{"id":2044053,"date":"2024-09-12T14:43:22","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T23:43:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?post_type=recipe&p=2044053"},"modified":"2024-09-17T14:01:18","modified_gmt":"2024-09-17T19:01:18","slug":"smothered-chicken-2","status":"publish","type":"recipe","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/smothered-chicken-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Smothered Chicken"},"content":{"rendered":"
For many people, home tastes like a plate of smothered chicken with all the sides. A smothered chicken recipe, besides being wonderfully decadent and delicious, is an essential part of the soul food recipes<\/a> canon.<\/p>\n We have generations of talented Black chefs<\/a> and cooks to thank for this cuisine. Soul food<\/a> was borne of the ingenuity and skill of enslaved peoples brought to the United States from across Africa. Despite finding themselves in unforgiving surroundings with unfamiliar ingredients, these folks took inspiration from their own heirloom recipes, blending them with what foods were available.<\/p>\n In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, salt and pepper. Reserve 4 tablespoons of the mixture for the gravy.<\/p>\n Coat the chicken, a piece or two at a time, in the flour mixture. Shake off any excess.<\/p>\n Next, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken to the pan and brown on both sides. Once browned, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.<\/p>\n Reserve 3 tablespoons of the drippings from the pan (you can discard the rest). This will form the base of the gravy.<\/p>\n In the pan, whisk together the drippings and the reserved flour mixture until blended. Then gradually whisk in the broth and bouillon. As you stir, loosen up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Whisk in the seasonings and Worcestershire sauce.<\/p>\n Editor’s Tip:<\/em> The browned bits in the pan are called fond<\/a> and are full of flavor that will make your gravy taste ultra-rich.<\/p>\n Next, return the chicken to the pan and heat until the gravy begins to boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer. Cover the pan and cook until a thermometer inserted into the chicken reads 170 to 175\u00baF, 13 to 15 minutes.<\/p>\n The last step is to stir in the half-and-half to make the sauce velvety. Serve immediately.<\/p>\n Once the leftovers of your smothered chicken recipe have cooled to room temperature, store the chicken covered with gravy in an airtight container. The leftovers can last in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat the chicken<\/a> low and slow in a saucepan with the lid on or in the microwave. Don\u2019t heat it too fast or the chicken will be hot on the outside and cold on the inside and the gravy will break.<\/p>\n Absolutely! Once your smothered chicken thighs have cooled to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container and stash them in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw the chicken overnight in the fridge.<\/p>\n If you find that your gravy isn\u2019t quite as thick as you\u2019d like, you can add flour or cornstarch to give it more body. Thicken gravy<\/a> with cornstarch by combining the starch with a bit of water to make a mixture called a slurry. Then, whisk this slurry into the gravy. You can also thicken gravy by whisking in flour on its own. Be sure to whisk well to break up any lumps.<\/p>\n If the gravy is too thick, add a splash of broth. This will help loosen the sauce. And if you encounter any other issues, here are all our best ways to fix gravy<\/a>.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll definitely want to enjoy plenty of the creamy gravy that accompanies this chicken. To make the most of it, serve smothered chicken thighs and the gravy over a bed of rice or mashed potatoes. You can also serve smothered chicken with biscuits<\/a>\u2014be sure to soak up every bit of that sauce! Complete the meal with some green veggies like broccoli, green beans<\/a> or collard greens<\/a>.<\/p>\n You certainly\u00a0can use other cuts of chicken when learning how to make smothered chicken. Bone-in chicken breasts or drumsticks could also be used. You could even opt for boneless chicken thighs or breasts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Who can resist a generous helping of smothered chicken? This is comfort food at its finest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7075,"featured_media":2044054,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"tags":[304163,307330,307345,305271,304292,303966,304368,303887,306848,304268,307307,305374,324623,304388,304020,305394,304005,304150,303883,304403],"categories-v2":[339210,310369,310378,308481,309216,308305,308495,308745,308478,309603,259483,310342,309381,309177,308752,308594,309408,308549,309434,308476,308812],"coauthors":[39610,342012],"recommended_recipes":[{"post_title":"Smothered Burritos","post_link":"\/recipes\/smothered-burritos\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Smothered-Burritos_EXPS_TOHD24_117455_LeticiaAlmeida_08.jpg"},{"post_title":"Spinach and Mushroom Smothered 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Thighs","post_link":"\/recipes\/mexican-smothered-chicken-thighs\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Mexican-Smothered-Chicken-Thighs_exps50835_SD19999446C10_11_6b_RMS.jpg"},{"post_title":"Smothered Cabbage","post_link":"\/recipes\/smothered-cabbage\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/EXPS_TOH_272312_LIZZIE_PACHTER_-4.jpg"},{"post_title":"Smothered Home-Style Chicken","post_link":"\/recipes\/smothered-home-style-chicken\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Smothered-Home-Style-Chicken_EXPS_FT22_49616_F_0316_1.jpg"},{"post_title":"Chicken on a Stick","post_link":"\/recipes\/chicken-on-a-stick\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/recipeFallback.jpg"},{"post_title":"Buttermilk Baked Chicken","post_link":"\/recipes\/buttermilk-baked-chicken\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/exps28494_RM10623D48A.jpg"},{"post_title":"28 Smothered Chicken 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This is comfort food at its finest.","recipeIngredient":["1\/2 cup all-purpose flour","1 teaspoon seasoned salt","1\/2 teaspoon pepper","4 bone-in chicken thighs (about 1-1\/2 pounds)","1\/2 cup canola oil","2-1\/2 cups chicken broth","1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules","1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce","3\/4 teaspoon onion powder","3\/4 teaspoon garlic powder","1\/4 teaspoon each dried thyme, dried crushed rosemary and rubbed sage","1\/3 cup half-and-half cream"],"recipeInstructions":[{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Coat the chicken","text":"In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, salt and pepper. Reserve 4 tablespoons of the mixture for the gravy. Coat the chicken, a piece or two at a time, in the flour mixture. Shake off any excess.","image":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/How-to-Make-Smothered-Chicken_TOHcom23_274075_P2_MD_08_16_2b.jpg?fit=700,467"},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Brown the chicken","text":"Next, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken to the pan and brown on both sides. Once browned, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Make the gravy","text":"Reserve 3 tablespoons of the drippings from the pan (you can discard the rest). This will form the base of the gravy. In the pan, whisk together the drippings and the reserved flour mixture until blended. Then gradually whisk in the broth and bouillon. As you stir, loosen up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Whisk in the seasonings and Worcestershire sauce. Editor's Tip: The browned bits in the pan are called fond and are full of flavor that will make your gravy taste ultra-rich.","image":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/How-to-Make-Smothered-Chicken_TOHcom23_274075_P2_MD_08_16_3b.jpg?fit=700,467"},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Finish cooking the chicken","text":"Next, return the chicken to the pan and heat until the gravy begins to boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer. Cover the pan and cook until a thermometer inserted into the chicken reads 170 to 175\u00baF, 13 to 15 minutes. The last step is to stir in the half-and-half to make the sauce velvety. Serve immediately.","image":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/How-to-Make-Smothered-Chicken_TOHcom23_274075_P2_MD_08_16_4b.jpg?fit=700,467"}],"recipeYield":"4 servings","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Lisa Kaminski"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Val Goodrich"}],"nutrition":{"@type":"NutritionInformation","calories":" 353 calories","fatContent":"26g fat (9g saturated fat)","cholesterolContent":"100mg cholesterol","sodiumContent":"1108mg sodium","carbohydrateContent":"3g carbohydrate (2g sugars","fiberContent":"0 fiber)","proteinContent":"24g protein."},"aggregateRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":5,"reviewCount":2,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5},"recipeCuisine":"North America, Southern","review":[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Review","datePublished":"2024-12-31","author":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Person","name":"NH-rescue"},"reviewBody":" This is a really tasty recipe. It didn't take long to put together or to cook. I used Better Than Bouillon paste instead of beef bouillon granules. I also kept all the drippings instead of discarding some because they added so much flavor. This is great with rice or noodles.<\/p> We'll be making this again and again.<\/p> <\/p>","reviewRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5}},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Review","datePublished":"2025-01-03","author":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Person","name":"Amber8728"},"reviewBody":" Thank you for tonight\u2019s supper! I did leave out some ingredients, though. Anyway, it turned out great. Deli-umptious!<\/p> Amber K. from AL, USA.<\/p>","reviewRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5}}]},"video":{"data":{"status":204},"message":"No shortcode found in recipe"},"rms_legacy_id":"274075","romance_copy_dek":"Who can resist a generous helping of smothered chicken? 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Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n
Directions<\/h2>\n
Step 1: Coat the chicken<\/h3>\n
Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Step 2: Brown the chicken<\/h3>\n
Step 3: Make the gravy<\/h3>\n
Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Step 4: Finish cooking the chicken<\/h3>\n
Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Recipe Variations<\/h2>\n
\n
How to Store Smothered Chicken<\/h2>\n
Can you freeze smothered chicken?<\/h3>\n
Smothered Chicken Tips<\/h2>\n
How do you thicken (or thin) gravy?<\/h3>\n
What should you serve with smothered chicken?<\/h3>\n
Can you use other cuts of chicken?<\/h3>\n