Creamy Southern Smothered Chicken: A Heartwarming Recipe

Southern kitchens buzz with warmth when creamy southern smothered chicken arrives on the table, bringing generations of culinary tradition to life.

Rich, velvety sauces coat tender chicken pieces that melt in your mouth.

The aroma of perfectly seasoned meat fills the kitchen with nostalgic memories.

Generations have perfected this soulful dish, passing down secrets from one cook to another.

Herbs and spices dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that speak directly to the heart.

This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious meal that connects you to the deep roots of southern cooking.

One bite promises to transport you to a welcoming family dinner where love is served alongside every delicious spoonful.

Storing Smothered Chicken Leftovers

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the sauce covers the chicken to maintain moisture and prevent drying.
• Transfer cooled chicken and sauce to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Seal tightly, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Place chicken and sauce in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated thoroughly.

FAQs

• Why should I marinate the chicken beforehand?

Marinating helps infuse flavor deep into the meat, making it more tender and delicious. The blend of Lawry’s seasoning salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika creates a rich, savory base that enhances the overall taste of the dish.

• Can I use a different type of chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use chicken thighs, drumsticks, or a whole cut-up chicken instead of chicken breasts. Each cut will work well with the creamy sauce, but cooking times might slightly vary depending on the piece size.

• What if I don't have Lawry's seasoning salt?

You can substitute with a blend of salt, paprika, garlic powder, and a touch of dried herbs. The key is to create a balanced seasoning that adds depth to the chicken’s flavor profile.

Why Smothered Chicken Comforts

• Reasons to Love This Dish
• Perfect for home cooks wanting to elevate their cooking game with a restaurant-quality Southern recipe that looks impressive but doesn't require professional training.
• Delivers rich, creamy sauce and perfectly seasoned chicken that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds, making it ideal for family dinners or weekend gatherings.
• Minimizes kitchen cleanup with a single skillet method, allowing you to create a delicious meal without creating a mountain of dishes, saving precious time and energy.
• Easily adaptable to personal preferences by switching side dishes or adjusting seasoning levels, ensuring this recipe becomes a flexible staple in your cooking repertoire.

Smothered Chicken Ingredient Lineup

• Chicken: A tender and flavorful protein that serves as the star of this classic Southern dish.

• Lawry's Seasoning Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika: A robust mix of spices that adds depth and complexity to the chicken's flavor profile.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Provide rich flavor and help create a smooth, luxurious sauce.
• Onions, Garlic: Offer a aromatic foundation that builds layers of savory taste in the dish.

• Chicken Stock or Broth: Creates the foundation for a silky, flavorful sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and creates a smooth, creamy texture to the sauce.

• Flour: Helps to create a thick, velvety sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.

• Thyme Sprigs: Introduces a subtle, earthy herb note that complements the rich sauce.

• Flour, Water: Provides an additional method to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.

Tools for Smothered Chicken Prep

• Large skillet or pot: Deep cooking vessel for browning chicken and making sauce.
• Mixing bowl: Used for marinating chicken with seasonings.
• Ziplock bag: Helps marinate chicken evenly in the refrigerator.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring sauce and combining ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning measurements.
• Cutting board: Helps chop onions and prepare ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Needed for chopping onions and garlic.
• Measuring cups: Helps measure chicken stock and cream precisely.

Steps for Creamy Smothered Chicken

Step 1: Prep And Marinate The Chicken

Mix cleaned chicken with Lawry’s seasoning salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika in a large bowl.

Transfer to a sealed ziplock bag and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours.

Let chicken rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking.

Step 2: Sizzle And Brown The Chicken

Warm olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat.

Gently place marinated chicken and cook until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.

Transfer chicken to a separate plate.

Step 3: Create A Flavor-Packed Sauce Base

• Chopped onions
• Garlic

Saute until onions turn golden and caramelized, approximately 8-10 minutes.

Step 4: Thicken The Sauce

Sprinkle flour into the onion-garlic mixture, stirring to combine thoroughly.

Pour in chicken stock, whisking continuously until sauce becomes smooth and thickens.

Step 5: Enrich With Creamy Goodness

• Heavy cream
• Thyme sprigs
• Remaining Lawry's seasoning salt

Simmer until sauce reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency.

Step 6: Reunite Chicken With Sauce

Return seared chicken to the skillet, coating each piece generously.

Simmer for 10-15 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and gravy transforms into a rich, decadent texture.

Step 7: Plate And Enjoy

Remove from heat and serve alongside fluffy basmati rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or fresh vegetables.

Smothered Chicken Cooking Tips

• Marinate chicken overnight for deeper, more intense taste that penetrates every bite.
• Whisk flour slowly into the skillet, stirring constantly to create a smooth, lump-free gravy base.
• Keep a small bowl of flour-water mixture ready to adjust sauce consistency if it becomes too thin or thick during cooking.
• Use a heavy-bottomed cast iron or stainless steel skillet to ensure even heat distribution and perfect browning of chicken.
• Crush dried thyme between fingers before adding to release more aromatic oils and boost overall flavor profile.

Twists on Smothered Chicken

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk for a lactose-free version. Use olive oil instead of butter to maintain the creamy texture while keeping it dairy-free.
• Keto-Friendly Option: Swap out regular flour with almond flour or coconut flour. Use bone broth instead of chicken stock to increase fat content and reduce carbohydrates. Serve with cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
• Spicy Southern Kick: Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix. Incorporate diced jalapeños into the sauce for an extra heat level. Mix in a splash of hot sauce during the final simmering stage to elevate the spice profile.

Serving Smothered Chicken Ideas

• Rustic Farmhouse Plating: Arrange the chicken on a large wooden cutting board, letting the creamy sauce cascade over the meat, creating an inviting rustic presentation that feels like a homestyle Southern dinner.
• Herb Garden Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or thyme leaves on top of the chicken, adding a bright green pop of color and a subtle herbal fragrance that complements the rich, creamy sauce.
• Comfort Side Symphony: Pair the smothered chicken with creamy mashed potatoes, buttery green beans, or soft white rice to soak up the luxurious gravy, creating a complete and satisfying meal that feels like a warm culinary hug.
• Spice Level Customization: Offer hot sauce or red pepper flakes on the side, allowing each person to adjust the heat and add a personal touch to this classic Southern comfort dish.

Creamy Southern Smothered Chicken – A Comforting Classic Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty southern smothered chicken brings soulful flavors from traditional Southern kitchens. Richly seasoned chicken simmered in a creamy gravy offers home cooks a delicious comfort meal that satisfies deeply.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 3–4 pounds organic chicken, skin removed (drumsticks and thigh pieces)

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons Lawry’s seasoning salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 cup organic all-purpose flour

Cooking Liquids and Aromatics:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs
• 2 cups organic chicken stock or bone broth
• 1 cup organic heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken by coating it with Lawry’s seasoning salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Seal in a ziplock bag and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight. Allow to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes before cooking.
2. Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat (375°F). Sear the marinated chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer chicken to a plate.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter and caramelize onions until deeply golden, approximately 8-10 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Incorporate flour into the onion-garlic mixture, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Gradually pour in chicken stock, whisking until the sauce smoothly thickens within 2-3 minutes.
5. Lower heat to medium-low. Blend in heavy cream, fresh thyme sprigs, and remaining Lawry’s seasoning salt. Simmer until the sauce becomes velvety and slightly reduced.
6. Reintroduce seared chicken to the skillet, ensuring each piece is generously coated with the creamy sauce. Continue simmering for 10-15 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and sauce reaches a rich, luxurious consistency.
7. If sauce needs additional thickening, whisk a small amount of flour with water and gently incorporate. Remove from heat and serve alongside rice, mashed potatoes, or seasonal vegetables.

Notes

• Perfectly season chicken by allowing it to marinate overnight, which helps develop deep, rich flavors that penetrate the meat thoroughly.
• Control cooking temperature carefully to prevent burning while ensuring a golden-brown exterior that seals in juicy chicken tenderness.
• Customize sauce thickness by gradually adding flour-water mixture, watching consistency develop slowly for a smooth, velvety gravy without lumps.
• Adapt recipe for dietary needs by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk for dairy-free version or using gluten-free flour for low-carb alternative.

• Prep Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg