Description
This smothered chicken recipe is the ultimate comfort food, bringing classic Southern flavors to your table with ease. Tender chicken pieces are seared until golden and then “smothered” in a creamy, savory onion gravy that’s seasoned to perfection. Whether you are preparing it for a cozy family dinner or a special gathering, this dish is rich, hearty, and sure to please every palate.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (you can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts if preferred)
- Salt and Pepper: For seasoning
- Smoked Paprika: 1 teaspoon
- Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon
- All-Purpose Flour: 1/2 cup (for dredging and thickening the gravy)
- Butter: 2 tablespoons
- Vegetable Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Onion: 1 large, sliced thin
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
- Chicken Broth: 2 cups
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup
- Fresh Thyme (optional): 1 teaspoon, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Dredge the chicken in flour, making sure each piece is evenly coated.
- Sear the Chicken:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces, skin-side down. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the skin turns golden brown.
- Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. It’s okay if the chicken is not fully cooked through; it will finish cooking in the gravy.
- Make the Gravy:
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the sliced onion.
- Sauté the onion for 8-10 minutes, or until caramelized and golden.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute, until fragrant.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour over the onions and stir for about 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue whisking until the gravy is smooth.
- Stir in the heavy cream and allow the mixture to come to a simmer. Let it thicken for about 3-5 minutes.
- Smother the Chicken:
- Return the chicken pieces to the skillet, placing them skin-side up in the gravy.
- Spoon some gravy over each chicken piece, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for about 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Finish and Serve:
- Once the chicken is cooked through, remove the skillet from the heat.
- Garnish with fresh thyme if desired.
- Serve the smothered chicken hot, with mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered bread to soak up all the delicious gravy.
Notes
Brining the Chicken: For extra juicy chicken, consider brining it beforehand. Use a simple salt and water brine for at least 4 hours to enhance moisture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: Southern, Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 160mg