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Best Smothered Chicken and Rice Recipe for a Cozy Dinner

Best Smothered Chicken and Rice Recipe for a Cozy Dinner

This Smothered Chicken and Rice is the ultimate comfort food, featuring juicy, seasoned chicken simmered in a creamy, savory gravy, served over fluffy rice. It’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect for a cozy dinner!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American, southern
Servings 5

Equipment

  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Medium saucepan (for rice)
  • Whisk

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken:

  • 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (or boneless, skinless if preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Gravy:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream or whole milk for a lighter option
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat

For the Rice:

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth or water
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Garnish (Optional):

  • Fresh parsley chopped
  • Extra black pepper

Instructions
 

Cook the Rice:

  • In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth (or water), salt, and butter to a boil.
  • Stir in rice, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Prepare the Chicken:

  • Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel.
  • Season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  • Sear chicken skin-side down for 4-5 minutes, until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 4 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Make the Gravy:

  • In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
  • Add chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes until soft.
  • Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Sprinkle in flour, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
  • Gradually pour in chicken broth, whisking until smooth.
  • Stir in heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and cayenne pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.

Smother the Chicken:

  • Return seared chicken to the skillet, skin-side up.
  • Cover and simmer over low heat for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is tender and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
  • Serve & Enjoy!
  • Spoon chicken and gravy over warm rice.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley and black pepper.

Notes

  • Make it lighter: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
  • Spicy twist: Add 1 teaspoon hot sauce to the gravy.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Best sides: Pair with steamed veggies, cornbread, or a side salad.
Keyword comfort food, creamy chicken, rice and gravy, smothered chicken
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