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Classic Creamy Chicken à la King

Classic Creamy Chicken à la King - featured image

A quick and easy comfort food recipe featuring tender chicken, mushrooms, and bell peppers in a creamy sauce with a touch of sherry and fresh thyme. Perfect for cozy dinners and nostalgic meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed (about 1 lb / 450 g)
  • 8 oz (225 g) cremini or white button mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) chicken broth, preferably low-sodium
  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk, whole or 2%
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons dry sherry (optional)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped (or 1/4 teaspoon dried)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooked white rice or toasted bread for serving

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry and cut into bite-sized cubes (about 1-inch pieces). Season lightly with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the sliced mushrooms and diced red bell pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes until mushrooms release moisture and begin to brown, and peppers soften. Season with a pinch of salt.
  4. Push the vegetables to one side of the pan, add remaining butter. Add the chicken cubes and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and lightly browned. Cook in batches if pan is crowded.
  5. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the chicken and vegetables. Stir well to coat and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to remove raw flour taste and thicken the sauce.
  6. Gradually pour in the chicken broth while stirring to prevent lumps. Add the milk and heavy cream. Stir until the sauce thickens and is creamy but pourable, about 3-5 minutes.
  7. Stir in the Dijon mustard, fresh thyme, and sherry if using. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Let simmer gently for 3 minutes to marry flavors. Add more broth or milk if sauce is too thick.
  8. Serve the creamy chicken mixture over warm cooked rice or toasted bread. Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend or cornstarch (use half the amount). For dairy-free, use coconut milk and plant-based butter. If sauce is lumpy, whisk vigorously or blend briefly with immersion blender. Avoid overcrowding pan when cooking chicken to prevent steaming. Use fresh ingredients and measure liquids carefully. Adding a teaspoon of butter at the end adds a silky finish.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken à la King, creamy chicken recipe, comfort food, easy chicken dinner, classic chicken recipe, creamy sauce chicken