Description
A comforting Southern classic, this Smothered Chicken and Rice recipe is packed with juicy chicken, savory gravy, and fluffy rice. Perfect for family dinners or weekend meals!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs (or 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers, diced
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients : Gather all ingredients and chop vegetables into small pieces.
- Sear Chicken : Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear until golden brown on both sides. Remove and set aside.
- Create Gravy Base : In the same pan, sauté onions, bell peppers, and celery until soft. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle flour and stir well.
- Simmer Chicken : Gradually add chicken broth and water, stirring constantly. Return chicken to the pan, cover, and simmer for 30-40 minutes.
- Cook Rice : While chicken simmers, prepare rice according to package instructions.
- Combine and Serve : Slice chicken if desired, serve over rice, and spoon gravy generously on top. Garnish with fresh herbs.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate chicken in buttermilk or lemon juice before cooking.
Use brown rice for a healthier option.
Adjust spice levels by adding more or less cayenne pepper.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Main course
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern / American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg