The holiday season is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to bring some soulful, southern comfort to your Thanksgiving or holiday table. When it comes to festive feasting, we’ve got a delectable surprise for you – Smothered Chicken. This savory dish is a warm embrace of tender, juicy chicken smothered in a rich and creamy gravy. The combination of flavors and textures will transport your taste buds to a place of pure indulgence. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through every step of creating this culinary masterpiece, ensuring that you’ll have a Thanksgiving spread worth remembering.
Picture this: succulent chicken wings, drum sticks, thighs, and or breast infused with the smoky allure of paprika and the gentle warmth of garlic. As you sink your teeth into these wings, your palate awakens to a burst of flavors. The gravy is a silky, dreamy concoction that envelopes each wing, creating a harmonious union of textures and tastes. This dish is the epitome of comfort food – hearty, satisfying, and perfect for sharing with loved ones on special occasions like Thanksgiving.
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Ingredients:
- 2 pounds Chicken
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 1⁄2 cup chopped Green Peppers
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1⁄4 cup Flour
- 1⁄2 cup chopped or sliced Onions
- 1⁄2 cup Heavy Cream
- 1⁄2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
Step By Step Guide:
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to a toasty 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Season the Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, season your chicken with the tantalizing combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let the flavors mingle and marinate for a bit.
- Prepare the Bed of Onions and Peppers: In a 9×13 baking dish, spread out the chopped onions and green peppers evenly, creating a fragrant and flavorful bed for your chicken.
- Chicken on the Bed: Place your seasoned chicken on top of the aromatic bed of onions and peppers. To keep the flavors locked in, gently drizzle the chicken broth along the edges of the pan, taking care not to wash away the delightful spices on the chicken.
- Cover and Bake: Cover your baking dish with foil and pop it into the preheated oven. Let the magic happen for 45 minutes.
- Uncover and Transfer: After 45 minutes, remove the dish from the oven and carefully take off the foil. Now, carefully transfer the chicken from the baking dish to a separate plate. You’re saving those flavorful drippings, broth, peppers, and onions in the baking dish – they’re key to the gravy.
- Create the Gravy: In a saucepan or skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter and add the olive oil. Once the butter is all melted and sizzling, toss in the onions and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until they become translucent and release their fragrant aroma.
- The Floury Magic: Gradually add the flour in stages while stirring continuously to prevent clumps from forming. The mixture will start to thicken and take on a golden hue.
- Creamy Delight: Pour in the heavy cream (or half and half), the chicken drippings from the baking dish, and a hint of garlic powder. Stir until the sauce becomes luxuriously thick and creamy.
- Return the Wings to Gravy: Place the chicken back into the pan, nestling them into the sumptuous gravy. This is where the magic happens.
- Bake and Savor: Return the pan to the oven and bake, uncovered, for an additional 15-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can double-check with a meat thermometer for the perfect doneness.
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Expert Tips and Tricks:
- If you prefer a bit of heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to your seasoning mix.
- For an even richer gravy, consider adding a splash of white wine during the sauce-making step.
- Serve your Smothered Chicken over creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice to soak up all that luscious gravy.
15 Variations for Southern-Style Smothered Chicken
- Spicy Smothered Chicken: Add cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or jalapeños for a kick of heat.
- Mushroom Gravy: Stir in sautéed mushrooms to the gravy for an earthy, savory flavor.
- Creamy Smothered Chicken: Use heavy cream or sour cream to make the gravy extra rich and creamy.
- Bacon Smothered Chicken: Add crispy bacon bits into the gravy for a smoky, savory twist.
- Garlic Herb Chicken: Incorporate fresh garlic, rosemary, and thyme into the gravy for a fragrant, herbal note.
- Cheesy Smothered Chicken: Top the chicken with shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or a cheese blend and broil for a few minutes to melt.
- Smothered Chicken with Caramelized Onions: Slow-cook onions until they caramelize and add them to the gravy for sweetness.
- Smothered Chicken with Spinach: Stir in sautéed spinach to add a healthy twist to the dish.
- Cajun Smothered Chicken: Season the chicken and gravy with Cajun spices for a bold, Southern flavor.
- Smothered Chicken with Bell Peppers: Add colorful bell peppers to the gravy for a touch of sweetness and a pop of color.
- Lemon Herb Chicken: Add fresh lemon juice and zest to brighten the dish with citrus flavor.
- Smothered Chicken with Gravy and Smoked Sausage: Slice smoked sausage into the gravy for a hearty and flavorful addition.
- Apple Cider Smothered Chicken: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to the gravy for a tangy, sweet twist.
- BBQ Smothered Chicken: Combine barbecue sauce with the gravy for a smoky, tangy flavor fusion.
- Smothered Chicken and Rice Casserole: Transform the dish into a baked casserole by adding cooked rice and baking it with the smothered chicken and gravy.
15 Serving Options for Southern-Style Smothered Chicken
Hush Puppies: These deep-fried cornmeal balls add a crispy, satisfying bite alongside the smothered chicken.
Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are perfect for soaking up the flavorful gravy.
Buttermilk Biscuits: Fluffy, buttery biscuits make an ideal accompaniment to smothered chicken.
Rice: White or brown rice provides a neutral base that complements the rich gravy.
Collard Greens: A classic Southern side, collard greens add a slightly bitter contrast to the rich chicken and gravy.
Cornbread: Sweet or savory cornbread pairs well with the hearty flavors of smothered chicken.
Macaroni and Cheese: A creamy, cheesy mac and cheese balances the savory richness of the smothered chicken.
Green Beans: Sautéed or stewed green beans offer a lighter, healthier option to balance the meal.
Sweet Potatoes: Roasted or mashed sweet potatoes bring a natural sweetness that complements the savory gravy.
Fried Okra: Crispy fried okra adds a crunchy texture alongside the creamy chicken.
Steamed Broccoli: For a lighter side, steamed broccoli adds a touch of freshness and color to the plate.
Grits: Creamy Southern-style grits soak up the gravy beautifully, offering a rich, comforting side.
Roasted Vegetables: Roasted carrots, parsnips, or Brussels sprouts add a touch of sweetness and texture.
Red Beans and Rice: This classic Southern combo adds heartiness and pairs perfectly with the smothered chicken.
Potato Salad: A chilled, creamy potato salad offers a nice contrast to the hot, savory chicken and gravy.
Storage Tips:
If you happen to have any leftovers (though it’s doubtful), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the oven for the best results.
In conclusion, these Smothered Chicken are a taste of the South that you can bring to your Thanksgiving or holiday table. The combination of tender chicken, flavorful seasonings, and rich, creamy gravy will leave your guests raving about your culinary skills. So, this holiday season, delight your loved ones with this soul-warming dish, and watch as it becomes a cherished tradition at your festive gatherings. Happy cooking and happy holidays!
Southern Style Smothered Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lb Chicken can use white or dark meat
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- pinch Salt and Pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped Green Peppers
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup Flour
- 1/2 cup chopped or sliced Onions
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Season the chicken with your chosen seasoning. I also add some of my A seasoning from my Level Up Series. FIRE! Heat a skillet with oil of choice. I used Branch and Vines Garlic Infused Olive Oil and brown your Chicken on all sides.
- In a 9×13 baking dish, spread out the sliced onions and chopped peppers evenly.
- Place the seasoned chicken on top of the bed of onions and peppers. Gently drizzle the broth along the edges of the pan, being careful not to wash away the seasoning off the chicken.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 – 45 minutes.
- After 45 minutes, remove the dish from the oven and take off the foil. Carefully transfer the chicken from the baking dish to a separate plate.
- Keep the chicken drippings, broth, peppers, and onions that are left in the baking dish. These drippings will be used to make the gravy.
- In a saucepan or skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter and add the olive oil.
- Once the butter is melted, add the onions and sauté for about 3-4 minutes, or until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Gradually add the flour in stages, stirring continuously to prevent clumping.
- Pour in the heavy cream (or half and half), the chicken drippings from the baking dish, and the garlic powder. Stir until the sauce thickens.
- Return the chicken to the pan with the prepared gravy.
- Bake for an additional 15-25 minutes, uncovered, or until the chicken reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check for doneness using a meat thermometer.
