Zesty Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King Recipe Your Family Will Love
Chicken à la king swoops into your kitchen like a culinary superhero, ready to rescue bland meals from mediocrity.
This creamy, decadent dish whispers tales of comfort and nostalgia with every sumptuous bite.
Tender chicken nestles in a luxurious sauce that dances between sophistication and homestyle charm.
Generations have savored this classic recipe, passing down its delectable secrets from one loving cook to another.
Silky smooth and packed with flavor, the dish transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary feast.
Simple yet elegant, it promises to turn any dinner into a memorable celebration.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Calories: 490 kcal
Servings: 5
Ingredient Highlights for Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King
For Skillet Preparation:For Vegetable Base:For Seasoning Blend:For Thickening Agent:For Creamy Liquids:For Protein and Additional Vegetables:For Serving Accompaniments:Cooking Tools for Chicken Ala King
Preparing Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King
Crank up a large pan on medium-high heat. Swirl butter around until it dances and turns golden.
Toss mushrooms and onions into the hot pan. Let them mingle and soften for a few minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Sprinkle garlic powder, black pepper, and salt over the sautéed vegetables. Mix everything to spread the seasoning love.
Dust flour over the veggies and whisk into a silky smooth paste. Cook briefly without letting it brown.
Pour half-and-half and chicken stock into the pan. Stir constantly to create a velvety sauce without any pesky lumps.
Dial down the heat and let the mixture bubble gently. Watch it thicken into a luxurious coating that hugs every ingredient.
Fold in pimentos, peas, and shredded chicken. Stir until everything is cozy and warm.
Ladle the creamy chicken goodness over pasta, rice, or split biscuits. Dig in and enjoy your culinary masterpiece.
Creamy Tips and Chicken Variations
Mix up the classic Chicken à la King with these delightful twists and tricks!
Replace chicken with turkey, shrimp, or tofu for a fresh flavor adventure that keeps your taste buds excited.
Toss in extra vegetables like diced bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots to increase nutrition and add vibrant colors to your dish.
Sprinkle sharp cheddar or creamy parmesan on top for an extra layer of rich, melty goodness that elevates the entire meal.
Prepare the sauce and chicken mixture ahead of time, storing separately in the refrigerator for up to three days, which makes weeknight dinners a breeze.
Plating Suggestions for Chicken Ala King
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Comforting Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 5 1x
Description
Hearty Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King elevates classic comfort cuisine with creamy sauce and tender chicken pieces. Comfort meets nostalgia in this simple, satisfying midwestern dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken
- 8 oz (226 g) white mushrooms, sliced
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (60 g) flour
- 2 cups (473 ml) chicken stock
- 1 cup (237 ml) half and half
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup petite frozen peas
- ½ cup (75 g) pimentos, drained and chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp kosher salt (or to taste)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat a large skillet over medium-high, melt butter, and sauté mushrooms and onions until they become tender and golden, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Season and Thicken: Sprinkle garlic powder, black pepper, and salt over the vegetables, then dust with flour to create a smooth roux, stirring continuously for two minutes without browning.
- Build the Sauce: Gradually pour half-and-half and chicken stock into the skillet, whisking constantly to prevent lumps and create a silky, uniform sauce. Reduce heat and simmer until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Incorporate Proteins: Gently fold in pimentos, frozen peas, and shredded chicken, ensuring even distribution and heating throughout the creamy mixture.
- Finalize and Serve: Allow the Chicken à la King to warm thoroughly for an additional 3 minutes, then ladle over steaming pasta, fluffy rice, or freshly split, buttered biscuits for a comforting culinary experience.
Notes
- Prevent Roux Burning: Stir flour mixture constantly and keep heat moderate to avoid scorching, which can create bitter flavors and ruin sauce texture.
- Smooth Sauce Secret: Whisk half-and-half and stock gradually and consistently to eliminate potential lumpy sauce and ensure silky, uniform consistency.
- Strategic Vegetable Sautéing: Allow mushrooms and onions to caramelize properly by not overcrowding skillet, enabling deeper flavor development and perfect golden-brown edges.
- Temperature Control Matters: Maintain medium heat during sauce simmering to prevent separation and achieve ideal creamy thickness without burning delicate ingredients.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 760 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Michael Thompson
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.