Creamy Southern Chicken

Comfort food at its finest, this down-home Southern Smothered Chicken delivers fork-tender poultry swimming in velvety gravy. Made from basic pantry items, this hearty dish brings deep, mouthwatering flavors that'll warm your soul - perfect for gathering the family around the dinner table.

What You'll Need

• Bone-in Chicken (3-4 lbs, thighs and drumsticks): The bones keep everything juicy and boost flavor while marinating makes each mouthful taste amazing.
• Smoked Paprika: Gives that hint of smokiness that works wonders with the creamy sauce.
• Lawry's Seasoning Salt (split use): This spice mix cranks up the tastiness in both chicken and gravy.
• Black Pepper: Adds just enough heat to balance out the rich creaminess.
• Garlic Powder: Creates a savory background that plays nicely with the fresh garlic later on.

For The Gravy

• All-Purpose Flour: Makes your gravy nice and thick with a silky-smooth feel.
• Unsalted Butter: Brings luxurious taste while helping brown those onions for maximum flavor.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Helps get that beautiful brown crust on your chicken without sticking.
• Garlic Cloves (minced): Fresh garlic kicks up the aroma and flavor throughout the whole dish.
• Onion (chopped): Once browned, these bits add sweetness and depth to your gravy.
• Fresh Thyme Sprigs: Adds gentle herby notes that tie all the flavors together.
• Chicken Stock or Bone Broth: Forms the backbone of your gravy with its hearty, savory goodness.
• Heavy Cream: Creates that irresistible richness that makes this dish so darn comforting.

How To Make It

Step 1: Prep Your Chicken

After cleaning your chicken pieces, toss them in a big bowl with 1 teaspoon Lawry's seasoning salt, some black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Mix everything until the chicken's completely covered. Pack it into a ziplock bag and chill for at least 3 hours but overnight works even better. Before cooking, let the chicken sit out for 15-20 minutes to take the chill off.

Step 2: Get That Golden Color

Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil into a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange your chicken pieces without overcrowding and cook about 4 minutes on each side till they're golden brown. Take them out and set them aside on a plate.

Step 3: Start Your Gravy

Using that same skillet with all those tasty bits, drop in 4 tablespoons butter and let it melt down. Toss in your chopped onions and cook them for 8-10 minutes, stirring now and then until they turn golden and sweet. Add your minced garlic and cook one more minute till you can really smell it.

Step 4: Build The Sauce

Scatter 1/4 cup flour over everything and stir it into the onion mixture. Slowly pour in 2 cups chicken stock while stirring constantly. Keep stirring for about 2-3 minutes as the sauce starts to thicken up.

Step 5: Make It Creamy

Turn the heat down low, pour in 1 cup heavy cream, and drop in 2 sprigs of fresh thyme. Sprinkle in the leftover 1 teaspoon of Lawry's seasoning salt. Stir everything together and let it gently bubble until smooth and thick.

Step 6: Reunite With The Chicken

Put your browned chicken back into the skillet, making sure each piece gets coated with sauce. Let everything simmer together for another 10-15 minutes until the chicken's completely cooked and the gravy tastes amazing. If you want it thicker, mix some flour with water and stir it in.

Step 7: Time To Eat

Take it off the heat and dish it up alongside your favorite sides like fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or some bright steamed veggies.

Serving Ideas & Storage

• Dish up your Southern Smothered Chicken piping hot on top of fluffy basmati rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or next to bright, steamed veggies for a complete meal.
• Sprinkle some fresh thyme leaves or green parsley on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
• Pack any extras in a sealed container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• When reheating, go low and slow on the stove or use short bursts in the microwave, adding a splash of broth to keep the sauce smooth and creamy.

Pro Tips

• Let your chicken sit in those spices overnight for the most tender, flavorful results you can get.
• Want an extra-thick gravy? Just mix a spoonful of flour with cool water and stir it in while everything simmers.
• If you're watching calories, you can cut the heavy cream amount in half and still get great results.

Expert Advice

• Carla Hall always picks bone-in chicken pieces for Southern dishes like this one, saying they pack more flavor and stay juicier.
• According to Edna Lewis, you shouldn't rush those onions - letting them slowly turn golden brown adds natural sweetness that makes the whole dish better.
• Marcus Samuelsson loves throwing in fresh thyme when making creamy sauces, saying it adds just the right subtle earthy touch.

What Makes This So Good

• This down-home chicken dish hits all the comfort food spots with its rich, savory sauce and tender meat.
• You'll get impressive restaurant-quality results without complicated techniques - perfect for busy weeknights or Sunday dinners.
• It plays well with all kinds of sides, so you can pair it with whatever you've got on hand.

Mix It Up

• Want some heat? Throw in a dash of cayenne or some red pepper flakes with your seasonings.
• Try using half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter take that's still creamy.
• Swap the thyme for fresh rosemary to create a completely different flavor experience.