerating, which prevents moisture buildup and potential bacterial growth. Place the container on a cooling rack, spreading the heat evenly and reducing condensation risks.
• Quick Consumption: Enjoy refrigerated Chicken à la King within 2-3 days for the best flavor and quality. Consume earlier for maximum taste, as cream-based sauces tend to lose their smooth consistency and richness over time. Avoid repeated reheating to preserve the dish's original delicate texture and prevent potential food safety issues.

Modern Takes on a Retro Recipe

• Rustic Country Skillet: Replace half-and-half with whole milk and add diced bacon for extra richness and smoky flavor. Sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese on top before serving for a hearty countryside feel.
• Spicy Southwest Chicken: Incorporate diced green chiles, jalapeños, and replace black pepper with chili powder. Serve over crispy corn tortillas and garnish with fresh cilantro for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap mushrooms for artichoke hearts and add fresh herbs like oregano and thyme. Include crumbled feta cheese and sundried tomatoes to create a Mediterranean-inspired version of the classic dish.
• Creamy Vegetable Medley: Increase vegetable variety by adding diced bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots. Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock and substitute shredded chicken with plant-based protein for a nutritious vegetarian alternative.

Chicken à la King That Still Feels Right Today

Pioneer Woman’s Chicken à la King emerges as culinary comfort wrapped in nostalgia, promising warmth with each delectable spoonful.

Classic ingredients dance together, creating harmony on plates across American kitchens.

Southern charm meets gourmet technique through this simple yet sophisticated recipe.

Homemade goodness radiates from each carefully crafted bite, connecting generations through shared meal memories.

Family dinners gain newfound excitement with this hearty classic that whispers stories of traditional cooking.

Passionate cooks can savor this exceptional dish, feeling connected to culinary heritage – so grab those ingredients, share this recipe with friends, spread deliciousness through your network, and let your kitchen become a celebration of flavor and love.

Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King brings classic comfort to your dinner table with creamy, nostalgic flavors. Hearty chicken, tender vegetables, and rich sauce create a delightful meal you’ll savor with each comforting bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) white mushrooms sliced
• 1 small yellow onion diced
• 1 cup petite frozen peas
• ½ cup (75 grams) pimentos drained and chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon Kosher salt or to taste

Liquid and Binding Ingredients:

• ½ cup (113 grams) butter unsalted
• ½ cup (60 grams) flour
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) chicken stock
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) half and half

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Instructions

1. Warm a spacious 12-inch (30.5 centimeters) skillet and gently melt unsalted butter over medium-high heat until it becomes frothy and golden.
2. Introduce sliced mushrooms and diced onions into the butter, allowing them to dance and soften for approximately 5 minutes, developing a rich, caramelized fragrance.
3. Enhance the vegetable medley with a balanced sprinkle of garlic powder, freshly ground black pepper, and Kosher salt, ensuring an even distribution of seasonings.
4. Dust flour evenly across the seasoned vegetables, creating a smooth, velvety roux by stirring meticulously and cooking for two minutes without letting the mixture darken.
5. Slowly cascade the half-and-half and chicken stock into the skillet, whisking continuously to prevent any potential lumps and fully integrate the flour.
6. Reduce heat to medium and allow the sauce to simmer gently, stirring periodically until it reaches a luxurious, thick consistency, approximately 5 minutes.
7. Incorporate chopped pimentos, tender frozen peas, and shredded chicken into the creamy sauce, gently folding ingredients to ensure complete integration.
8. Maintain heat for an additional 3 minutes, guaranteeing all components are thoroughly warmed and flavors have melded harmoniously.
9. Present the Chicken à la King atop a bed of steaming pasta, fluffy rice, or freshly split, buttered biscuits for a comforting meal.

Notes

• Elevate your comfort food game with this nostalgic chicken dish that transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.
• Rescue leftover chicken and breathe new life into last night’s roasted or rotisserie meat, creating a zero-waste meal solution.
• Mushrooms introduce an unexpected earthy depth that dances perfectly with the creamy sauce’s richness.
• Half-and-half works magic, delivering a luxurious silkiness that makes every bite feel like an indulgent treat.
• Frozen peas inject bright color and subtle sweetness, balancing the dish’s hearty profile with a fresh pop.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 435 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 570 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg