Chicken à la King Toast

Featured in: Simple Home Meals

This comforting dish features tender diced chicken combined with sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and peas in a rich, creamy sauce thickened with a buttery roux. Served warm over crisp buttered slices of hearty toast, it offers a hearty blend of textures and flavors that makes for a satisfying meal. Simple to prepare and packed with familiar ingredients, it’s perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a casual brunch. Garnish with fresh parsley for a bright finish.

Updated on Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:37:00 GMT
Creamy chicken à la king, a comforting American classic, served elegantly over golden buttered toast. Save to Pinterest
Creamy chicken à la king, a comforting American classic, served elegantly over golden buttered toast. | lovelyserena.com

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.

The first time I made chicken à la king, my family couldn't believe it was homemade and so simple. It's now a go-to dish whenever we have extra chicken, especially after a busy day when we need something satisfying yet easy.

Ingredients

  • Chicken: 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced (about 300 g)
  • Vegetables: 1 cup mushrooms, sliced, 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced, 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed, 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • Sauce: 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 tbsp all-purpose flour, 2 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp dried thyme
  • Toast: 4 slices hearty white or whole wheat bread, 2 tbsp butter (for toasting)
  • Garnish (optional): 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

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.
Finish sauce:
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.
Toast bread:
Meanwhile, toast the bread slices and spread each with a little butter.
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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| lovelyserena.com

Sharing chicken à la king around the dinner table brings back warm memories of family weekends. The kids love helping spread butter on the toast while the adults enjoy the nostalgic flavors.

Serving Suggestions

Try serving chicken à la king over puff pastry shells, rice, or biscuits for a different twist. Pair with a crisp salad or fresh steamed vegetables for a well-rounded meal.

Required Tools

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

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 420 calories, 20 g total fat, 32 g carbohydrates, 28 g protein.

Hearty chicken à la king, with visible diced chicken and veggies, ready to spoon over toasted bread. Save to Pinterest
Hearty chicken à la king, with visible diced chicken and veggies, ready to spoon over toasted bread. | lovelyserena.com

This dish is comfort food at its finest and perfect for sharing. Enjoy every creamy bite and make it your own with different breads or vegetables.

Ask About This Recipe

What type of chicken works best for this dish?

Cooked chicken breast works well, with rotisserie chicken offering a convenient shortcut without sacrificing flavor.

How is the sauce thickened?

The sauce is thickened using a roux made from butter and flour, combined with milk and chicken broth for creaminess.

Can other vegetables be added?

Yes, vegetables like peas, mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions complement the dish well, but you can experiment with others based on preference.

What type of bread is recommended for serving?

Hearty white or whole wheat bread toasted with butter provides a crisp, flavorful base for the creamy topping.

Are there any suggested garnishes?

Fresh chopped parsley adds a bright and fresh finishing touch to the dish.

How can the dish be made richer?

Replacing some of the milk with extra heavy cream will lend additional richness to the sauce.

Chicken à la King Toast

Creamy chicken with mushrooms, peppers, and peas served warm over crisp buttered toast.

Prep Duration
15 minutes
Cook Duration
25 minutes
Overall Time
40 minutes
Created by Serena Moore


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 4 Portions

Dietary Details None specified

What You Need

Chicken

01 2 cups cooked diced chicken breast

Vegetables

01 1 cup sliced mushrooms
02 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
03 1/2 cup thawed frozen peas
04 1 small finely chopped onion

Sauce

01 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
03 2 cups whole milk
04 1/2 cup chicken broth
05 1/4 cup heavy cream
06 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
08 1/4 teaspoon paprika
09 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Toast

01 4 slices hearty white or whole wheat bread
02 2 tablespoons butter for toasting

Garnish

01 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

How To Make It

Step 01

Sauté vegetables: Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion, sliced mushrooms, and diced bell pepper. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.

Step 02

Prepare roux: Stir in flour and cook constantly for 1 minute to create a roux.

Step 03

Incorporate liquids: Gradually whisk in whole milk and chicken broth, stirring continuously until mixture thickens and is smooth, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 04

Add remaining ingredients and simmer: Stir in diced chicken, peas, heavy cream, salt, black pepper, paprika, and thyme. Simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through and slightly thickened.

Step 05

Toast bread: Toast bread slices and spread each with butter while warm.

Step 06

Assemble and serve: Arrange a buttered toast slice on each plate, spoon the chicken mixture generously on top, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet
  • Whisk
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Toaster or oven
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy Details

Review ingredients for allergens and speak to your healthcare provider if you have concerns.
  • Contains wheat from bread and flour
  • Contains dairy from butter, milk, and cream
  • Contains poultry
  • Possible egg presence depending on bread ingredients

Nutrition per Portion

Details are for reference and aren't a substitute for expert medical guidance.
  • Energy: 420
  • Lipids: 20 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Proteins: 28 g