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The most delicious, easy classic comfort food – in a slow cooker! Hearty diced chicken and vegetables in a cream sauce that is simple and easy – always a family favorite!
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Crock Pot Chicken in Cream Sauce
Chicken à la King is a classic American dish known for its creamy, flavorful sauce and tender pieces of chicken. This dish has a rich history and remains a popular comfort food choice for many.
The origins of Chicken à la King are a subject of debate, but it is generally believed to have been created in the late 19th or early 20th century in New York City. Some accounts attribute its invention to either a chef at the Brighton Beach Hotel or a chef at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Regardless of its precise origin, it quickly gained popularity and became a staple on restaurant menus across the United States.
The key components of Chicken à la King include tender pieces of chicken, often white meat, mushrooms, bell peppers, and a creamy sauce. The sauce is typically made with butter, flour, chicken broth, and heavy cream, creating a luxurious texture and rich flavor. Seasonings like paprika, sherry, and Worcestershire sauce are commonly used to enhance the taste of the dish.
Chicken à la King is a versatile dish that can be served in various ways. It is commonly ladled over toast points, biscuits, or puff pastry shells, making it a comforting and satisfying meal. The combination of creamy sauce and tender chicken, along with the earthy flavor of mushrooms and the sweetness of bell peppers, creates a delightful balance of flavors and textures.
How to make Slow Cooker Chicken a La King
To make this recipe, we need the following ingredients:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken: Chicken is the star of this dish, providing lean protein and a hearty texture.
- Onion: Chopped onion adds a savory and slightly sweet flavor base to the dish.
- Bell Peppers: Both red and green bell peppers contribute color, crunch, and a hint of sweetness to the mix.
- Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms provide an earthy flavor and a meaty texture.
- Garlic: Minced garlic enhances the overall savory profile of the dish.
- Butter: Butter adds richness and a creamy mouthfeel to the sauce.
- Cream of Mushroom or Chicken Soup: This canned soup serves as the base for the creamy sauce, offering a comforting and thick consistency.
- Chicken Broth: Chicken broth adds depth of flavor and balances the richness of the cream.
- Heavy Cream: Heavy cream makes the sauce luxuriously creamy and velvety.
- Dried Thyme and Parsley: These dried herbs bring an aromatic and herbaceous note to the sauce.
- Salt and Pepper: To season the dish to taste.
- Frozen Peas and Carrots: These vegetables add color and a slightly sweet flavor while staying tender in the slow cooker.
- Diced Pimientos: Pimientos contribute a pop of bright red color and a subtle, sweet, and tangy flavor.
- Fresh Chopped Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a vibrant green garnish and a touch of freshness to the finished dish.
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following process:
- Prep. In the crockpot, place the boneless, skinless chicken pieces, chopped onion, diced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, and minced garlic. Slice the butter into small pieces and spread them over the chicken. In a separate bowl, combine the soup, chicken broth, heavy cream, dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Pour the chicken broth and cream mixture over all the other ingredients in the crockpot and mix well.
- Cook. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender, and the flavors have melded together. Stir halfway through if able.
- Add vegetables. About 30 minutes before serving, add the frozen peas, frozen carrots, and diced pimientos to the crockpot. Stir them into the mixture. Continue cooking on low for the remaining 30 minutes. Before serving, taste the Chicken à la King and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper, if needed.
- Enjoy! Serve your Chicken à la King over cooked pasta, biscuits, or rice depending on your preference.
Tips and tricks for slow cooker chicken a la king
Sear the Chicken: Before adding the chicken to the slow cooker, consider searing it in a hot skillet with a little oil. Searing adds flavor and helps seal in juices.
Use Frozen Vegetables: To save time, you can use frozen peas and carrots. Add them during the last hour or so of cooking to prevent them from becoming too soft.
Low and Slow: Cooking on the low setting for a longer time is ideal for slow cooker chicken à la king. This allows the flavors to meld and the chicken to become tender.
Thicken the Sauce: If the sauce is too thin at the end of cooking, you can create a cornstarch slurry (mix cornstarch with cold water) and stir it into the slow cooker for a thicker consistency. Allow it to cook a bit longer to thicken further.
Adjust Seasoning: Taste the dish before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add a bit more salt, pepper, or herbs to suit your taste.
Fresh Herbs: If possible, use fresh thyme and parsley for a more vibrant flavor. Add them during the last hour of cooking for the best results.
Serve Hot: This dish is best enjoyed hot. Keep it on the “warm” setting until you’re ready to serve.
Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top of each serving for a pop of color and extra flavor.
Leftovers: Slow cooker chicken à la king makes excellent leftovers. Store any extras in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Customize: Feel free to customize this dish with your favorite vegetables or protein. You can use turkey, shrimp, or even tofu instead of chicken.
FAQs
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are ideal. Thighs tend to be more tender and flavorful.
It’s best to use thawed or fresh chicken to avoid excess water in your dish.
A cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with a bit of water) added in the last 30 minutes of cooking works well.
Absolutely! Peas, carrots, mushrooms, and bell peppers are great additions.
To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend for thickening and ensure your chicken stock is gluten-free.
Serve over rice, pasta, biscuits, or toast for a classic experience.
Yes, use a dairy-free milk alternative and a butter substitute.
Typically, 3-4 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low in the slow cooker.
In an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Yes, but the creamy sauce might separate a bit when thawed. It’s still safe and tasty to eat, though!
If it’s too thin, thicken it with a cornstarch slurry or let it cook with the lid off for a bit at the end.
What to Serve With Slow cooker chicken a la king
Rice: Serve the creamy chicken and vegetables over steamed white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a classic and comforting combination.
Pasta: Egg noodles or fettuccine are excellent choices for serving with chicken à la king. Cook the pasta separately and spoon the creamy chicken sauce over the top.
Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes complement the richness of the chicken à la king sauce. The combination of chicken, vegetables, and gravy with fluffy mashed potatoes is pure comfort food.
Biscuits or Bread: Flaky biscuits or crusty bread are perfect for sopping up the delicious sauce. You can serve your chicken à la king over biscuits or with slices of warm, toasted bread.
Green Vegetables: Steamed or roasted green vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus add a refreshing contrast to the creamy dish.
Side Salad: A fresh side salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette provides a crisp and refreshing balance to the meal.
Coleslaw: Creamy coleslaw, with its crunchy texture and tangy flavor, pairs nicely with the creamy chicken à la king.
Garlic Bread: Garlic bread or garlic knots make a tasty side, offering a garlicky, buttery contrast to the creamy chicken.
Roasted Vegetables: Roasted root vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes, can be a comforting and earthy addition to the meal.
Fruit Salad: A simple fruit salad with fresh seasonal fruits adds a sweet and refreshing element to your plate.
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Slow cooker chicken a la king recipe
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Slow Cooker Chicken a la King
Ingredients
- 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup onion finely chopped
- ½ cup red bell pepper diced
- ½ cup green bell pepper diced
- ½ cup mushrooms sliced (fresh or canned, as per your preference)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup butter sliced
- 1 10.5-ounce can cream of mushroom or chicken soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup frozen peas
- ½ cup frozen carrots
- ¼ cup diced pimientos from a jar
- Fresh chopped parsley for serving
Instructions
- In the crockpot, place the boneless, skinless chicken pieces, chopped onion, diced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, and minced garlic.
- Slice the butter into small pieces and spread them over the chicken.
- In a separate bowl, combine the soup, chicken broth, heavy cream, dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Pour the chicken broth and cream mixture over all the other ingredients in the crockpot and mix well.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender, and the flavors have melded together. Stir halfway through if able.
- About 30 minutes before serving, add the frozen peas, frozen carrots, and diced pimientos to the crockpot. Stir them into the mixture.
- Continue cooking on low for the remaining 30 minutes.
- Before serving, taste the Chicken à la King and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve your Chicken à la King over cooked pasta, biscuits, or rice depending on your preference. Enjoy!
