Crock Pot Chicken A La King Recipe: Creamy Mushroom and Pimento Comfort

crock pot chicken a la king recipe detailed visual guide

This slow cooker version transforms a classic into the ultimate hands-off comfort dish. The creamy sauce develops deep flavors as it simmers, with tender chicken, mushrooms, and pimentos blending perfectly.

You’ll love how the creamy texture coats every bite while maintaining that rich, satisfying quality. It’s the kind of meal that feels special but comes together with minimal effort in your crock pot.

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Difficulty
Easy
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Diet
Poultry
⏱️
Total Time
30 min
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Calories
Med Cal

Ingredients for Crock Pot Chicken a La King

Pantry staples meet fresh produce for this creamy, comforting slow cooker classic.

Ingredient Amount Notes
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 🍗 1 ½ lb Cut into bite-sized pieces
Cream of Chicken Soup 🥫 2 cans 10.5 oz cans each
Cream of Mushroom Soup 🥫 1 can 10.5 oz can
Mushrooms 🍄 8 oz Fresh, sliced or canned
Pimentos 🌶️ ½ cup Diced, from jar
Green Bell Pepper 🌶️ 1 whole Diced, medium-sized
Onion 🧅 1 whole Yellow or white, diced
Garlic Cloves 🧄 2 cloves Minced for depth
Chicken Broth 🍲 ½ cup Low-sodium preferred
Milk 🥛 ½ cup Whole milk for creaminess
All-Purpose Flour 🌾 ¼ cup For thickening sauce
Unsalted Butter 🧈 2 tbsp For sautéing vegetables
Salt 🧂 ½ tsp Adjust to taste
Black Pepper 🌶️ ¼ tsp Freshly ground preferred
Paprika 🌶️ ½ tsp Sweet or smoked variety

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The chicken is the star here. Boneless, skinless breasts stay tender in the slow cooker—avoid overcooking or they’ll dry out. I grab mine from Whole Foods for consistent quality (no added solutions). For the soups, Campbell’s works fine, but Progresso has a slightly richer texture. Look for low-sodium versions if you’re watching salt. The mushrooms? Baby bellas add a meatier bite than white buttons.

No cream of mushroom? Cream of celery works in a pinch (flavor’s milder). Fresh out of pimentos? Roasted red peppers from a jar at one-third the amount add similar sweetness. Want extra veg? Toss in frozen peas at the end. The broth can be swapped for vegetable if you prefer, but chicken broth deepens the flavor. Skip the flour? Cornstarch slurry at the end thickens it just as well.

This keeps beautifully in the fridge for 3-4 days—the flavors actually improve overnight. Freeze for up to 3 months (portioned into containers for easy reheating). The sauce thickens as it cools, so thin with a splash of milk when reheating.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Set and Forget: I dump the chicken, soups, and mushrooms in before work and come home to a hot meal ready to serve over rice or toast.
  • Velvety Creaminess: The combo of cream of chicken and mushroom soups with those tender chicken pieces creates a rich, comforting sauce I can’t resist.
  • Weeknight Hero: Between us, this is my secret for busy Tuesdays—it’s fancy enough for company but unfussy enough for a school night.
  • Stretches Far: One batch feeds us for two nights, and honestly, the leftovers taste even better the next day with that extra time for flavors to meld.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Crock Pot Chicken A La King

This method builds layers of flavor slowly, delivering that creamy comfort you crave.

Step 1: Sauté Vegetables for Depth

Melt the 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion, diced green bell pepper, sliced 8 oz mushrooms, and diced 0.5 cup pimentos. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables soften and the onions become translucent.

Stir in the minced 2 cloves garlic cloves and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. This step builds the aromatic base that makes the dish so rich. Sprinkle the 0.25 cup all-purpose flour over the vegetables, stirring constantly for 1 minute to cook off the raw flour taste.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients in the Crock Pot

Transfer the vegetable mixture to your slow cooker. Add the 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces), 2 cans cream of chicken soup, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 0.5 cup chicken broth, and 0.5 cup milk. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.

Season with 0.5 tsp salt, 0.25 tsp black pepper, and 0.5 tsp paprika. I always taste at this point and adjust the salt if needed—especially if using regular sodium chicken broth. The paprika adds a subtle warmth that complements the creamy sauces perfectly.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Creamy Perfection

Cover and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours or on high heat for 2-3 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened to a rich, velvety consistency that coats the back of a spoon.

About 30 minutes before serving, I like to stir the mixture to ensure the chicken pieces are evenly distributed. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more milk. If it’s too thin, leave the lid slightly ajar for the last 30 minutes to allow some of the liquid to evaporate.

Step 4: Serve Warm with Your Favorite Sides

Once the cooking time is complete, give the mixture a final stir to break up any large chicken pieces. The chicken should be fall-apart tender, and the vegetables will have absorbed all the creamy goodness of the soups and broth.

Ladle the chicken a la king over toast, biscuits, or rice. The creamy mushroom and pimento sauce soaks into whatever you serve it with, making every bite comforting and satisfying. Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika for a pop of color and a hint of smokiness.

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Pro Tips For Making Crock Pot Chicken A La King

  • Shred the Chicken: Cook the chicken breasts whole, then shred them with two forks after 3-4 hours on low—this keeps them from drying out and gives that classic a la king texture.
  • Sauté the Mushrooms: I learned this the hard way—browning the mushrooms in a pan before adding them to the crock pot deepens their flavor and prevents a watery sauce.
  • Avoid Overfilling: Resist the urge to double the recipe in the same pot; the soups need room to blend properly, or you’ll end up with a thin, separated sauce.
  • Add Pimentos Last: Stir in the pimentos during the last 30 minutes to keep their color bright and texture firm—adding them early turns them mushy and dull.

Storing and Reheating This Recipe

Refrigerator Storage

Let this dish cool for no more than 2 hours before transferring to airtight containers. I use glass containers with locking lids to prevent leaks. Store in the fridge at 40°F or below for up to 3-4 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. ❄️

Freezer Storage

This freezes beautifully for up to 3 months without losing texture. I recommend portioning into quart-sized freezer bags—they lay flat, saving space. Leave 1 inch headspace for expansion and squeeze out excess air to prevent freezer burn.

Stovetop Reheating

My preferred method: transfer to a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of milk if the sauce is too thick. This gentle method prevents the chicken from drying out.

Microwave Reheating

For quick meals, microwave individual portions covered with a damp paper towel. Use 50% power for 2-3 minutes, stir, then continue in 30-second intervals until reaching 165°F. Let it rest for 1 minute before serving. 🔥

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 480kcal
% Daily Value
Total Fat 24g31%
Saturated Fat 7g35%
Cholesterol 105mg35%
Sodium 850mg37%
Total Carbohydrate 32g12%
Dietary Fiber 3g11%
Sugars 4g
Protein 34g68%
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Thighs stay juicier and are more forgiving with longer cook times. Use 1.5 lb boneless, skinless thighs and follow the same 4-5 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high.

2

Why do I need to sauté the vegetables first?

Sautéing builds depth of flavor that slow cooking alone can’t achieve. It also removes raw flour taste and ensures the onions and mushrooms soften properly before simmering.

3

How can I make this gluten-free?

Swap the all-purpose flour for cornstarch (use 2 tbsp instead of 0.25 cup flour). Also, choose gluten-free cream soups. The texture will be just as creamy!

4

Can I add extra veggies?

Yes! Try frozen peas or diced carrots. Add them during the last 30 minutes of cooking so they don’t turn mushy.

★★★★★4.5(11 reviews)
Tyler Campbell