Smothered Chicken is a delicious comfort food dish that involves chicken breasts (or thighs) cooked until tender and then “smothered” with a rich, flavorful gravy. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal often served with mashed potatoes or rice to soak up all the delicious sauce. Here’s a simple recipe for Smothered Chicken:
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme (optional)
For the Gravy:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth (or stock)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 1/2 tsp hot sauce (optional, for a little kick)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Season the Chicken:
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dried thyme (if using).
2. Cook the Chicken:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/75°C).
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. If needed, add more oil to the pan before making the gravy.
3. Make the Gravy:
- In the same skillet, add butter and melt over medium heat.
- Add the sliced onion and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic, and stir to combine. This will help thicken the gravy. Cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to remove the raw flour taste.
- Gradually add the chicken broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer, and cook for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Stir in the heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce (if using), and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Continue to simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the gravy is thickened and smooth.
4. Smother the Chicken:
- Return the cooked chicken breasts (or thighs) to the skillet, nestling them into the gravy. Spoon some of the gravy over the chicken.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the chicken simmer in the gravy for 5-10 minutes to absorb the flavors and heat through.
5. Serve:
- Garnish the smothered chicken with chopped fresh parsley.
- Serve the chicken with mashed potatoes, rice, or your favorite side dish to enjoy with the gravy.
Tips:
- You can also add mushrooms or bell peppers to the gravy for extra flavor and texture.
- If you like your gravy thicker, simply let it simmer a bit longer to reduce, or add a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water) to thicken it faster.
- For a slightly smoky flavor, try adding a dash of smoked paprika or a few drops of liquid smoke to the gravy.
Enjoy your Smothered Chicken—it’s sure to be a family favorite!
