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    Home » Recipes » Chicken

    Smothered Chicken

    Published: March 12, 2023 · Updated: March 12, 2023 · By: Krissy · Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Pan-fried seasoned crispy tender chicken breasts smothered in an onion gravy are downright delicious. Smothered chicken is easy to make and satisfies all those comfort food cravings.

    smothered chicken breasts in creamy onion gravy.

    This recipe is similar to my Smothered Pork Chops, but instead of using an Instant Pot, this is a quick and easy stovetop recipe.

    Why I love this recipe

    • The best way to enjoy juicy chicken breasts smothered in a flavorful creamy gravy
    • It's a quick and easy dinner perfect for busy weeknights
    • This delicious recipe is a dinner the whole family will devour

    Ingredients needed

    • boneless skinless chicken breasts
    • salt and black pepper
    • all-purpose flour
    • granulated garlic
    • seasoning salt
    • cayenne pepper
    • butter
    • olive oil
    • sliced yellow onion
    • chicken broth 
    • heavy cream
    • Worcestershire sauce
    ingredients to make smothered chicken with onion gravy

    How to make Smothered Chicken

    Tenderize the chicken

    Lay each breast in between two pieces of plastic wrap and flatten to about ½ inch thick using a meat mallet or a rolling pin. Cut into 4-6 pieces. Pat the chicken dry and sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper.

    chicken breasts in between plastic wrap on cutting board.
    cover in plastic wrap
    pounding chicken breasts flat in between plastic wrap.
    pound thin and flat

    Prepare flour mixture and coat chicken

    In a shallow bowl, combine the flour with the granulated garlic, seasoning salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir well. Scoop out 2 tablespoons of the mixture and set it aside - this will be used later to make the roux. The rest of the mixture can be set on a plate or shallow dish.

    Cover all sides of each piece of chicken with the flour mixture and shake off any excess flour.

    mixing spices with flour to coat chicken.
    add seasonings to flour
    flour and spices to coat chicken.
    reserve some of flour
    coating chicken in flour mixture.
    coat chicken

    Pan fry chicken

    In a very large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter with olive oil. When hot, add the chicken. Use tongs to move it around every so often to prevent sticking. When the bottom is a nice golden brown, flip the chicken. Reduce heat a bit, if needed, to ensure you get a nice brown without burning the flour. When done, transfer the chicken to a plate and tent with aluminum foil.

    melting butter and oil in cast iron skillet.
    heat butter and oil
    adding flour coated chicken breasts to hot cast iron skillet.
    add chicken to skillet
    pan fried chicken breasts in cast iron skillet.
    cook until browned

    Sauté the onion

    Add the onion slices to the pan and stir them around to coat them in the residual butter and oil. As the onions release moisture, stir the pan with a flat-bottomed wooden spoon to release any of the browned bits that may have stuck to the bottom of the pan. Cook onions until they start to brown, about 5 minutes.

    adding onions to hot cast iron skillet.
    add onions to skillet
    sauteed onions in cast iron skillet.
    sauté until browned

    Make the roux

    Add the two tablespoons of the seasoned flour mixture to the onions and stir to coat. Allow them to cook for a few minutes, stirring to prevent burning.

    adding flour to sauteed onions.
    add flour
    sauteed onions with chicken broth.
    cook until fragrant

    Make the onion gravy

    Add the chicken broth to the onion mixture and stir well. Scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze and release anything that is stuck. When the gravy starts to thicken, reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce.

    onion gravy in cast iron skillet for smothered chicken recipe.
    add chicken broth and deglaze
    adding cream to onion gravy.
    add cream

    Smother the chicken

    Set the chicken pieces back into the pan with the gravy and cook for a few minutes until they're nice and hot. Garnish with minced fresh parsley.

    creamy onion gravy for smothered chicken recipe.
    stir to combine
    Adding cooked chicken back to skillet with onion gravy.
    add chicken to pan

    Recipe tips and substitution ideas

    • Flour mixture - The smothered chicken has plenty of flavor, but if you want to add more seasonings, you could use poultry seasoning, onion powder, or garlic powder. If you want to add an additional bit of heat, you can add creole seasoning or chili powder.
    • Boneless skinless breasts - you can use chicken cutlets or boneless skinless thighs as well
    • Check doneness - verify the chicken is done by using an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken. It is done when the temperature reaches 165°F.
    smothered chicken breasts in creamy onion gravy.

    Serving suggestions

    This Southern smothered chicken recipe tastes great over mashed potatoes or white rice.

    This meal tastes great with a side of roasted green beans.

    smothered chicken breasts in creamy onion gravy over mashed potatoes with green beans.

    Storage and reheating

    Store any leftover smothered chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Leftovers are best enjoyed within 3-5 days.

    To reheat, either cover and warm in the oven or microwave at 50% power in one-minute increments until heated through.

    smothered chicken breasts in creamy onion gravy on fork.

    Easy chicken dinner recipes

    If you want more chicken dinner recipe ideas, here are some of my favorites:

    • Chicken Carbonara
    • Marry Me Chicken
    • Chicken Stir Fry
    • General Tso's Chicken
    • Chicken Fried Rice
    • Chicken Divan
    • Lemon Pepper Chicken
    • Chicken Francese
    • Cashew Chicken
    • Szechuan Chicken
    cutting into chicken breast with onion gravy.

    If you’ve made this or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out. I love hearing from my readers!

    You can also follow along on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes to satisfy any foodie craving!

    smothered chicken breasts in creamy onion gravy.

    Smothered Chicken with Onion Gravy

    Pan-fried seasoned crispy tender chicken breasts smothered in an onion gravy are downright delicious. Smothered chicken is easy to make and satisfies all those comfort food cravings.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Scale: 6 servings
    Recipe Created By: Krissy Allori

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (approximately 2 large breasts)
    • salt and pepper
    • ½ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
    • 1 tablespoon seasoning salt
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 thinly sliced yellow onion
    • 1 cup chicken broth (use more if you want a thinner gravy)
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

    Instructions

    • Prepare chicken: Lay each breast in between two pieces of plastic wrap and flatten to about ½ inch thick using a meat mallet or a rolling pin. Cut into 4-6 pieces. Cover both sides with salt and pepper.
      pounding chicken breasts flat in between plastic wrap.
    • Prepare flour mixture: Combine the flour with the granulated garlic, seasoning salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir well. Scoop out 2 tablespoons of the mixture and set it aside - this will be used later to make the roux. The rest of the mixture can be set on a plate or shallow dish.
      flour and spices to coat chicken.
    • Coat chicken: Cover all sides of each piece of chicken with the flour mixture and shake off any excess.
      coating chicken in flour mixture.
    • Pan fry chicken: In a very large skillet over medium-high to high heat, melt the butter with olive oil. When hot, add the chicken. Use tongs to move it around every so often to prevent sticking. When the bottom is a nice golden brown, flip the chicken. Reduce heat a bit, if needed, to ensure you get a nice brown without burning the flour. When done, transfer the chicken to a plate and tent with aluminum foil.
      pan fried chicken breasts in cast iron skillet.
    • Sauté onion: Add the onion slices to the pan and stir them around to coat them in the residual butter and oil. As the onions release moisture, stir the pan with a flat-bottomed wooden spoon to release anything that is stuck to the bottom of the pan. Cook onions until they start to brown, about 5 minutes.
      sauteed onions in cast iron skillet.
    • Make the roux: Add the two tablespoons of reserved flour mixture to the onions and stir to coat. Allow them to cook for a few minutes, stirring to prevent burning.
      adding flour to sauteed onions.
    • Make the gravy: Add the chicken broth to the onion mixture and stir well. Scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze and release anything that is stuck. When the gravy starts to thicken, reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce.
      adding cream to onion gravy.
    • Add chicken: Set the chicken pieces back into the pan with the gravy and cook for a few minutes until they're nice and hot. Serve with mashed potatoes and a vegetable.
      Adding cooked chicken back to skillet with onion gravy.

    Notes

    Recipe tips and substitution ideas

    • Flour mixture - The smothered chicken has plenty of flavor, but if you want to add more seasonings, you could use poultry seasoning, onion powder, or garlic powder. If you want to add an additional bit of heat, you can add creole seasoning or chili powder.
    • Boneless skinless breasts - you can use chicken cutlets or boneless skinless thighs as well
    • Check doneness - verify the chicken is done by using an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken. It is done when the temperature reaches 165°F.

    Serving suggestions

    This Southern smothered chicken recipe tastes great over mashed potatoes or white rice.
    This meal tastes great with a side of roasted green beans.

    Storage and reheating

    Store any leftover smothered chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Leftovers are best enjoyed within 3-5 days.
    To reheat, either cover and warm in the oven or microwave at 50% power in one-minute increments until heated through.

    NUTRITION INFORMATION

    Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 1490mg | Potassium: 504mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 479IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
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