Easy 3 steps smothered chicken recipe

You’ll love this comforting smothered chicken recipe, full of flavour with juicy fried chicken drumstick, in a savory gravy.

Why do I love this smothered chicken recipe ?

I love this smothered chicken recipe not only because I am a chicken lover, but also because the flavorful and savory gravy sauce makes this recipe special.

The gravy is so comforting, delicious and easy to prepare in only a few steps in one pan. The cookbook author and chef Adrienne Cheatham says ”The gravy could be a meal on its own if you prepare it correctly”.

This smothered chicken recipe is full of proteins and quite comforting.

A Bit About the smothered chicken recipe

The smothered chicken recipe originally named ”To Smother Young Chickens” is a southern food recipe, that first appeared in one of the first American cookbook named ”The kentucky Housewife” in 1839.

The term ”smothering” does not have a beautiful sense, it means covering someone mouth and nose until they suffocate and die. But in cooking, ”smothering” is known as a cooking technique used in Cajun and Creole cuisines that consists of cooking chicken, meat or seafood in a covered pan with some liquid at low heat, the liquid thickens into a rich and flavorful gravy.

The smothered chicken recipe has always been prepared with affordable pieces of chicken and served with rice or smashed potatoes.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you need to prepare the smothered chicken recipe

• 6 chicken drumsticks
• Flour
• 1 tbsp Paprika
• 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
• Salt
• Pepper

For the gravy :

• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (to thicken the gravy)
• 2 cups chicken broth, you can dissolve 2 knor cubes in water.
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh parsley

How to prepare smothered chicken recipe ?

Prepare your chicken

In a bowl mix paprika, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Then coat your pieces of chicken into it and brown it in the pan with a bit of oil.

Make the gravy sauce

In the same pan, cook your thickly sliced onions until they turn golden. Then add a bit of flour in the onions, mix well. Afterwards, you can pour your chicken stock, let it thicken for a few minutes and then add 1/2 cup of heavy cream.

TIP : If you do not have liquid chicken stock, you can use a chicken stock cube and dilute it in water.

Smother your chicken

Put your chicken back in the pan, add a bit of fresh parsley, cover your pan and let it simmer on low heat for 20 to 25 minutes.

Then you can serve it !

What to serve with smothered chicken ?

FAQ: Smothered chicken recipe

What is in smothered chicken ?
The smothered chicken recipe is simply chicken pieces cooked in a flavorful gravy sauce made of chicken broth and some cream.

Why is it called smothered chicken ?
It’s called “smothered chicken” because it relates to the ”smothering” cooking technique used in Creole and Cajun cuisine, which consist of cooking chicken or meat, at low heat in a pan with gravy.

How do restaurants make chicken breasts so moist ?
Restaurants often use methods like brining, slow cooking, or finishing in a sauce. Some also cook it at a low temperature to avoid drying it out.

What’s the difference between stewed chicken and smothered chicken ?
The difference is that smothered chicken is first browned and then simmered in a thick gravy, while stewed chicken is fully cooked in liquid, like a soup or broth.

What goes well with smothered chicken ?
The smothered chicken recipe goes well with rice, mashed potatoes, biscuits, cornbread, green beans, or collard greens.

Should I cover smothered chicken ?
Yes, I recommend you to cover the smothered chicken while it simmers to make the chicken more tender and help the moisture.

Can I cook raw chicken in gravy ?
Yes, you can cook raw chicken in gravy but you have to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).

How long is smothered chicken good for in the fridge ?
You can store the smothered chicken recipe in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days in an airtight container.

How to make your own chicken gravy ?
It’s simple, you just need to whisk 1/3 cup of flour over medium heat with the drippings for 5 minutes, then pour in your water or chicken stock. Then you can season it with some rosemary, and salt and pepper.

How to heat up smothered chicken ?
To heat up smothered chicken you can simply put it in a pan over low heat or in the microwave and add a bit of broth or water to keep it from drying.

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