Smothered Chicken is an easy one-pan dish with juicy fried chicken breasts covered in creamy homemade gravy for the ultimate comfort meal.
If you like Smothered Pork Chops, this is the perfect chicken version of the simple Weeknight Meal.
Why You’ll Love This Smothered Chicken?
- An easy one-pan comfort food dinner made with simple ingredients that’s perfect for cozy family meals or busy weeknights.
- Caramelized onions, garlic, and fresh thyme create a flavorful homemade gravy that’s perfect for spooning over chicken and mashed potatoes.
Sabrina’s Smothered Chicken Recipe
Smothered Chicken is the epitome of comfort food and an easy meal you’ll find yourself coming back to over and over again. Inspired by smothered pork chops, the poultry is fried to crispy perfection, and served in a flavorful and rich gravy. Make this on the stovetop in less than an hour, and enjoy with classic sides like Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Green Beans, or Sautéed Garlic Kale for a complete meal.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
Chicken Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts , boneless and skinless
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Sauce Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 yellow onion , sliced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Using a kitchen mallet, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. If your chicken breasts are very large, butterfly them before dredging and searing.
- Season the chicken with the salt, celery seed, paprika and black pepper.
- Add the vegetable oil to a cast iron skillet on medium high heat, searing on both sides until browned, about 8 minutes on each side, until the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and add in the butter and onions, cooking well until caramelized, about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add in the garlic and thyme stirring for 1 minute until fragrant, then add in the flour and stir until it is fully absorbed before adding the chicken broth and heavy cream. Whisk well.
- Add the chicken back into the pan, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and reduced by half.
- Garnish with parsley and serve with mashed potatoes and green vegetables like broccoli or peas or green beans.
Nutrition
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Chef’s Note
There are a few steps to take to keep the chicken from drying out. First, pound the chicken into even thickness so that all parts of the breast cook evenly, and season with salt on all sides. Next, heat the oil before adding the chicken to the pan. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, and don’t cook past 165 degrees F.
Table of contents
Can this be made ahead of time?
To prep this recipe in advance, cook the chicken ahead of time, then prepare the sauce and add the premade chicken on the day you plan to serve. Or make the whole recipe in advance, and store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days before reheating on the stovetop.
How to Store
- Store: To keep fresh, don’t leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Seal cooled chicken in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: To serve leftovers, add the chicken and gravy to a skillet over medium heat and cook until warmed through.
- Freeze: For a longer storage option, store in a freezer bag or another freezer-safe container. It can stay good frozen for up to 3 months.
reeze: For a longer storage option, store in a freezer bag or another freezer-safe container. It can stay good frozen for up to 3 months.
Air Fryer Method
Instead of frying on the stovetop, prepare your chicken breasts in the air fryer.
- To start, prep and season the meat as usual, and preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F.
- Coat your air fryer basket in a light layer of oil, and add the poultry in a single layer.
- Air fry for 6 minutes per side.
- Prep the sauce on the stovetop according to the recipe instructions and add the air-fried chicken to finish.
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