Southern Style Smothered Chicken
Ingredients:
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or breasts)
1 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
Salt and pepper (to taste)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
1 medium onion (sliced)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream (or milk)
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried oregano
1 bay leaf
Fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions:
Prepare the chicken:
Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Dredge each piece in flour, shaking off the excess.
Fry the chicken:
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, skin-side down, and fry until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
Sauté the onions and garlic:
In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently.
Make the sauce:
Slowly pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream, thyme, oregano, bay leaf, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer the chicken:
Return the fried chicken to the skillet, skin-side up. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Serve:
Remove the bay leaf before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve the smothered chicken over rice, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
This Southern Style Smothered Chicken is hearty, comforting, and packed with flavor—perfect for a family dinner! Enjoy!