There’s nothing quite like a plate of smothered chicken. This classic comfort food features tender, juicy chicken thighs smothered in a rich, savory gravy, perfect for serving over a bed of fluffy white rice. Whether cooking for a weeknight dinner or hosting family, this dish will satisfy everyone. The recipe is easy to make, and you can customize it to suit your preferences.
What You’ll Need
This smothered chicken in gravy recipe uses simple, easily accessible ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
The use of bone-in chicken thighs helps keep the meat juicy while developing rich flavors as the dish bakes. Our choice to incorporate pantry staples like onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika ensures you can whip this up without needing fancy ingredients. Thanks to mustard powder and chicken stock, the gravy is designed to be smooth, savory, and packed with flavor.
Kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, sweet paprika, Creole or Cajun seasoning (optional) Bone-in chicken thighs Neutral oil and unsalted butter Yellow onion, garlic cloves, mustard powder All-purpose flour and chicken stock Fresh parsley for garnish Cooked white rice for serving
How To Make
You can find the full, printable recipe at the bottom of this post (click the button above), but you can read a summary with step-by-step instructions and photos for each step below. When shopping, look for chicken thighs with the skin still intact for crispy results in the oven. If you want a leaner option, chicken breasts could work, but they might be slightly less tender. For vegetable sides, try roasted broccoli or roasted Brussels sprouts. Their crispy, caramelized texture adds a delightful contrast to the smooth gravy. Preheat your oven to 400°F. While the oven is heating, season your chicken thighs with a mixture of salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and optional Creole seasoning. Make sure to lift the skin and season the meat underneath for full flavor. In a Dutch oven or large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken on both sides for about 6 minutes. Then set it aside. In the same pan, add butter and onions, sautéing until soft and translucent (about 5-7 minutes). Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Stir in mustard powder and flour until fully incorporated. Then, gradually add chicken stock while whisking, ensuring the gravy is smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt as needed.
Oven Method
Add the browned chicken thighs back into the gravy, skin side up. Transfer the pot to the oven and bake for 30 minutes covered. Then, uncover and bake for another 10 minutes to crisp the skin.
Slow Cooker Method
After making the gravy, transfer it to a slow cooker. Place the browned chicken thighs on top of the gravy. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the chicken reaches 165°F. Serve and enjoy!
Spicy: Add a dash of cayenne pepper or more Creole seasoning for extra heat. Creamy: Stir in a heavy or sour cream splash into the gravy for added richness.
Herbs: Try adding fresh thyme or rosemary along with the parsley to enhance the flavor. To freeze, let the chicken cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. It will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as described above. Erren’s Kitchen is written and produced for informational intentions only. We are not certified nutritionists, and the nutritional information found on this site has not been assessed or authorized by a nutritionist or the FDA. The nutritional information found in our recipes is offered as an estimate and should not be considered a guarantee or fact. The estimated data is provided as a courtesy and calculated through a third-party online nutritional calculator, spoonacular API. Although we do our best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered rough estimates. Many factors, such as brands or products purchased and the nutritional fluctuations that naturally occur in fresh produce, can alter the effectiveness of the nutritional information in any recipe. Furthermore, various online calculators provide different results depending on their particular algorithms and nutrition fact sources. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
