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A skillet of smothered chicken in a creamy, herb-filled sauce, with one piece being lifted on a spoon, showing a golden-brown crust.

Smothered Chicken

Tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich, creamy onion gravy—comfort food at its finest.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 945
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour for coating chicken and thickening gravy
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder seasoned into flour
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder seasoned into flour
  • 2 teaspoons paprika for color and flavor
  • 1 ½ teaspoons seasoned salt divided; adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper ground
  • 3 lbs chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on; can substitute boneless, adjust cooking time
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil for browning chicken
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter for sautéing onions
  • 1 yellow onion halved and thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 ½ cups chicken broth low-sodium preferred
  • ½ cup heavy cream for rich gravy
  • Fresh parsley optional, chopped for garnish

Method
 

  1. Combine flour, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, seasoned salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish. Mix thoroughly.
  2. Coat chicken thighs evenly with the seasoned flour mixture on both sides. Reserve extra flour for gravy.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 4–6 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
  4. Add butter and sliced onion to the pan; sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 additional minute.
  5. Sprinkle reserved seasoned flour into the pan and stir, cooking for about 1 minute. Gradually pour in chicken broth while stirring to form gravy.
  6. Return chicken and any accumulated juices to the pan. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 25–28 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and tender.
  7. Remove lid and stir in heavy cream until fully incorporated into gravy.
  8. Remove from heat, plate chicken, and top with parsley if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 ServingCalories: 945kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 50gFat: 75gSaturated Fat: 25gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gMonounsaturated Fat: 32gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 334mgSodium: 1434mgPotassium: 750mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1336IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 71mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Serve this smothered chicken over rice or mashed potatoes to soak up the rich, creamy gravy for a classic Southern comfort meal.

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