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Southern Smothered Chicken Recipe

If you’re searching for a satisfying and delicious dinner option, Southern Smothered Chicken is a perfect choice. This classic dish features tender chicken thighs covered in a thick, creamy sauce, flavored with a variety of aromatic spices. In the next section, I’m excited to share my favorite way to make Southern Smothered Chicken, including tips on choosing the finest ingredients and the method of preparation.

Choosing the Right Ingredients

To make Southern Smothered Chicken, you’ll need a few key ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• Chicken thighs: This recipe calls for boneless chicken thighs, which are perfect for the creamy sauce in this dish.
• Flour: You’ll need all-purpose flour to coat the chicken before cooking.
• Salt and pepper: These seasonings will give the chicken plenty of flavor.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds a delicious savory flavor to the sauce.
• Onion powder: This seasoning adds a subtle onion flavor to the sauce.
• Paprika: This spice adds a smoky flavor and a beautiful color to the dish.
• Chicken broth: You’ll need chicken broth to make the sauce.
• Milk: Whole or 2% milk will give the sauce a creamy texture.
• Butter: This adds richness and flavor to the sauce.

Preparation Before Cooking

Before you start cooking, there are a few things you’ll need to do to prepare the chicken and the sauce. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Season the chicken: Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then coat them in flour.
2. Brown the chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then brown the chicken on both sides until golden brown.
3. Make the sauce: In the same skillet, sauté garlic and onion powder until fragrant, then add chicken broth, milk, paprika, and butter. Whisk together until smooth.
4. Cook the chicken in the sauce: Add the chicken back to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the chicken. Cover and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.

That’s it! With just a few simple ingredients and some easy steps, you can make a delicious Southern Smothered Chicken dinner that’s sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

Cooking Process

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuRtO2Jn83k&embed=true

Frying the Chicken

To make Southern smothered chicken, you need to start by frying the chicken. I prefer using chicken drumsticks, but you can use your favorite chicken parts. I like to season my chicken with a mixture of spices like black pepper, cayenne, thyme, and paprika. I then dip the chicken in buttermilk and coat it in a mixture of flour and cornmeal.

Next, I heat up a cast iron skillet with some oil and fry the chicken until it’s golden brown. I then remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

Making the Gravy

After frying the chicken, I use the same skillet to make the gravy. I start by cooking some bacon until it’s crispy and then remove it from the skillet. I then add some chopped onions and cook them until they’re translucent.

I add some flour to the skillet and cook it until it’s browned. I then add some chicken bouillon, whole milk, and water to the skillet. I stir the mixture until it’s smooth and creamy. I then add some fresh parsley and thyme to the skillet.

Combining Ingredients

Once the gravy is ready, I add the fried chicken back to the skillet. I spoon the gravy over the chicken and cover the skillet with a lid. I let the chicken simmer in the gravy for about 30 minutes.

Southern smothered chicken is a delicious comfort food that can be served as a main course with mashed potatoes or as a side dish with cornbread. Leftover smothered chicken can be refrigerated and reheated for a quick and easy meal the next day.

Here’s a list of ingredients you’ll need to make Southern smothered chicken:

• Chicken drumsticks
• Buttermilk
• Flour
• Cornmeal
• Black pepper
• Cayenne
• Thyme
• Paprika
• Bacon
• Onions
• Chicken bouillon
• Whole milk
• Water
• Fresh parsley

Southern smothered chicken is a classic Louisiana dish that can be made with a variety of meats like pork chops or even cajun or creole seasonings. It’s a hearty stew that’s perfect for a cold winter night.

Serving Suggestions

Accompaniments

When it comes to serving Southern Smothered Chicken, there are a variety of accompaniments that can complement this dish. One classic option is a bed of rice, which can soak up the delicious onion and garlic gravy that smothers the chicken. Mashed potatoes are another popular choice that can provide a creamy contrast to the savory chicken and rich gravy.

For those who want to add a bit of heat to their meal, cayenne pepper can be sprinkled on the chicken or added to the gravy. Smoked paprika is another spice that can add depth of flavor to the dish.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, consider serving the chicken with a side of collard greens or green beans. These vegetables not only provide a healthy balance to the meal, but also add a pop of color to your plate.

Presentation Tips

When it comes to presenting Southern Smothered Chicken, there are a few tips that can make your dish look as good as it tastes. One simple way to elevate the dish is to garnish it with chopped parsley or green onions. This not only adds a pop of color, but also adds a fresh flavor to the dish.

Another presentation tip is to serve the chicken on a platter with the homemade onion and garlic gravy poured over the top. This not only looks impressive, but also allows everyone to help themselves to as much or as little gravy as they like.

For those who want to switch things up, consider serving the chicken with other soul food classics like ribs or cornbread. This not only adds variety to the meal, but also makes it feel like a true Sunday dinner.

In summary, Southern Smothered Chicken is a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of accompaniments and presented in a number of ways. Whether you’re serving boneless chicken breasts, chicken wings, or even using an air fryer, this dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

After making this delicious southern smothered chicken, you may have some leftovers. Store any remaining chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. Make sure to refrigerate the chicken as soon as possible after it has cooled down to prevent bacterial growth.

Reheating Instructions

To reheat your smothered chicken, you can use either the oven or the microwave. Here are some simple instructions for each method:

Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Place the leftover chicken in an oven-safe dish.
3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil or a lid.
4. Bake the chicken in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until it is heated through.

Microwave

1. Place the leftover chicken in a microwave-safe dish.
2. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap.
3. Microwave the chicken on 50% power in one-minute increments until it is heated through.

Make sure to check the temperature of the chicken before serving to ensure that it has been heated to a safe temperature of 165°F (74°C). You may need to adjust the reheating time depending on the amount of chicken you are reheating.

It is important to note that reheating the chicken may cause the gravy to thicken. If this happens, you can add a little bit of chicken stock or water to the gravy to thin it out.

Overall, storing and reheating smothered chicken is easy and convenient. With these simple instructions, you can enjoy this delicious dish even after it has been made.