Southern Smothered Chicken
Southern Smothered Chicken is a comforting, soul-warming dish featuring crispy seasoned chicken simmered in a rich, homemade gravy packet sauce. This Smothered Chicken With Gravy is tender, flavorful, and perfect for pairing with rice, mashed potatoes, or biscuits.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 4 bone-in skinless chicken thighs (or mix of thighs & drumsticks)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or bacon grease
- For the Gravy:
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups chicken broth low sodium
- ½ cup whole milk or heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Dredge the Chicken: In a shallow dish, mix flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Coat the seasoned chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Save 2 tablespoons of the flour mixture for later.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown (not fully cooked). Remove and set aside.
- Make the Roux: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onions until soft. Stir in the reserved flour mixture and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Build the Gravy: Slowly whisk in chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, and chicken bouillon, ensuring no lumps. Let the mixture simmer until slightly thickened.
- Smother the Chicken: Return the smothered chicken to the skillet, covering it with the gravy packet sauce. Cover and simmer on low for 30-35 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is fork-tender.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in milk or heavy cream for a richer gravy. Cook for another 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot over rice, biscuits, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- For extra depth, use bacon grease instead of oil.
- Thicken the gravy more by adding 1 extra tablespoon of flour.
- For a dairy-free option, use unsweetened almond or oat milk.
- Pairs well with cornbread, green beans, or baked pasta dishes.