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Smothered Chicken Recipe A Soul Food

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This Smothered Chicken recipe will give you the juiciest, most tender pan-fried chicken with an incredibly rich and flavorful gravy. Southern-Style Smothered Chicken is probably one of the most delicious comfort foods.

I fell in love with Soul Food years back, and the introduction of smothered chicken was a pleasant surprise. I wasted no time sharing it with my close friends.

This recipe will give you perfectly seasoned chicken with a rich, smooth gravy full of authentic Soul Food flavors.

Why You’ll Love Smothered Chicken Recipe

  • Easy: It’s straightforward to make and doesn’t require planning!
  • Simple Ingredients, Bold Flavors: This dish packs a punch for flavor but only requires pantry-staple ingredients.
  • Juicy and tender: Many recipes I’ve tried over the years gave me dry chicken that just wasn’t what Smothered Chicken is supposed to be, but this recipe will provide you with a juicy, tender chicken every single time.
  • Irresistible Gravy: Don’t underestimate the simple ingredients this recipe calls for. Our homemade chicken gravy strikes the perfect balance between perfect seasoning and sweetness from the caramelized onions!
Smothered chicken recipe. Chicken in gravy in a heavy black pan.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken: I recommend combining chicken with bones and boneless chicken thighs for the perfect flavor and moistness.

Oil: We’ll use olive oil to get the perfect sear on the chicken, giving it incredible texture and flavor.

Onion: Southern smothered chicken is incomplete without the onion gravy.

Chicken bouillon: You can go with chicken bouillon or low-sodium chicken broth in this recipe. It’ll give the dish a more robust chicken flavor.

Flour: We’ll mix all-purpose flour with classic seasonings to coat the chicken perfectly for that Smothered Chicken effect.

Seasonings: We’ll use onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, all-spice, cinnamon, ginger powder, and one teaspoon of pepper.

How to Make the Best Smothered Chicken

Step 1

Prepare the seasoning: Start by mixing the flour and all the seasonings together. Take three tablespoons from this mix and set it aside.

Mixing flour with seasoning.

Step 2

Prepare the chicken: Now dredge the washed chicken with the remaining flour mixture and tap off the excess flour.

Dredging chicken in flour to make the smothered chicken recipe.

Step 3

Pan fry the chicken: Heat the oil on medium-high heat in a pan and add the chicken. When the bottom of the chicken turns golden, flip to the other side and cook until it turns golden as well.

Frying chicken until golden.

Step 4

Remove the chicken from the oil when both sides are golden. We’ll complete the cooking process in our onion gravy.

Removing chicken from the pan.

Step 5

Next, keep around 4 tablespoons of oil in the pan, add the chopped onion, and fry until they turn light brown in color.

Frying onion in hot oil.

Step 6

Caramelize the onion: Add the three tablespoons of seasoned flour we separated earlier to the onion and stir for at least two minutes on medium heat.

Frying flour with onion.

Step 7

Prepare the gravy: Pour the cold water over the onion and flour mixture in one go and keep stirring. Next, add the chicken bouillon and continue stirring.

Pouring cold water to onion and flour.
Adding chicken bouillon to sauce.

Step 8

Pour in the milk and stir until the mixture boil. Reduce the heat until it simmers, then add the chicken to the sauce.

Pouring milk to the sauce.

Step 9

Cover the pan and let the chicken cook for 20 – 25 minutes or until completely cooked. Stir occasionally.

Adding chicken to the sauce to cook.

How to Serve Smothered Chicken

  • Serve this Southern comfort food over a bed of fluffy white rice and garnish with green onions for added color and flavor. Add a side of steamed vegetables like broccoli or asparagus for a complete meal.
  • Pair smothered chicken with creamy mashed potatoes and roasted carrots for a classic southern-style meal.
  • Serve the smothered chicken with some fluffy homemade Southern biscuits.
  • Serve the smothered chicken over a homemade mac and cheese bed for the ultimate comfort meal.
Close up image of smothered chicken in gravy.

💬 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

What makes a dish smothered?

‘Smothered’ means to brown the meat with some oil and then simmer it in a small amount of water to make a delicious, brown gravy.

How do I make sure the chicken is fully cooked?

To ensure the chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer and ensure that it reads an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the chicken.

Can I use chicken breasts?

Yes, sear the chicken breast, and do not overcook it. This way, it will not dry out when later cooked in the gravy.

Can I use heavy cream instead of milk?

Of course, the chicken with gravy will be richer and thicker.

Can I use a gravy mix? 

Yes, but make sure it is of a good quality and not have an aftertaste. However, making homemade gravy is what makes Soul Food exceptional.

PRO TIPS

  • It is best to brine the chicken if it is large.
  • Cut the onion into thin slices, it will caramelize faster.
  • When using chicken breast, it is better not to cut it into cubes, as it will dry quickly.
  • Adding cold liquids like water or milk to the flour in the pan while whisking will prevent it from forming lumps.
  • Keep the heat on medium when cooking the chicken in the gravy. Increasing the heat will dry the gravy and the chicken will overcook.
  • Nothing beats smothered chicken with gravy served with creamy mashed potato, so follow my recipe for mashed potatoes to enjoy the ultimate dinner.

VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

  • Add carrots – When frying the onion add finely chopped carrots.
  • Potato cubes – You can add small cubes of potatoes but do not add more than 1/3 cup since potatoes tend to absorb the flavors in gravies.
  • Use half and half – Instead of milk for a richer gravy; you can use half and half.
  • Whole chicken breast – It’s better not to cut the chicken breast into cubes.
  • Use lactose-free milk or soy milk if you are allergic to dairy.
  • Leave the dairy out completely – The gravy tastes amazing, even if you omit the dairy.

Read the comments below for more ideas from my readers, who have added mushrooms and other ingredients to make it their own!

Freshly prepared chicken in silky gravy. Chicken with gravy.

📣 MORE SOUTHERN COMFORT FOOD

How to Store Smothered Chicken

  • Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for three to four days.
  • Freezing leftovers with creamy or dairy-based sauces or gravies is not recommended.
  • Reheat the Smothered Chicken on the stovetop or microwave.

⭐ PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW

If you have tried my Smothered Chicken Recipe and liked it, please give it a 5-star rating and leave a comment below with your experience!

Smothered Chicken Gravy feature image 2023.

Smothered Chicken A Soul Food

This Smothered Chicken recipe has authentic flavors that you won't forget! It's a delicious weeknight dinner that will cheer up the whole family.
4.40 from 128 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Meal
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Smothered Chicken
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 550kcal
Author: Muna Kenny

Ingredients

  • 3 chicken legs and 3 chicken thighs with skin
  • ½ cup oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 1 chicken bouillon
  • 2 ½ cup cold water
  • ½ cup milk
  • 3 tablespoon of the seasoned flour mentioned below

SEASONING THE FLOUR:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
  • ½ teaspoon all spice powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • ¼ teaspoon heaped ginger powder
Get the Conversion Chart

Instructions

  • Mix all the flour seasoning together, take three tablespoon from this mix and keep aside.
  • Wash the chicken and pat dry. Dredge the chicken in the seasoned flour and keep aside.
  • In a pan, heat the oil and add the chicken. When the bottom of the chicken turns golden flip to the other side and cook until golden.
  • Remove the chicken from the oil when both sides are golden. At this point, the chicken is not completely cooked.
  • Keep around 4 tablespoon of oil in the pan, add the chopped onion and fry until light brown.
  • Add three tablespoon seasoned flour to the onion and stir for at least two minutes on medium heat.
  • Pour the cold water over the onion and flour mixture in one go and keep on stirring. Add the chicken bouillon and continue stirring.
  • Now add the milk and stir until the mixture comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the chicken to the sauce.
  • Cover the pan and let the chicken cook for 20 – 25 minutes or until completely cooked. Stir occasionally.
  • Serve with rice or mashed potato.

Video

Notes

  • It is best to brine the chicken if it is large.
  • Cut the onion into thin slices, it will caramelize faster.
  • When using chicken breast, it is better not to cut it into cubes, as it will dry quickly.
  • Adding cold liquid like water or milk to the flour in the pan while whisking, will prevent it from forming lumps.
  • Keep the heat on medium when cooking the chicken in the gravy. Increasing the heat will dry the gravy and the chicken will overcook.
  • Nothing beats smothered chicken with gravy served with creamy mashed potato, so make sure to follow my recipe for mashed potatoes to enjoy the ultimate dinner.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 550kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 25g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 1028mg | Potassium: 324mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 381IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 2mg
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91 Comments

    1. LOL! You are so sweet Maureen and I think I heard the Smothered Chicken calling you too 😉

  1. Oh my goodness I definitely know what I’m making for dinner tonight. This looks so good I wish I could eat right off of the screen.

    1. OMG, I made this for dinner tonight and my family cleaned their plates. I’m keeping this recipe. thank you for sharing this amazing meal.

  2. Well, now I’m SUPER hungry! Everything you’ve shown here is so amazing looking. I will be starting with that smothered chicken for sure!

  3. Yum, this chicken looks amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever had anything like this but you have my mouth watering now. Might have to try making it soon.

  4. I’m drooling over that chicken – yum! I’ve been cooking chicken at least twice a week lately and this is going on the menu!

  5. I’ve made this recipe for my family and now their hooked, absolutely delicious.

    1. Thanks for letting me know, I love when people like my recipe hope you enjoy making more recipes from my blog 🙂

  6. 5 stars
    I made this tonight. At first I was a little skeptical about some of the spices as I am a southern girl and typically cinnamon, allspice, and ginger aren’t in chicken gravy or fried chicken! I went ahead made it exactly by directions with two exceptions. I used boneless skinless breasts (cause that was what I had on hand) and I added mushrooms. I cooked the mushrooms with the onions. It was absolutely amazing! Thank you for sharing this recipe and expanding my palate. 🙂

    1. Thank you Erica, I love the changes you made and I can’t wait to try the recipe your way 🙂

  7. 5 stars
    Made this recipe tonight as directed( well I used wings instead) and it was absolutely delicious..
    Thanks

  8. This smothered chicken sounds delicious. I like the seasoning that you added. I think that I need to try this. Thank you for sharing at Sugar and Spice Link Party.

  9. This dish has me drooling! It looks delicious. I’ll be Pinning this post, I can’t wait to make this dish. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best.

  10. What a great recipe! The chicken sounds amazing, and I can’t wait to give this tasty sounding recipe a try! Thanks so much for sharing on Celebrate It! Your recipe is one of the featured links from last week. Hope to see you at the party again! We open at 7pm tonight!

  11. This looks delicious! I’ve been looking for new chicken recipes so I’m glad I came across this post.

  12. 5 stars
    I thought it was kinda of weird with those spices but once I tasted the gravy. WOW. I’m cooking this on a Saturday (10/6/18)night for our Sunday after church meal. I’m going to enjoy this chicken. Thanks for the recipe.

  13. 5 stars
    I cooked for my family tonight and it was delicious. I was nervous about the allspice and cinnamon but wow the flavor! Thank you for this recipe! Saving for another time…

    1. Thank you so much for the feedback and I’m happy that you gave my recipe a try 🙂

  14. 5 stars
    This is good and easy.. it was my first time making this. It will be made alot.. thank you for this recipe!

  15. 5 stars
    Oh my goodness this is so good,the spices compliment each other will be making more often so quock and easy..

    1. Hi Mona, thanks for trying this recipe, and I hope you give my other recipes a try 🙂

  16. This recipe looks so good! I have to pin this to try for Sunday dinner. Thanks for sharing, I think I’ll be using this gravy in a few dishes lol

  17. 5 stars
    That looks absolutely delicious. I love creamy chicken dishes like this. They’re so satisfying. I can’t wait to make it.

    1. Smothered chicken is awesome for dinner and parties, you can’t go wrong with this recipe!

  18. This recipe looks really good and tasty, to be honest seeing this makes me so hungry. I will try this, thank you!

  19. 5 stars
    Everything you served looks delicious that I could almost taste each dish from the photos. Invite me for lunch sometime. Haha

  20. 5 stars
    You had me with the spices in this dish. I made this for dinner last night going exactly by the recipe except I used 8 chicken thighs. My husband and I loved it and served the chicken and gravy with whipped Yukon Gold mashed potatoes. Fabulous. Thank you!

  21. 5 stars
    This was a great dinner and I have served it with mashed potato. I will make it again, thank you 🙂

  22. Recipe looks good, but there is no reason to ever wash raw chicken. It does nothing but spread salmonella around your kitchen.

  23. 5 stars
    Made this twice and was thoroughly enjoyed. The 2nd time I added fresh sliced mushrooms and sweated them with the onion. I also liked a thicker gravy so added a bit more flour when making the gravy. Served over rice and mustard greens made the plate look nice. Thank you for bringing a bit of the south to Arizona.

  24. 5 stars
    Made This Tonight & It Was So Easy & Delicious. My Man Wants Me To Make It Again But With Jerk Seasoning, How Would You Recommend I Incorporate It? Dry Or Wet Seasoning? & Should I Put In On The Chicken Or In The Gravy?

    1. Thanks for your feedback 😊. If you want to use Jerk seasoning, I recommend that you go for the dry seasoning and season the chicken with it. I hope this helped.

4.40 from 128 votes (106 ratings without comment)

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