Description
Southern Smothered Chicken is a comforting classic of Southern and Cajun cooking. This hearty dish features tender chicken thighs and drumsticks smothered in a rich, creamy gravy. Perfectly paired with sides like rice, mashed potatoes, or biscuits, it’s a beloved comfort food that brings warmth and nostalgia to family dinners.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 4 chicken thighs
- 4 chicken drumsticks
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Gravy:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (leftover from frying)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- In a shallow dish, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, poultry seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Dredge chicken pieces in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Reserve remaining flour mixture for the gravy.
- Fry the Chicken:
- Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat.
- Fry chicken pieces in batches, 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Make the Gravy:
- Drain all but 1/4 cup of the oil from the skillet. Add 1/4 cup of the reserved seasoned flour to the skillet and whisk to form a roux. Cook over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk until smooth. Add onions, garlic, paprika, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens.
- Smother the Chicken:
- Return the fried chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the gravy. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30–40 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Serve:
- Serve hot over rice, mashed potatoes, or biscuits, with extra gravy on the side.