Description
This Smothered Chicken recipe is a comforting and flavorful dish that features tender, juicy chicken thighs cooked in a rich and creamy gravy. It’s a perfect meal for a cozy night in and easy to prepare with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon mild chili powder
- 6 large bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place a wire rack on a baking sheet.
- Make Spice Rub: In a small bowl, combine paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and chili powder.
- Season Chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry. Season generously with ¾ of the spice rub. Place on the prepared rack.
- Dredge Chicken: In a shallow dish, combine flour, remaining spice rub, salt, and pepper. Dredge chicken thighs in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Place back on the rack.
- Sear Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs until browned on both sides. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add butter and onion to the skillet. Cook until softened. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook until fragrant.
- Make Gravy: Sprinkle reserved flour mixture over the onions and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in chicken broth until smooth. Bring to a simmer, then whisk in heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Braise in Oven: Add chicken to the skillet and spoon some gravy over the top. Cover and bake for 1 hour.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve over mashed potatoes or rice.
Notes
- Crispy Skin: Patting chicken dry helps achieve crispy skin.
- Gravy: Allow flour to cook for a couple of minutes to remove the raw taste.
- Thickness: Adjust gravy thickness with more flour if needed.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days or freeze for 4-6 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 500kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
