Smothered Chicken

Updated Aug. 22, 2024

Smothered Chicken
Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini.
Total Time
1 hour
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
45 minutes
Rating
4(896)
Comments
Read comments

This easy, beloved one-pan meal is true Southern comfort food. Though smothered chicken often includes bacon, celery or bell pepper, this recipe strips it to its essence, relying more upon onion and scallions. The classic cooking technique of smothering has its roots in West African, French and Creole culinary traditions and, at its core, is a simple stovetop braise. Serve this dish with steamed rice or mashed potatoes, plus a side of collard greens or green beans.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • ¾cup all-purpose flour
  • 1tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1tablespoon onion powder
  • 2teaspoons sweet paprika
  • 1teaspoon ground cayenne
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1½ to 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and legs (about 2 of each)
  • 2tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 4tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1bunch scallions, thinly sliced
  • 3garlic cloves, minced
  • 2cups chicken stock
  • Steamed rice or mashed potatoes, to serve
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

776 calories; 54 grams fat; 17 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 23 grams monounsaturated fat; 9 grams polyunsaturated fat; 33 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 4 grams sugars; 40 grams protein; 996 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne and 2 teaspoons salt together in a shallow bowl. Reserve ¼ cup of the seasoned flour, then coat the chicken in the remaining flour mixture.

  2. Step 2

    Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the seasoned chicken and cook, turning as needed, until browned all over, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

  3. Step 3

    Melt the butter in the skillet, then add the onion and ¾ of the scallions. Season with salt, then cook until soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook 2 minutes more, then stir in the reserved ¼ cup of seasoned flour and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in the chicken stock until smooth, then season with salt and pepper.

  4. Step 4

    Nestle the reserved chicken into the gravy and cover. Reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes.

  5. Step 5

    Sprinkle with the remaining scallions and serve with steamed rice or mashed potatoes.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
896 user ratings
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Comments

Boneless chicken breast will lack the flavor and texture in the sauce that bone-in dark meat provides. You might also adjust how long you cook it- breast can either be cooked quick to retain moisture and texture or longer in order to soften it up after the juices are cooked out. In any case, it will be a different dish.

Will make this with 4 ounces of sautéed sliced mushrooms for added taste and texture. Add with chicken broth.

Do all these "is this helpful?" thumbs up mean yes??

Underwhelming and definitely needs more time to cook than the recipe says

This dish is a fantastic base! I have swapped out shallot for the onion but the onion is great too! I also recommend deglazing with wine when you’re done with your roux and also adding a squeeze of lemon at the end! Also sometime I have to remove the chicken to thicken the sauce a bit at the end. Highly recommend over mashed potatoes!

The flour/spice mixture is also great on pork chops, sliced chicken breast to make Chicken Parmesan etc. I prefry chicken breast slices that have been coated with the flour mixture, wrap individually in plastic wrap and freeze. If I need something quick, I just add some toppings such as tomato sauce and cheese or sautéed mushrooms and bake

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