Description
Southern-style smothered chicken brings comfort from Louisiana kitchens with rich, creamy gravy nestled over tender meat. Home cooks can savor deep flavor profiles that celebrate traditional southern culinary heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts
Aromatics and Vegetables:
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Generously coat chicken breasts with a blend of salt, pepper, and smoky paprika, ensuring even coverage.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (375°F), creating a golden sear on each side of the chicken until richly browned, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- In the same skillet, sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Dust the softened onions and garlic with flour, thoroughly coating and stirring to prevent clumping and create a smooth base for the sauce.
- Slowly stream in chicken broth and heavy cream, whisking continuously to eliminate lumps and develop a velvety, luxurious sauce that gradually thickens.
- Carefully nestle the seared chicken back into the skillet, gently spooning the creamy sauce over each piece to ensure complete coverage.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and allow the chicken to simmer for 15-20 minutes, guaranteeing it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and absorbs the rich, savory flavors.
- Once fully cooked, plate the chicken and generously ladle the decadent sauce over the top, creating an irresistible presentation perfect for serving alongside your preferred accompaniments.
Notes
- Swap chicken breasts for thighs for extra moisture and richer flavor if you prefer more tender meat.
- Keep chicken tender by avoiding overcooking; use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F without drying out the meat.
- Reduce calories by substituting heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for a lighter sauce while maintaining creamy texture.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary during the sautéing process for deeper aromatic notes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 375 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg