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–+ servings
Best Smothered Chicken and Rice

Best Smothered Chicken and Rice That Will Warm Your Soul

Enjoy the Best Smothered Chicken and Rice, a comforting Southern dish that combines juicy chicken thighs with rich gravy served over fluffy rice.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Southern
Calories: 600
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 4 pieces Chicken Thighs Bone-in, skin-on preferred
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Black Pepper Adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika Regular or smoked
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
For the Gravy
  • 2 tablespoons Flour or gluten-free flour
  • 2 tablespoons Butter or olive oil
  • 1 medium Onion Chopped
  • 2 cloves Minced Garlic
  • 2 cups Chicken Broth homemade or store-bought
  • ½ cup Heavy Cream or milk/half-and-half
For the Rice
  • 2 cups White Rice Long-grain or jasmine
For Garnishing
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley Optional

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Dutch oven
  • Pot

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, then dredge in flour.
  2. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat, add chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes before removing from the pan.
  3. Add chopped onions to the pan and sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  4. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour into the onion and garlic mixture, stirring to form a roux. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
  5. Stir in ½ cup of heavy cream and return the seared chicken to the pan. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes until the chicken reaches 175°F.
  6. Cook the white rice according to package instructions in a separate pot.
  7. Serve the rice with chicken on top, ladling gravy over it. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1plateCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 30gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Perfect to pair with a light salad or steamed green beans for a well-rounded meal. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

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