One great thing about chicken is how versatile it is; you can cook it in a lot of different ways and add a lot of different flavors to it. But that versatility means there will be a plethora of chicken dishes out there — many of which will fall out of fashion as time goes on. One famous example is chicken à la King, which is chicken in a creamy mushroom sauce served over a mix of vegetables and starch. Its a dish that was wildly popular in the 1950s but has fallen off significantly since; its joined plenty of other forgotten dishes.
But where did chicken a la King come from? Was it something that stuck around after World War II? No, it has a history that goes back further than that. As for its specific origins, well, thats a little more complicated. See, there are competing origin stories for chicken à la King — although funny enough, none of them cite an actual king as their inspiration. But beyond that, there are five possible origins.
Lots of people love chicken a la King. It’s soft chicken pieces in a creamy mushroom sauce that are served on toast, rice, or pasta. It was a popular dish in homes and restaurants in the early 1900s because it tastes so good and brings back memories. However, how did this dish get its fancy name? There are many origin stories, and people are still not sure what the real story is. Let’s unravel the mysteries behind this classic recipe.
A Dish Fit for Royalty
The name “a la King” or “à la King” is of course a reference to royalty. Dishes “a la king” or “a la reine” (queen) were fashionable in the late 1800s, denoting a rich, elegant style of cooking. But who exactly was the “King” that chicken a la King was named after? Over the years, many likely lads have been crowned.
E. Clark King II
A common story starts in the 1890s at the restaurant at the Brighton Beach Hotel in New York. This story says that chef George Greenwald came up with the dish and named it for E. Clark King II, a frequent diner at the hotel. King was well-known in New York’s hotel industry as the manager of the nearby Bellevue Hotel. It would have made good business sense to name the dish after this famous customer.
James R. Keene
Others claim that chicken a la King was created in the 1880s by the famous New York City restaurant, Delmonico’s, and named for their regular patron Foxhall P. Keene. Keene was the son of businessman James R. Keene, so the dish may have been named for the elder Keene instead. Another related legend credits chef Charles Ranhofer of Delmonico’s with inventing the dish for James R. Keene sometime in the 1890s after Keene’s winning horse race abroad.
William “Bill” King
The story that is told most often, though, is about a cook named William “Bill” King who worked at the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia in the 1890s. Several obituaries from 1915 said that King came up with chicken a la King and said, “In him blazed the fire of genius which at the white heat of inspiration, drove him.” to mix cream with pieces of chicken, mushrooms, truffles, red and green peppers, and ” Clearly, Mr. King was inspired!.
Distinct Ingredients
Though the dish’s true creator may never be known, there are a few main ingredients that make it taste great. Chicken a la King usually has cooked chicken cut into cubes or small pieces, along with mushrooms and sometimes pimientos or green peppers. These are all simmered in a rich cream sauce that is thickened with a roux and flavored with sherry or white wine. The creamy sauce is the hallmark of this comforting dish.
Early recipes kept it simple – chicken and sauce served over toast points or baked pastry shells. Later versions started incorporating more vegetables like peas and carrots and using canned soup for convenience. The dish remains flexible, with modern chefs putting their own spin on the classic while staying true to the luxurious cream sauce.
Royal Treatment in the 20th Century
In the early 1900s, chicken a la King started appearing in cookbooks and on elegant restaurant menus. It gained fame as a luncheon or supper entrée in fancy venues and dinner parties. The dish represented sophistication – it had an elegant French name, a rich sauce, and an air of exclusivity.
Chicken a la King remained a staple of upscale eateries and American home cooking through the mid 20th century. Its popularity likely started fading in the 1960s and 70s as food trends shifted to less heavy dishes. Still, it retains a place in the culinary canon as a retro recipe and a nostalgic food memory for many.
While its royal origins may remain shrouded in mystery, chicken a la King’s longevity speaks to its comforting flavors. The dish has evolved over the decades but remains a beloved recipe. Its richness provides satisfaction on a cold night, its soft textures are soothing, and it conjures up memories of old-fashioned Sunday dinners. With so many variations, modern cooks can put their own spin on this classic while preserving its essential creaminess. Chicken a la King is truly fit for a king – or at least still fit for any comfort food lover.
So the next time you enjoy chicken pieces blanketed in creamy mushroom sauce, appreciate the delicate flavors and rich history. Who knows – you may be eating like a king…or queen!
It didn’t come from France
Chicken à la King may have a French name, but it has no connection to France. Its origin stories may disagree, but they all come together on the same point: This is a dish named after an American. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that the “king” in chicken à la King isn’t a member of the royal family but rather a person with the last name King or Keene. There are references to chicken a la King dating back to 1665, but in all likelihood, these are separate from the more modern incarnation (and they dont involve specific written recipes anyway).
First are the two competing non-King stories, in which the dish was first named chicken à la Keene. In the first instance, this was James R. Keene, a well-known Wall Street trader and horse breeder, and the dish was created at a hotel in London in 1881 after Keenes horse Foxhall won the Grand Prix de Paris, becoming the first American horse to do so. In the second instance, it was named after James Keenes son Foxhall P. Keene (confusingly, he had the same name as his fathers horse), who suggested the core concept of the dish to the chef at Delmonicos sometime in the 1880s. In both cases, the idea is the dish eventually evolved in name to chicken à la King because it sounds more regal and fancy.
Where did Chicken a la King Come From?
FAQ
What is Chicken à la King?
Chicken à la King (‘chicken in the style of King’) is a dish consisting of diced chicken in a cream sauce, often with sherry, mushrooms, and vegetables, generally served over rice, noodles, or bread. It is also often served in a vol-au-vent or pastry case. It is sometimes made with tuna or turkey in place of chicken.
What makes chicken a la King different from other chicken dishes?
Over time, Chicken A La King became popular all over the world, both in high-end restaurants and at home. So, what sets Chicken A La King apart from other chicken dishes? The answer lies in its rich and creamy sauce, made with a mixture of butter, cream, and pimientos.
Who created chicken a la King?
In a 1915 obituary in the New York Times, it was said that the creator of Chicken a la King was William King. It was supposedly created in Philadelphia at the Bellevue Hotel where King worked as a cook in 1895. Why would I want to make Chicken a la King? I mean it is chicken and mushroom surrounded by a rich cream sauce so do I need to say more?.
Is Chicken à la King out of fashion?
But that versatility means there will be a plethora of chicken dishes out there — many of which will fall out of fashion as time goes on. One famous example is chicken à la King, which is chicken in a creamy mushroom sauce served over a mix of vegetables and starch.
When was chicken a la King popular?
Chicken a la King was extremely popular in the 50s and 60s. So popular that you would think it was created during that time period but it was actually created in the late 19th century. It was such a prevalent dish during the mid-century that writer Calvin Trillin was wondering where its whereabouts were….
How much does chicken à la King cost?
He prepared a special chicken dish one evening for the owners, Mr. & Mrs. E. Clark King II. The next day, either Mr. King loved it and wanted it to be on the menu, or Chef Greenwald asked if he could add it. In either case, it was added to the menu as Chicken à la King ($1. 25), and quickly became a great success.
Why do they call it chicken a la king?
What Is Chicken à la King? The origin of chicken à la king’s name is a subject of debate. Some say it was created at New York’s Brighton Beach Hotel in the 1890s and named after its proprietor E. Clark King II.
What is the meaning of a la king?
What is the meaning of chicken a la king?
Chicken a la King is essentially chicken in a cream sauce served over something like rice, toast points, noodles, pasta or in puff pastry bowls. It really is a versatile dish to use your leftovers. You can even substitute tunafish from a can, turkey, or any other meat instead of chicken.