Restaurant style Poulet A la King recipe | Creamy chicken
Creamy chicken in a silky sauce with mushrooms and peppers, served over puff pastry or buttery toast — sounds fancy, right? Don’t let the regal name fool you. Poulet a la King is the kind of dish that wears pearls and fuzzy slippers. It's elegant, nostalgic, and ridiculously comforting.
I still remember the first time I had Poulet à la King — it was in my grandmother's kitchen, and she served it over buttery puff pastry shells that made me feel like royalty. As a child, I had no idea what it was called. I just called it “that creamy chicken stuff with the flaky crown.” Years later, when I recreated it during a chilly weekend, the aromas of sautéed mushrooms, creamy sauce, and tender chicken took me right back. It’s one of those dishes that wraps you in warmth — spoon by spoon.
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What Is Poulet à la King?
Poulet à la King, or Chicken à la King, is a luscious dish made with cooked chicken, a velvety cream sauce, and typically includes mushrooms, pimientos or peppers, onions, and peas. It’s served hot over toast, puff pastry, noodles, or rice. It's classic comfort food with a vintage flair — think mid-century dinner parties, but in a good way!
👑 Fun Fact:
The dish has nothing to do with royalty, despite the name! But it does make you feel like you should be eating it in a castle. Preferably in pajamas.
Brief History of Chicken à la King
The origins of Chicken à la King are subject to various claims:
- Brighton Beach Hotel Claim: Chef George Greenwald reportedly created the dish at New York's Brighton Beach Hotel, naming it after the owners, E. Clark King II and his wife.
- Delmonico's Restaurant Claim: Another account attributes the creation to Chef Charles Ranhofer of Delmonico's in the 1880s, naming it "Chicken à la Keene" after Foxhall P. Keene, a notable horse breeder.
- Bellevue Hotel Claim: A further narrative suggests that in the 1890s, hotel cook William "Bill" King of the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia devised the dish.
Regardless of its true origin, Chicken à la King gained widespread popularity in the early 20th century, becoming a staple in American cuisine.
Recipe for Poulet a la king
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1/4 cup pimientos, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: 2 tablespoons dry sherry or white wine
- To serve: Cooked rice, pasta, toast, or pastry
Detailed Steps
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add 1 cup of sliced mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Add 1 finely diced small onion and 1/2 cup of diced red bell pepper; sauté until the onion becomes translucent and the pepper softens, approximately 3 minutes.
- Prepare Roux: Sprinkle 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour evenly over the sautéed vegetables. Stir continuously, cooking the flour for about 2 minutes to eliminate its raw taste.
- Create Sauce: Gradually pour in 1 cup of chicken broth while stirring to prevent lumps. Follow with 1 cup of whole milk, continuing to stir. If using, add 2 tablespoons of dry sherry or white wine at this stage. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer; cook until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency, about 5-7 minutes.
- Incorporate Chicken and Vegetables: Add 2 cups of diced cooked chicken breast, 1/2 cup of frozen peas, and 1/4 cup of chopped pimientos to the sauce. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Simmer and Serve: Allow the mixture to simmer gently for an additional 5 minutes, ensuring the chicken and vegetables are heated through. Serve the Chicken à la King over your choice of cooked rice, pasta, toasted bread, or warm biscuits.
Variations and Substitutes
- Protein Alternatives: Substitute chicken with turkey or tuna for a different flavor profile.
- Vegetarian Option: Use firm tofu or a medley of vegetables like carrots and celery instead of meat.
- Dairy-Free: Replace butter with olive oil and use almond or soy milk in place of whole milk.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend for the roux and serve over gluten-free pasta or rice.
Suggested Pairings
Side Dishes:
- A crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette 🥗
- Garlic butter green beans
- Buttery mashed potatoes
- Roasted asparagus or carrots
- A light white wine like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc 🍷
Serving Ideas:
- Over puff pastry shells for a retro dinner-party twist
- With fluffy rice or creamy mashed potatoes for comfort vibes
- Piled on top of buttery toast or English muffins for a brunch-y take
- Tucked inside a savory crepe for an elegant twist
Classic vs Modern Poulet a la king
| 🍽️ Feature | 🏰 Classic/Vintage Version | 🥄 Modern Version (Ours!) |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Prep | Often poached and diced from whole chicken | Poached, roasted, or rotisserie – even shredded! |
| Peppers | Used pimientos (jarred red pepper strips) | Fresh bell peppers or roasted peppers used |
| Mushrooms | Optional or finely chopped | More prominent and sautéed for flavor |
| Sauce Base | Butter + flour + heavy cream and sometimes egg yolks | Butter + flour + milk/cream + optional wine |
| Wine Addition | Sherry or Madeira was common | Still optional, but sometimes skipped |
| Presentation | Served in pastry shells, often at banquets | Still served over pastry, toast, noodles, or rice |
| Seasoning | Simple – salt, pepper, nutmeg | More layered – herbs, spices, nutmeg, and wine splash |
| Veggies | Mostly mushrooms and pimientos | Includes peas, leeks, onions, more variety |
| Protein Variants | Primarily chicken | Chicken, turkey, seafood, or even tofu today! |
Classic poulet a la king recipe
Frequently asked questions
