Mystery Lovers' Kitchen: Creamed Chicken à la Paula Deen

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Creamed Chicken à la Paula Deen

t was one of those days where I didn't feel like going to the grocery store. (It was cold and snowing. it's always cold and snowing in Michigan in the winter). I googled the contents of my fridge and freezer and this recipe of Paula Deen's popped up.Not only did I have all the ingredients but it was quick and easy and total comfort food on a frigid night. I poached a chicken breast for the recipe but you could easily use chicken leftover from a roast or a rotisserie chicken to make it even easier.

1 TBSP butter

1 TBSP flour (I used gluten free)

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup half and half

1 TBSP dry sherry

2 cups chopped or shredded chicken breasts

1/2 tsp dried thyme

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup frozen peas (optional)

Shred or chop one large or two smaller cooked chicken breasts.

Melt butter in a saucepan and add flour. Stir until flour is incorporated.

Whisk in the chicken broth, half and half and sherry.

Cook, whisking, until combined. Bring to a boil while whisking. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until mixture is thickened.

Add in shredded chicken, thyme, optional peas and salt and pepper to test. Simmer until peas are thawed and warm.

When a wealthy local benefactor is slain on the farm, Monica has to figure out who wanted to cash in on the killing . . .

As Sassamanash Farms hunkers down for the long winter, Monica agrees to let the local animal shelter host their Christmas-themed fundraiser there. The draw of the event—a chance to have your pet’s picture taken with Santa—brings in animal lovers from far and wide. But when the crackling fire dies down and the festive holiday props are all carted away, Monica discovers a very un-jolly sight next to the barn—the dead body of one of the shelter’s biggest donors. With the farm’s good name in jeopardy, Monica goes to work to root out the killer.

By all accounts the victim was a charming and generous supporter of the shelter, but Monica discovers that he was loathed by those who knew him for being tight-fisted and unscrupulous. Suspecting money might be the motive, she turns her sights on his stylish wife and her lavish lifestyle, along with the manager of the struggling shelter, who stood to collect a hefty bequest from his will. But as Monica closes in on one final clue, the culprit closes in on her. Caught unawares, she’ll have to survive the brutal winter weather, as well as a cold-blooded killer . . .