Chicken à la King Toast

A classic, creamy chicken dish with mushrooms, peppers, and peas, served warm over crisp buttered toast. Comforting and full of flavor, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual brunch.

I first tasted chicken à la king at my grandmother's house, where she made it for Sunday lunch, and it was always a favorite. Recreating this dish brings back comforting childhood memories every time.

Ingredients

• Chicken: 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced (about 300 g)
• Mushrooms: 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• Red bell pepper: 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
• Pees: 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
• Onion: 1 small onion, finely chopped
• Unsalted butter: 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• All-purpose flour: 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• Whole milk: 2 cups whole milk
• Chicken broth: 1/2 cup chicken broth
• Heavy cream: 1/4 cup heavy cream
• Salt: 1/2 tsp salt
• Black pepper: 1/4 tsp black pepper
• Paprika: 1/4 tsp paprika
• Dried thyme: 1/4 tsp dried thyme
• Bread: 4 slices hearty white or whole wheat bread
• Butter (for toasting): 2 tbsp butter
• Chopped fresh parsley (optional): 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

Ideal for slow-simmered sauces, braised vegetables, baked dips, and cozy one-pot meals with even heat.

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Sauté Vegetables:

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp butter. Add the onion, mushrooms, and bell pepper. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened.

Make Roux:

Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to form a roux.

Add Liquids:

Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, stirring until smooth and thickened, about 3–4 minutes.

Simmer Chicken:

Add the diced chicken, peas, heavy cream, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Simmer gently for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through and slightly thickened.

Prepare Toast:

Meanwhile, toast the bread slices and spread each with a little butter.

Serve:

To serve, place a slice of toast on each plate and spoon the chicken à la king generously over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

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Chicken à la king became a family favorite after my kids requested it for their birthday dinners. Serving it together often means laughter and stories around our kitchen table.

Required Tools

Large skillet, whisk, knife and cutting board, toaster or oven, measuring cups and spoons

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories: 420, Total Fat: 20 g, Carbohydrates: 32 g, Protein: 28 g

Notes

For extra richness, use more heavy cream. Rotisserie chicken makes prep even faster. Try serving the chicken mixture over puff pastry shells, rice, or biscuits. Pair with a crisp white wine such as Chardonnay.

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Mix doughs, batters, and whipped cream easily for baking cakes, cookies, and everyday treats.

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This comforting dish is a classic for good reason; every bite is creamy and satisfying. Serve it over toast for a true retro touch or change it up for personal taste.

Recipe FAQ

→ What type of chicken works best for this dish?

Cooked chicken breast, diced finely, works well. Rotisserie chicken is a convenient and flavorful option.

→ Can I substitute the vegetables used in this dish?

Yes, mushrooms, bell peppers, peas, and onions provide great flavor, but you can add or swap with similar fresh vegetables to your taste.

→ How should I prepare the toast for serving?

Toast hearty white or whole wheat bread slices until crisp and spread lightly with butter for added richness.

→ Is there a way to make the sauce richer?

Replacing part of the milk with additional heavy cream enhances the sauce’s richness and texture.

→ What herbs and spices bring out the best flavor?

A combination of paprika, thyme, salt, and black pepper provides balanced seasoning to complement the creamy sauce.

→ Can this dish be served with something other than toast?

Yes, it pairs nicely with puff pastry shells, rice, or biscuits for a different texture and presentation.