Description
This Smothered Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and smothered in a rich, creamy gravy made with onions, bell peppers, garlic, and a hint of paprika. Perfect for a comforting Southern-style meal, it’s easy to prepare on the stovetop and pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
For Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Vegetables and Gravy
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for gravy)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Season and Coat Chicken: In a bowl, season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Dredge each piece lightly in 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess to ensure a thin, even coating.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until they develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the thinly sliced onion and green bell pepper. Sauté the vegetables over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes until they soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make the Gravy: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour over the softened vegetables and stir well to coat. Slowly pour in the 2 cups of low-sodium chicken broth while stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Stir in the heavy cream and paprika, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the gravy thickens.
- Simmer Chicken in Gravy: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamy gravy over the top. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and simmer for about 10 minutes to let the flavors meld and the chicken stay tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat, garnish the dish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately paired with your favorite side such as mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.
Notes
- For richer flavor, substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the breasts.
- This dish pairs excellently with mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles for a hearty meal.
- Add mushrooms or swap bell peppers with other vegetables like poblano or red peppers for variation.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with gravy
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
