Chicken a la King made with poached chicken, mushrooms, sweet peppers, and heavy cream is comfort food at its best! Rich, creamy, and made from scratch, it's delicious served over rice, pasta, or bread.
Chicken is my favorite protein ingredient. I love that it is so convenient to use and versatile enough to be enjoyed in many ways.
However, the boneless and skinless breast part which has very little fat can prove tricky to prepare. There's but a fine line between moist, succulent pieces and dry, stringy meat.
Techniques for super tender chicken
- For my stir-fries, I like to velvet to keep the meat moist and juicy
- For sandwiches and casserole dishes such as this chicken a la king, I like taking the extra step of poaching.
Poaching is a form of cooking where eggs, fish, fruit, and poultry are covered and gently simmered in liquid until cooked through. This low-heat, moist-cooking method prevents food from overcooking too quickly and helps to retain moisture.
The chicken comes out juicy, flavorful, and the perfect slate to the rich and creamy white sauce!
Cooking tips
- Saute the vegetables in butter for amazing flavor.
- For best results, I highly suggest poaching the chicken breast but feel free to use any cooked chicken such as a rotisserie, baked or grilled, you have on hand. Just debone and cut into 1-inch pieces.
- For extra nutrition, color, and texture, add frozen green peas, peas and carrots, or mixed vegetables.
- I use heavy cream to make the bechamel sauce but evaporated milk, half and half, or whole milk are also good options.
- For a smooth consistency, cook the sauce at a low and gentle heat so the cream doesn't curdle or separate.
- Want variety? Swap the chicken meat with quality canned tuna packed in water (go for albacore!).
- Add a few dashes of cayenne or red pepper flakes if you want to spice it up.
- Cook the sauce a little thinner than you like as it will thicken as it stands.
How to serve and store
- Serve over steamed rice, noodles, or toasted bread for lunch or dinner. This creamy chicken dish is delicious as an appetizer ladled in tortilla, phyllo, or pie cups.
- Allow leftovers to cool completely and store in airtight containers or resealable bags. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat to an internal temperature of 165 F. Add broth, water, or heavy cream to loosen the consistency and adjust seasonings as needed.
More chicken recipes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon peppercorns
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and pounded
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ cup dry sherry wine
- cool water
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 onion, peeled and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- ½ red bell pepper, stemmed, cored and chopped
- ½ green bell pepper, red pepper, stemmed, cored and chopped
- 4 ounces fresh button mushrooms, sliced thinly (or canned sliced mushrooms, drained)
- 2 cups broth (reserved from poaching the chicken)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, arrange chicken in a single layer. Add salt, peppercorns, pounded garlic, and bay leaves.
- Add wine and enough water to cover chicken to about 1-inch high or about 6 cups. Over medium-high heat, bring to a boil, skimming scum that floats on top.
- When the liquid begins to boil, reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the center of chicken reads 165 F.
- Immediately remove chicken from the pot and let cool to touch. Cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Strain broth and reserve about 2 cups. Discard aromatics.
- In a pan over medium heat, heat butter until melted. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened.
- Add bell peppers and mushrooms and cook, stirring regularly, until softened.
- Add flour and cook, stirring regularly, for about 1 to 2 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Add reserved broth and heavy cream, whisking regularly to prevent lumps.
- Add chicken. Lower heat and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce is slightly thickened.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot over rice, noodles, or toasted bread.
Notes
- For a smooth consistency, cook the sauce at a low and gentle heat so the cream doesn't curdle or separate.
- Add a few dashes of cayenne or red pepper flakes if you want to spice it up.
- Cook the sauce a little thinner than you like as it will thicken as it stands.
Video
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Yana says
Pwede po bang kremdensada gamitin instead of heavy cream?
Lalaine Manalo says
Matamis po yata ang kremdensada kaya hindi po pwede dito sa recipe. Pwede pong gamitin ang Nestle cream.
Maripat says
Hello, the sherry wine used, is it a cooking sherry or (drinkable) dry sherry wine?
I just googled "dry sherry wine for cooking" and came with results with both.
Thank you.
Ayin says
Hi! 😊 Can i use Gin as a replacement for Sherry wine? Any suggestions for substitute? Hope you can help me with this.. Big thanks in advance! 😊💖
Lalaine Manalo says
Hello, Ayin,
No, gin will have a strong taste. You can just omit the sherry and use chicken broth 🙂
Lalaine Manalo says
You can use white wine or just omit 🙂
Louie Ocampo says
Can I add pineapple chucks
Lalaine says
I guess you can if you want to but please note that pineapple will add sweetness to the dish.
Bee says
Hello😊 What heavy cream brand are you using? Is that the same as table cream?
Lalaine says
Hello Bee,
Yes, you can substitute table cream or what we call Nestle's all purpose cream in the Philippines 🙂
mailhen says
pwede bang wala wine?
Lalaine says
Yes, you can omit it. 🙂