Description
Creamy Southern smothered chicken delights taste buds with rich, velvety sauce and tender meat that melts in your mouth. Comforting flavors bring warmth to dinner tables, inviting hearty enjoyment with each satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts (or thighs)
Vegetable and Aromatics:
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) flour
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) butter
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Paprika to taste
Instructions
- Mix salt, pepper, and paprika, then thoroughly coat each chicken piece with the seasoning blend.
- Place a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat and melt a combination of olive oil and butter until shimmering.
- Carefully lay seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a rich golden-brown crust, approximately 4-5 minutes per surface.
- Transfer browned chicken to a clean plate, keeping the delectable pan drippings intact.
- Introduce sliced onions into the same skillet, sautéing until they become translucent and slightly caramelized.
- Add minced garlic and swirl quickly to prevent burning, releasing its aromatic essence.
- Sprinkle flour over the onion-garlic mixture, stirring constantly to create a smooth, nutty roux.
- Slowly stream chicken broth and cream into the skillet, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and ensure a silky sauce.
- Carefully nestle browned chicken pieces back into the creamy sauce, reducing heat to a gentle simmer.
- Cover the skillet and allow the chicken to cook through, becoming exceptionally tender, for roughly 25-30 minutes.
- Verify chicken is fully cooked by ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Finish by scattering freshly chopped parsley across the dish for a vibrant, herbaceous touch.
Notes
- Select bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness, ensuring more tender meat during the cooking process.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular flour with cornstarch or almond flour when making the roux, maintaining the same creamy consistency.
- Use a meat thermometer to check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked meat without overcooking.
- Transform this dish into a lower-fat option by using skinless chicken breasts and replacing heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt for reduced calories.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern (American)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 100mg