Chicken à la King

How to Make Chicken à la King

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1. Melt the butter in a large, deep frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion, mushrooms and red pepper and cook for 8 minutes, stirring, until softened and the mushroom liquid has evaporated.

   Mark done Start 8 min timer

2. Sprinkle over the flour and stir for 1 minute so that it cooks without browning.

   Mark done Start 1 min timer

3. Gradually whisk in the stock, then the milk, keeping the mixture smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens enough to coat a spoon.

   Mark done Start 5 min timer

4. Stir in the cream and sherry, then add the chicken and peas.

   Mark done

5. Warm the chicken through over low heat for 4 minutes, without letting the sauce boil hard.

   Mark done Start 4 min timer

6. Season with the salt, pepper and nutmeg, then stir in the parsley.

   Mark done

7. Spoon over the toast and serve at once.

   Mark done

Tips for Making Chicken à la King

• Add the liquid slowly at first. Whisking in a small amount at a time makes a smooth sauce, whereas a big splash of cold liquid makes lumps.
• Use cooked chicken thigh as well as breast if you have both. Thigh stays moist when reheated in the sauce, where breast can turn stringy.
• Add the sherry after the sauce has thickened so it keeps its flavour. Cooked hard for a long time, it turns dull.

Common Substitutions & Variations

• Double cream won't whip if you swap it, but for the cooking itself, full-fat crème fraîche or a lower-fat single cream works in its place.
• Vegetable stock in place of the chicken stock makes this meat-free without changing the method, if that is what you need.

What to Serve with Chicken à la King

• Buttered toast points
• Steamed white rice
• A green salad

Storing & Reheating Chicken à la King

Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. It thickens as it cools, so loosen it with a splash of milk or stock when reheating gently. Cream sauces can separate on freezing, so it is best eaten fresh.

Chicken à la King FAQ: Common Questions

Chicken à la King Nutrition

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.