The rich and creamy Chicken à la King is a beloved comfort food in many Filipino households. Made with tender chicken breast, colorful bell peppers, mushrooms, and a luscious milk-based sauce, this dish brings a balance of savory goodness and home-cooked warmth. It’s a simple yet satisfying one-pan meal that’s perfect over rice, toast, or pasta, making it a go-to for busy weeknights or casual weekend gatherings.
This version captures the essence of home-style Filipino cooking with an easy-to-follow preparation and minimal ingredients. The textures of the mushrooms, peas, and bell peppers complement the creaminess of the sauce, offering both heartiness and freshness in one dish. Whether you’re feeding your family or impressing guests with a classic recipe, Chicken à la King offers nostalgia, nourishment, and a whole lot of flavor.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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2 tablespoons butter
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1 tablespoon oil
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1 small onion, chopped
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1/2 cup button mushrooms, sliced
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1 small green bell pepper, chopped
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1 small red bell pepper, chopped
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1/2 cup frozen green peas
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1 1/2 cups cooked chicken breast, cubed
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1 1/4 cups evaporated milk
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1/2 cup water
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2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
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Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
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Heat butter and oil in a large pan over medium heat.
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Sauté onions until translucent, then add mushrooms. Cook for 2 minutes.
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Add bell peppers and cook until slightly tender.
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Stir in the green peas and chicken. Cook for another 2–3 minutes.
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In a small bowl, whisk together evaporated milk, water, and flour until smooth.
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Pour the mixture into the pan. Stir continuously to avoid lumps.
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Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until the sauce thickens.
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Serve hot over toast, rice, or pasta.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 290 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
The Comfort and History Behind Chicken à la King
Chicken à la King is a timeless dish celebrated for its creamy texture, rich flavors, and versatility. Often served over rice, toasted bread, or pasta, it has earned a spot in many Filipino households as both a weekday staple and a weekend comfort food. Though believed to have originated from the United States during the late 1800s or early 1900s, Chicken à la King has since transcended borders, becoming a beloved classic in many countries, including the Philippines. The Filipino version retains the dish’s signature creaminess while incorporating locally accessible ingredients and cooking methods.
This dish is known for transforming simple ingredients into an indulgent, flavorful meal. With cooked chicken breast as the primary protein, paired with vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, and green peas, it provides a balance of texture and nutrition. The real magic lies in the creamy sauce, often made using evaporated milk in Filipino kitchens. This adaptation not only provides richness but also reflects the Filipino taste for slightly sweet and savory combinations.
Why Chicken à la King is a Filipino Favorite
In the Filipino culinary scene, Chicken à la King is often regarded as a dish that bridges Western influences and local cooking. It’s frequently served at potlucks, family reunions, and special occasions, earning its reputation as a comfort food with flair. The use of butter, cream, and flour to create a roux-based sauce is reminiscent of European-style cooking, but the inclusion of local ingredients like evaporated milk and familiar vegetables gives it a distinctly Filipino twist.
One reason for the dish’s popularity is its adaptability. Chicken à la King can be customized according to taste and dietary needs. Some versions include additional vegetables like carrots or corn, while others enhance the richness by adding grated cheese or all-purpose cream. Leftover roast chicken can also be repurposed into this dish, making it an economical and waste-reducing option in the home kitchen.
Culinary Appeal and Texture Profile
The dish excels in offering a satisfying mix of textures and tastes. The chicken remains tender and moist, contrasting with the slight crunch of bell peppers and the earthy bite of sautéed mushrooms. Peas add a mild sweetness that complements the rich, creamy sauce. The sauce itself, thickened with a flour-milk mixture, is velvety and smooth—ideal for coating the meat and vegetables evenly.
When poured over a bed of warm rice, crispy toast, or al dente pasta, the sauce seeps into the base, enhancing every bite with creamy goodness. The experience is warm, hearty, and satisfying—qualities that define comfort food across cultures.
Versatility in Presentation and Serving
One of Chicken à la King’s strengths lies in its versatility. In Filipino homes, it’s commonly spooned over white rice, making it a complete meal in itself. However, when served over buttered toast, it takes on a slightly more Western appeal, ideal for brunches or light dinners. Some even choose to serve it over pasta, turning it into a creamy chicken pasta dish that rivals restaurant offerings.
For a more elevated presentation, Chicken à la King can be served inside puff pastry shells or baked into vol-au-vents, giving it a gourmet touch that’s suitable for formal gatherings or holiday meals. Whether served casually or as an elegant centerpiece, the dish remains delicious and comforting.
Nutritional Balance and Family-Friendly Appeal
Chicken à la King is a well-rounded meal nutritionally. It includes protein from the chicken, fiber and vitamins from the vegetables, and energy from the carbohydrate base (rice, bread, or pasta). While the cream-based sauce adds a richer caloric profile, the dish can be made lighter by using low-fat milk or substituting with plant-based alternatives.
Families especially love this dish because it’s kid-friendly and easy to prepare in large quantities. It offers a familiar and mild flavor that appeals to both young and old palates. Moreover, it’s a practical option for busy households, as it can be made ahead and reheated without compromising its texture or flavor.
Tips for Making the Best Chicken à la King
To create a truly exceptional Chicken à la King, a few techniques can enhance the final dish. Sautéing the vegetables before adding the sauce deepens their flavor and softens their texture. Using pre-cooked or leftover chicken cuts down on preparation time while ensuring tender results. For a richer sauce, many home cooks prefer using a mix of evaporated milk and all-purpose cream, while flour acts as the thickening agent to achieve the desired consistency.
Seasoning is key—salt and freshly ground black pepper bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients, and adding a dash of nutmeg or paprika can lend subtle warmth. For an extra depth of umami, a small amount of chicken bouillon or broth can be used in place of plain water.
Cultural Significance and Modern Adaptations
Chicken à la King has remained relevant through generations thanks to its adaptability and comforting flavor profile. It often appears in Filipino family cookbooks, passed down with slight tweaks that reflect regional or personal preferences. It embodies a blend of tradition and innovation, as modern cooks continue to experiment with dairy alternatives, different vegetables, or even turning the dish into a baked casserole.
In urban areas, this dish is commonly included in cafeteria menus, fast-food variants, and even lunchbox meals. It reflects the way Filipino cuisine has embraced foreign influences and made them its own, incorporating these into daily life with both practicality and creativity.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
To complete the Chicken à la King experience, it’s best paired with sides that balance its creamy richness. A crisp green salad or pickled vegetables can provide a refreshing contrast. Garlic bread or crusty rolls offer a delightful texture against the velvety sauce. In Filipino households, serving it with garlic fried rice enhances the dish’s savory appeal and makes it even more satisfying.
Beverage pairings can include a light white wine, iced tea, or even a sweet tropical juice like mango or calamansi to cut through the richness and provide balance. When served as part of a larger meal spread, Chicken à la King works well with other dishes like baked macaroni, lumpiang shanghai, or buttered vegetables.
Conclusion
Chicken à la King is more than just a creamy chicken dish—it is a comforting staple that reflects the Filipino love for hearty, flavorful, and easily shareable meals. Its combination of simple ingredients, rich textures, and flexible serving styles makes it ideal for everyday meals or special gatherings. With roots that trace back to Western cuisine and a taste that feels right at home in Filipino kitchens, it is a perfect example of how global flavors can be reinterpreted to fit local tastes.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out in the kitchen, Chicken à la King offers an accessible and rewarding recipe. It showcases how you can turn humble ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish filled with warmth and flavor. This creamy classic continues to earn its place on the table, promising satisfaction in every spoonful.