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Southern Smothered Chicken with Creamy Gravy

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Southern Smothered Chicken with Creamy Gravy is a comforting and flavorful dish that brings the best of Southern cuisine to your table. Tender, juicy chicken is pan-fried to golden perfection and then smothered in a rich, creamy gravy made with savory drippings and a medley of spices. This dish pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, rice, or a side of cornbread, making it a filling and satisfying meal. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or impressing guests at a gathering, this Southern classic is sure to be a hit.

Ingredients

Scale

Gather these ingredients to make Southern Smothered Chicken with Creamy Gravy:

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:

  1. Season the Flour: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir to evenly distribute the spices.
  2. Coat the Chicken: Dredge each piece of chicken in the seasoned flour, making sure to coat it evenly. Shake off any excess flour.
  3. Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.

Fry the Chicken:

  1. Fry the Chicken: Carefully add the chicken to the hot oil, skin-side down. Fry for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.

Make the Gravy:

  1. Sauté the Drippings: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter and let it melt in the pan, stirring the drippings left behind from frying the chicken.
  2. Add the Broth: Gradually pour in the chicken broth, stirring to combine with the drippings. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes to allow the broth to reduce slightly.
  3. Add the Cream: Stir in the heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce. Let the gravy simmer for an additional 5-6 minutes, or until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
  4. Season the Gravy: Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Smother the Chicken:

  1. Return the Chicken to the Skillet: Place the fried chicken back into the skillet, skin-side up, and spoon the gravy over the chicken. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the chicken simmer in the gravy for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
  2. Garnish and Serve: Once the chicken is smothered in gravy, garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve with your favorite sides.

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