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Delicious Southern Smothered Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 620 reviews

This Delicious Southern Smothered Chicken recipe features tender, marinated chicken pieces seared to perfection and simmered in a rich, creamy gravy with caramelized onions, garlic, and fresh thyme. Perfectly hearty and comforting, this dish is an ideal main course served over rice, mashed potatoes, or veggies.

Ingredients

Scale

Smothered Chicken

  • 3–4 lbs. organic chicken, skin removed (drumsticks and thigh pieces work great)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons Lawry’s seasoning salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ cup organic all-purpose flour
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 2 cups organic chicken stock or bone broth
  • 1 cup organic heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken with 1 teaspoon of Lawry’s seasoning salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Transfer the coated chicken to a sealed ziplock bag and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, ideally overnight. When ready to cook, let the chicken sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to take the chill off.
  2. Brown/Sear the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the marinated chicken pieces in the skillet and cook each side for 3-4 minutes until nicely seared and browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
  3. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté for 8-10 minutes until caramelized and deeply golden. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the flour, mixing thoroughly to combine with the onions and garlic.
  4. Simmer the Gravy: Gradually pour in the chicken stock or bone broth while stirring continuously with a wooden spoon until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Add the heavy cream, reduce heat to low, and let the gravy simmer until smooth and thickened. Add fresh thyme sprigs and the remaining 1 teaspoon of Lawry’s seasoning salt, stirring to combine.
  5. Combine and Finish Cooking: Return the seared chicken to the skillet, coating each piece with the sauce. Simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and the gravy develops a deeper color and creamier texture. If the sauce is too thin, mix an additional 1-2 tablespoons of flour with water and stir into the sauce to thicken further.
  6. Serve: Remove thyme sprigs from the skillet and serve the smothered chicken hot over basmati rice, brown rice, mashed potatoes, or your choice of vegetables. Enjoy your comforting Southern meal!

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken overnight for best flavor and tenderness.
  • Searing the chicken first develops a rich, browned flavor that enhances the dish.
  • Caramelizing onions properly is key to a flavorful gravy—don’t rush this step.
  • If your gravy is too thin after simmering, use a flour-water slurry to thicken it without lumps.
  • Remove thyme sprigs before serving to avoid an overly herbal taste.
  • This dish pairs well with classic Southern sides like collard greens or cornbread.

Keywords: Southern chicken, smothered chicken, creamy chicken gravy, comfort food, caramelized onions, bone broth, seared chicken, easy dinner

Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/delicious-southern-smothered-chicken-recipe/