Easy Chicken A La King
Chicken A La King is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender chicken, mushrooms, peas, and pearl onions in a savory sauce topped with melted Swiss cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or special occasion, it pairs well with toast, biscuits, or noodles for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine ⓘ
- 10 ounce package frozen peas and pearl onions, partially thawed ⓘ
- 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup ⓘ
- 3/4 cup milk ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups diced cooked chicken ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons chopped pimiento ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 2/3 cup shredded Swiss cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, sauté mushrooms in butter or margarine for 3 minutes or until limp.
- Stir in peas and pearl onions, breaking pieces apart.
- Cover and steam for 4 minutes or until peas are tender.
- Stir in condensed cream of chicken soup and milk until blended.
- Add diced cooked chicken, chopped pimiento, and pepper, stirring to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from heat and stir in shredded Swiss cheese until melted and blended.
- Serve over buttered toast, patty shells, biscuits, or hot cooked noodles.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding garlic or onions when sautéing the mushrooms. If you don't have Swiss cheese, mozzarella or cheddar can be great substitutes. Use fresh peas and onions if preferred, but adjust cooking times accordingly. To make it lighter, you can substitute reduced-fat cream of chicken soup. This recipe is a great way to use up leftover chicken from meals like Creamy Chicken Breasts.
Serving Suggestions
This dish is versatile and can be served over buttered toast, flaky biscuits, or hot cooked noodles. For a complete meal, consider pairing it with a side salad or steamed vegetables. It also works well as a filling for puff pastry or patty shells. For a comforting twist, serve with a side of Chicken Artichoke Soup for a delicious combination.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Chicken A La King can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk to maintain creaminess. It can also be microwaved in short intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. Avoid reheating more than once for best quality.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Easy Chicken A La King contains roughly 875 calories, with 41g protein, 79g carbohydrates, and 45g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (101% of the Daily Value), calcium (100% of the Daily Value), and protein (81% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 774mg per serving (34% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh mushrooms instead of sliced mushrooms?
Yes, fresh mushrooms can be used instead of sliced ones. Just clean and slice them, then sauté until they are tender. Fresh mushrooms may require a little more cooking time to achieve the same softness as the sliced variety.
What can I serve with Chicken A La King?
Chicken A La King is delicious served over buttered toast, but it also pairs nicely with rice, noodles, or biscuits. Consider adding a light salad or steamed green beans as a fresh side to balance the richness of the dish.
Can I freeze Chicken A La King?
Yes, Chicken A La King can be frozen for up to 2 months. Make sure to let it cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop, adding a bit of milk to restore creaminess.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).