Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King

Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King is a creamy, flavorful, and simple to prepare comfort dinner that the entire family will adore! Dinner is ready in about 30 minutes.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Beginning with cooked chicken – You can prepare fresh chicken for Chicken Ala King, but it works just as well with leftovers from the Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Ala King, frozen cooked chicken pieces, or rotisserie chicken. This meal can also be made with leftover turkey!
Creamy Sauce – The greatest part of chicken Ala King is the sauce, which can be served over pasta, rice, or fresh biscuits. This sauce’s creamy texture is achieved without cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup, and it is so much nicer when made from scratch. Serve over rice or pasta to create a simple casserole-style dish.
Lots of Veggies – This Pioneer Woman chicken Ala King recipe has both protein and veggies, making it a nutritious and filling lunch. We’re adding frozen mushrooms and peas, but you can also use other frozen vegetables.

Plate of Chicken Ala King with a side of white rice

What Is The Origin Of The Name Chicken Ala King?

You could hear a different story about how Chicken ala King earned its name depending on who you ask. One of the most prominent origin myths is that William King, a chef at the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia in the 1890s, invented the meal.

Ingredients That You’ll Need:

The Pioneer Woman’s chicken Ala King recipe card has a complete list of ingredients and their quantities.

Chicken: 3 cups of cooked chicken are required for the Chicken Ala King recipe. Consider preparing this recipe with leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. Cubes or shreds of chicken are acceptable.
Butter and Flour: To prepare a creamy sauce, a roux will be created (fat plus flour plus liquid). Not to worry, it’s simple!
Milk and Chicken Stock: To complete the creamy chicken Ala King gravy, both chicken stock, and milk will be added. This results in an amazing chicken gravy that is rich and creamy.
Mushrooms and Onions: These vegetables impart a substantial amount of home-style flavor when cooked into the sauce.
Seasonings: A small amount of salt, pepper, and garlic powder is all that’s required to make this dish delicious.
Frozen Peas and Jarred Pimentos: These last ingredients are important if you want your dish to be more healthy and colorful.

Where Does Chicken Ala King Originate?

Various people have distinct ideas on where Chicken ala King comes from since there are several different origin myths. Some say the dish was invented in New York or Philadelphia in the United States. Others suggest it began in London, England, across the pond.

Skillet with creamy sauce and cooked chicken for Chicken Ala King

What Other Types Of Chicken To Use For Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King?

Don’t know what kind of chicken to use for your Pioneer Woman chicken Ala King? You may use anything you have on hand, but try one of these simple options:

Buy a Rotisserie Chicken – Approximately four cups of flesh will result from shredding the entire chicken, which is ideal for this chicken Ala King recipe from the Pioneer Woman.
Prepare an entire chicken – If you have the time, you should also roast your own chicken.
Use Leftovers – Leftover grilled or baked chicken or leftover Roast Turkey work wonderfully.
Quickly Cook Chicken – Use your air fryer to swiftly cook chicken tenders for this chicken Ala King recipe from the Pioneer Woman.
Shredded Chicken – Plan ahead by making shredded chicken in a slow cooker, or boil and shred chicken.

Spoon serving Chicken Ala King with vegetables and chicken

How To Make Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King?

1. Melt the butter in a big, high-sided skillet over medium heat.

2. Add the onion and mushrooms, season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, if using, and cook until tender (5 minutes).

Sautéed mushrooms and onions for the base of Chicken Ala King

3. Sprinkle the flour, and heat it for one minute while stirring with a spoon. Turn the heat down to low.

Adding flour to the mushroom and onion mixture for Chicken Ala King

4. Slowly pour in the chicken stock while whisking until the mixture is smooth. Then add the milk and continue whisking until you have a nice, creamy sauce. Allow the mixture to thicken for a few minutes.

Pouring chicken broth into the mushroom and onion mixture for Chicken Ala King

Pouring milk into the mixture to make creamy sauce for Chicken Ala King

5. Add the chicken, the peas, and the pimentos. Add a splash of water and whisk again if the sauce is too thick.

Mix of peas, red bell pepper, and cooked chicken added to creamy sauce for Chicken Ala King

Creamy sauce for Chicken Ala King with cooked vegetables

6. Serve over spaghetti, rice, or biscuits after removing from heat. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Chicken Ala King served with rice on a plate, top view

What To Serve With Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King?

This chicken Ala King from The Pioneer Woman is best served over starch, such as pasta, rice, or bread. Potatoes work too! Prepare one of these basic condiments:

Texas Roadhouse Rolls
Smashed Red Potatoes
Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Buttered Noodles
Air Fryer Tater Tots
Lebanese Rice with Vermicelli
Focaccia Bread
Bread Maker White Bread
Ciabatta Bread
Homemade Flat Bread

How Do I Store Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King Leftovers?

Place any of your Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King leftover in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

How To Reheat Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King On The Stove?

To reheat your Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King, thaw it first and then heat it in a pan. Allow it to boil for 4-5 minutes. Serve and have fun!

Recipe Tips & Variations

Use a Deep Skillet: There is nothing worse than beginning a recipe, only to discover that the ingredients won’t fit in the pan! I suggest using your largest, deepest skillet to prepare your Pioneer Woman chicken Ala King recipe. If you do not already have a suitable pan, I recommend this Cuisinart sauté pan for cooking similar recipes.
Garlic Powder is Optional: It is acceptable if you do not have any or do not wish to contribute any. Even without garlic, the flavor is still fairly delicious.
Make it without Mushrooms: It’s okay if you exclude the mushrooms from this Pioneer Woman chicken Ala King recipe if you’re not a fan of mushrooms. You may add additional vegetables, while it is not required.
Add More Veggies: Simply rewarming the frozen peas is all that is required to prepare them for this recipe. You may do the same with other frozen vegetables, such as maize, carrots, and french-cut green beans. Try using frozen mixed vegetables to obtain a small amount of each type.
Make it with Tuna: Although I haven’t tried it myself, many people create Chicken Ala King with tuna fish, which is a very inexpensive method to prepare a hearty meal. It will have a flavor similar to Tuna Casserole. Add approximately 4 cups of drained tuna to the sauce. Using tuna of higher quality will be optimal.

FAQ Section

Can I Freeze Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King?

Yes, this chicken Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King freezes fairly well. Freeze leftovers for up to one month in a freezer-safe container. Allow defrosting overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What Are Pimentos?

Pimentos are most commonly seen as the red portion in the middle of green olives, although they are also available in jars or cans by themselves. Pimento is the Spanish word for pepper, and it refers specifically to highly sweet bell pepper. If you do not have them, you can use diced fresh red bell peppers. Combine them with the onions to soften them. If you wish to add spice to the dish, you can also use a spicier canned pepper.

Can I Swap Tuna For The Chicken?

Many individuals have swapped tuna for the chicken in chicken ala king throughout the years. This results in a delicious tuna meal that seafood aficionados will enjoy. To create a tuna variation of this Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King, just substitute 4 cups tuna for the chicken in the recipe. But make sure you obtain high-quality tuna!

Can I Make Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King Ahead?

I don’t advise making this Pioneer Woman Chicken Ala King dish ahead of time since it utilizes cooked chicken that is effectively reheated in the ala king sauce, and reheating meals more than once is not recommended.