Smothered chicken!

Southern Smothered Chicken Recipe

🍗 Ingredients:

For the chicken:

• 4–6 bone-in chicken thighs, drumsticks or wings (like in the photo).
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ teaspoon of paprika
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 cup of all-purpose flour for dredging.
• ½ cup vegetable oil (for frying)

For the gravy:

• ½ a medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• ¼ cup of flour (use the seasoned flour left over from dredging).
• 2 ½ cups of chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste).
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon of thyme (optional).
• Optional: a splash of heavy cream for a creamier gravy.

🧑🍳 Instructions:

1. Season the chicken:

• In a large bowl, mix together salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and cayenne pepper, then season the chicken.
• Leave to stand for at least 30 minutes (or refrigerate overnight for more flavour).

2. Dredge and fry:

• Dredge each piece in flour and shake off the excess.
• Heat oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the chicken pieces until they are golden brown on both sides (they do not need to be fully cooked).
• Remove them from the pan and set them aside on a plate.

3. Make the gravy:

• Leave about ¼ cup of oil in the same skillet and stir in the chopped onions. Cook until soft (about 3–4 minutes).
• Add the garlic and cook for a further 30 seconds.
• Stir in the remaining flour from the dredging and whisk continuously until golden brown (this is your roux).
• Gradually whisk in the chicken broth to avoid lumps. Let it simmer and thicken for about 5–7 minutes. Season to taste and add cream, if desired.

4. Smother the chicken:

• Return the browned chicken to the pan. Cover with gravy.
• Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan and simmer for 35–45 minutes, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

🍽 Serving suggestions (as shown in the photo):

• White rice (to soak up the gravy).
• Baked mac & cheese
• Collard greens with smoked turkey or ham hock.
• Black-eyed peas
• Sweet cornbread

ENJOY!