Emily Carter
Chicken à la king is a creamy, comforting classic dish consisting of diced chicken in a cream sauce, often with sherry, mushrooms, and vegetables. It is usually served over rice, pasta, toast, or biscuits. The dish was popular in the 1950s and 1960s, and there are several competing accounts about its origin. Some claim it was created in England, while others say it originated in Philadelphia, New York, or London. It is a versatile dish that can be made with leftover chicken or substituted with tuna, turkey, or tofu.
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What You'll Learn
Chicken à la King recipe
Chicken à la King is a creamy, comforting dish that's quick and easy to make. It's a great way to use up leftover chicken, and it can be served over rice, pasta, toast, or biscuits. Here's a recipe for Chicken à la King that serves 4-6 people.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of cooked, cubed boneless, skinless chicken
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms (white, cremini, or a combination)
- 1 medium yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 (4 oz) jar drained pimentos
- 1/4 cup sherry (optional)
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup half-and-half or whole milk
- 2 tablespoons dry sherry (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can low-sodium chicken broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Add the mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
- Add the onion and cook until softened.
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to coat. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add the milk, broth, and sherry (if using). Stir until smooth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Return the chicken to the pan, along with any accumulated juices.
- Add the peas and pimentos, and stir to combine. Cook until heated through, about 2 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve over rice, pasta, toast, or biscuits.
Tips and Variations:
- Chicken à la King can be made ahead of time and reheated on the stove or in the microwave. It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute the sherry with apple cider vinegar.
- You can also try adding celery, green bell peppers, or a dash of Worcestershire sauce for extra flavour.
- For a heartier dish, serve it with biscuits, or try it with toast triangles for a classic presentation.
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Chicken à la King history
Chicken à la King, or "chicken in the style of King", is a creamy dish of diced chicken in a sauce, often with sherry, mushrooms, and vegetables. It is typically served over rice, pasta, toast, biscuits, or noodles. The dish is sometimes made with tuna or turkey instead of chicken.
The origin of the name Chicken à la King is a subject of debate. Several competing accounts about its origin have circulated. One claim is that it was created by Delmonico's chef Charles Ranhofer as "Chicken à la Keene" in the 1880s, named after Foxhall Parker Keene. Another version claims it was created in 1881 at Claridge's Hotel in London and named for James R. Keene, father of Foxhall. A third story is that the dish was devised in 1903 for Wolfram Mercy Keene, son of Foxhall and grandson of James. A fourth, often disputed tale is that Chicken à la King was prepared for Dewberry William Keene, son of Wolfram, grandson of Foxhall, and great-grandson of James.
Another account claims chef George Greenwald of the Brighton Beach Hotel in Brighton Beach created it in 1898, naming it after patron E. Clarke King II and his wife. New York Times food editor and cookbook author Craig Claiborne backs this claim in his book, *The New York Times Food Encyclopedia*. In it, photographer James N. Keen showed him a brochure written by Clark King’s son, claiming the hotel as the dish's origin.
Yet another account is that Chicken à la King was created in the 1890s by hotel cook William "Bill" King of the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia. Several obituaries in early March 1915 credited King after he died on March 4, 1915. A New York Tribune editorial at the time of King's death stated:
> "The name of William King is not listed among the great ones of the earth. No monuments will ever be erected to his memory, for he was only a cook. Yet what a cook! In him blazed the fire of genius which, at the white heat of inspiration, drove him one day, in the old Bellevue, in Philadelphia, to combine bits of chicken, mushrooms, truffles, red and green peppers and cream."
Chicken à la King was extremely popular in the 1950s and 1960s. It appeared on roughly 300 menus from 1910 to 1960, but by the 1980s, food writers seemed ready to pen its obituary. However, the dish is still beloved by many, with some recalling fond childhood memories of the dish.
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Chicken à la King calories
Chicken à la King is a creamy, comforting dish that is quick and easy to make. It is typically made with diced chicken, cream sauce, mushrooms, and vegetables. It is often served over rice, pasta, toast, or biscuits. The dish is said to have originated in the 1800s and has been a popular recipe for many decades.
When it comes to calories, a serving of Chicken à la King contains approximately 471 to 510 calories. The macronutrient breakdown is roughly 25% to 27% carbohydrates, 48% fat, and 25% to 31% protein. It is a good source of protein, providing around 57% of the daily recommended value. Additionally, it offers 12% of the daily value of potassium and 27% of vitamin A.
The calorie count can vary depending on the specific ingredients used and the serving size. For example, using whole milk or heavy cream can increase the calorie content compared to lower-fat alternatives. Similarly, the type of chicken, the amount of butter or oil used, and the addition of other ingredients can all impact the overall calorie count.
To reduce the calorie content of Chicken à la King, one could consider using low-fat milk, light cream, or substituting some of the cream with chicken broth to create a lighter sauce. Additionally, opting for leaner cuts of chicken and controlling portion sizes can also help lower the calorie intake.
It's worth noting that Chicken à la King is a versatile dish that can be adapted to personal preferences and dietary needs. While it is traditionally made with chicken, some variations use tuna or turkey, offering slightly different nutritional profiles. Overall, Chicken à la King is a indulgent and comforting dish that can be part of a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation.
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Chicken à la King alternatives
Chicken à la King is a creamy, comforting dish that is quick and easy to make. It traditionally consists of diced chicken in a cream sauce, often with sherry, mushrooms, and vegetables, and is served over rice, pasta, toast, biscuits, or bread. However, there are several alternative options for those who want to try something different.
One popular alternative is to swap the chicken with tuna, creating Tuna à la King. This variation maintains the creamy sauce and vegetable elements of the original dish while offering a delicious twist for seafood lovers. It is recommended to use high-quality tuna to achieve the best flavour.
For those who prefer a vegetarian option, silken tofu can be used in place of chicken. This adaptation allows vegetarians to enjoy a similar cream-based dish with the same comforting qualities as the original Chicken à la King.
Additionally, Chicken à la King can be made with leftover cooked turkey, providing a way to use up holiday meal leftovers. This alternative still incorporates the creamy sauce and vegetables, making it a colourful and tasty dish to serve during the holidays or anytime.
Another option is to pour the Chicken à la King into a pastry puff or vol-au-vent, creating a savoury pastry treat. This variation provides a different texture and presentation while retaining the creamy sauce and chicken elements of the original dish.
Finally, although less common, canned salmon can be used as a substitute for chicken. This alternative protein source can be incorporated into the creamy sauce and served with the suggested rice, pasta, or bread accompaniments.
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Chicken à la King reheating
Chicken à la King is a creamy, comforting dish that can be easily reheated. It is a versatile meal that can be served with rice, pasta, toast, biscuits, or puff pastry.
If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you're ready to enjoy your Chicken à la King again, simply follow these reheating instructions:
Reheating on the Stovetop:
- Take your desired portion out of the airtight container and place it in a pan.
- Add a splash of water to the pan. This helps prevent the chicken and sauce from drying out and promotes even heating.
- Heat the chicken à la king over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir or whisk occasionally to ensure even heating and prevent sticking.
- Once heated through, your chicken à la king is ready to be served and enjoyed!
Reheating in the Microwave:
If you prefer using a microwave, here's a simple method:
- Place your desired portion of chicken à la king in a microwave-safe container.
- Cover the container with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
- Heat the chicken à la king in the microwave on high power for 30-second intervals.
- Stir the dish in between intervals to ensure even heating.
- Repeat this process until your chicken à la king is thoroughly warmed.
Now you can enjoy this classic, comforting dish again!
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