Spicy Southern Chicken & Gravy
A comforting dish of tender chicken smothered in rich, homemade gravy with a hint of Southern spice.
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
- Skillet
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Chicken
- 3 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Spices
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning plus extra to taste
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- to taste Salt & black pepper
Cooking Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil divided
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup yellow onion thinly sliced
- 2 pieces bell peppers sliced (any color)
- 1 stalk celery diced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and drizzle with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Generously season both sides of each chicken breast with Cajun seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining teaspoon of olive oil, then place the chicken breasts in the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until the chicken is nicely golden and fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C). Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet, followed by the sliced onions, bell peppers, and diced celery. Sauté the vegetables, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes or until they are soft and lightly caramelized.
- Sprinkle the flour evenly over the sautéed veggies. Stir well to coat the vegetables and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning the flour.
- Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, a little at a time, while stirring to prevent lumps. Add the chicken bouillon powder and an extra sprinkle of Cajun seasoning (if you want more spice). Continue whisking until the gravy is smooth and thickened, about 2-4 minutes.
- Shred or chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, then add them back into the skillet with the gravy. Let everything simmer together for a couple of minutes, until heated through and the gravy has thickened to your liking.
- Spoon the saucy, spiced chicken and gravy over fluffy white rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or fresh-from-the-oven biscuits. Garnish with more Cajun seasoning or chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
For extra tenderness, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before seasoning and cooking. You can swap Cajun seasoning for Creole seasoning if you want a mellower, herby flavor.