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Plate of Southern smothered chicken topped with gravy and bacon bits, served with mashed potatoes
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5 from 1 vote

Southern Smothered Chicken

Southern Smothered Chicken is a dish that promises love at first bite! This creamy, savory delight combines juicy, tender chicken with a rich gravy that’s comforting and satisfying.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: Southern
Keyword: Comfort Food, Easy
Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

Ingredients for Southern Smothered Chicken

  • 4 slices Bacon Cooked until crispy
  • 4 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup All-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 2-3 tablespoons Butter For cooking
  • 1.5 cups Whole milk
  • 1.5 cups Chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 0.5 tablespoon Fresh chopped parsley or thyme For garnish

Instructions

  • Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove it from the pan, crumble it, and set aside, leaving the fat in the skillet for flavor.
  • Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, ginger, and cinnamon. Dredge the seasoned chicken in flour, shaking off any excess.
  • Brown the Chicken: In the same skillet with bacon fat, add 1-2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the chicken breasts and sear them for about 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  • Make the Sauce: To the same skillet, melt another tablespoon of butter. Whisk in the remaining flour and cook for about a minute. Gradually add the milk and chicken broth, stirring until smooth and thickened.
  • Combine and Simmer: Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the gravy over each piece. Reduce heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
  • Garnish and Serve: Before serving, sprinkle crumbled bacon and fresh parsley or thyme over the chicken. Enjoy!

Notes

This dish pairs perfectly with fluffy mashed potatoes, buttery cornbread, fresh green beans, or collard greens. Sweet tea or a light white wine complements the meal beautifully.