Delicious Southern Smothered Chicken Recipe
This Delicious Southern Smothered Chicken recipe features tender, marinated chicken pieces seared to perfection and simmered in a rich, creamy gravy made from caramelized onions, garlic, chicken broth, and heavy cream. It’s a comforting classic Southern dish perfect served over rice, mashed potatoes, or your favorite veggies.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 3 hours to overnight marinating)
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 55 minutes (including marinating time)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Gluten Free
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 seasoned 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
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the cleaned and rinsed chicken with 1 teaspoon Lawry’s seasoning salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Mix thoroughly until the chicken is fully coated. Transfer the chicken to a sealed ziplock bag and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, ideally overnight. Before cooking, let the chicken sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
- Brown/Sear the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and sear each side for about 3-4 minutes until nicely browned. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
- Make the Sauce: Using the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the chopped onions and sauté until caramelized and deeply golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Thicken the Gravy: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic, stirring to combine fully. Gradually pour in the chicken stock or bone broth while stirring frequently with a wooden spoon until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Cream and Seasonings: Stir in the heavy cream and reduce heat to low. Add the fresh thyme sprigs and the remaining 1 teaspoon of Lawry’s seasoned salt. Simmer gently, allowing the gravy to become smooth and thickened.
- Simmer the Chicken in Sauce: Return the seared chicken pieces to the skillet, coating them with the gravy. Continue to simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and the gravy deepens in color and consistency. If the sauce is not thick enough, mix 1-2 tablespoons of flour with water and stir into the sauce to thicken.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the smothered chicken hot with your choice of sides such as basmati rice, brown rice, mashed potatoes, or vegetables. Enjoy your comforting Southern dish!
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances flavor and tenderness.
- Removing the skin helps reduce fat content and keeps the dish lighter.
- Use fresh thyme sprigs for a more aromatic and authentic flavor profile.
- If the gravy becomes too thick, add a splash of chicken stock to thin it out.
- This dish pairs excellently with creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice to soak up the delicious gravy.
Keywords: Southern smothered chicken, creamy chicken gravy, seared chicken recipe, comfort food, homestyle chicken, skillet chicken, marinated chicken, chicken thighs recipe
