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Smothered Chicken

Smothered Chicken
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Smothered Chicken is a classic Southern comfort meal featuring tender bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces simmered in a rich, savory, and creamy onion gravy. This easy-to-make dish uses simple pantry staples to create a cozy, flavorful dinner perfect for weeknights or family gatherings. The golden-browned chicken, caramelized onions, and velvety gravy come together to warm your soul and satisfy your cravings. Customizable with spices and add-ins, it’s a versatile and impressive dish without the hassle.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts

For Dredging and Gravy

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour/cornstarch for GF)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon thyme or paprika (optional)

Vegetables

  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced

Liquids and Fats

  • 3 tablespoons butter or oil
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup milk or cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry and season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme or paprika if using. Lightly dredge each piece in flour, shaking off excess to ensure a thin coating that will create a crust and help thicken the gravy.
  2. Brown the Chicken: Heat butter or oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken pieces skin side down and cook until golden brown and crisp on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Cook the Onions: In the same skillet, add the sliced onions and sauté over medium heat until translucent and caramelized, about 8-10 minutes, scraping all the browned bits from the chicken to incorporate their flavor.
  4. Make the Gravy: Sprinkle a small amount of flour over the onions and stir well, cooking for about 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk or cream, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens into a creamy, velvety gravy.
  5. Simmer the Chicken: Return the browned chicken pieces to the skillet, nestling them in the gravy. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer gently for 20-30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Notes

  • Use bone-in, skin-on chicken for maximum flavor and juiciness.
  • Don’t skip browning the chicken as it adds depth to the gravy and seals in moisture.
  • Simmer on low heat for tender, melt-in-your-mouth results.
  • Use fresh onions for sweeter, less sharp gravy flavor.
  • If the gravy is too thick, add extra broth; if too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce.
  • For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch in equal amounts.
  • For dairy-free, use coconut milk in place of milk/cream and olive oil instead of butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: Smothered Chicken, Southern comfort food, creamy chicken gravy, easy chicken dinner, skillet chicken, home-cooked chicken, cozy meal, gluten-free chicken recipe

Find it online: https://mealsbylina.com/smothered-chicken/