Description
Hearty Southern comfort classic, smothered chicken and rice, delivers a soul-warming blend of tender chicken nestled in creamy, herb-infused gravy over fluffy rice. Rich flavors and homestyle cooking invite you to savor a comforting meal that feels like a warm culinary embrace.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 lb chicken thighs
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large onion
- 2 bell peppers
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 celery stalks
Pantry Staples:
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Herbs and Garnish:
- 2 green onions
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and season chicken breasts and thighs with salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika, ensuring even coating.
- Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, then sear the seasoned chicken until golden brown on both sides, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside, then in the same pan, sauté diced onions, bell peppers, celery, and minced garlic until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, stirring continuously to create a light roux and prevent burning, cooking for 2 minutes.
- Gradually pour chicken broth into the skillet, whisking to create a smooth sauce, then add butter and heavy cream, stirring until the mixture thickens.
- Return chicken to the skillet, nestling pieces into the vegetable sauce, then transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and rice is tender and fully cooked.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow sauce to settle and flavors to meld.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and fresh parsley before serving hot over the prepared rice.
Notes
- Choose bone-in chicken pieces for richer flavor and juicier meat that stays moist during baking.
- Toast flour briefly to eliminate raw taste and enhance sauce’s depth, creating a more complex flavor profile.
- For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or almond flour to maintain sauce’s thickness.
- Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt for lighter, dairy-free alternative that still provides creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg