Description
Hearty Southern Smothered Chicken and Rice delivers comfort on a plate, blending rich gravy with tender chicken over fluffy rice. Homestyle cooking brings family together, promising a satisfying meal that warms hearts and delights senses.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Starches:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Liquids and Aromatics:
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk or heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high temperature, coating the bottom evenly.
- Thoroughly coat chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and paprika, ensuring complete seasoning coverage.
- Sear chicken thighs until achieving a rich golden-brown exterior, approximately 4 minutes per side, creating a flavorful crust.
- Transfer browned chicken to a separate plate, reserving the skillet with remaining drippings.
- Introduce diced onions and minced garlic into the skillet, sautéing until translucent and fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour over the aromatics, stirring continuously to prevent burning and create a roux base.
- Gradually incorporate chicken broth and milk, whisking consistently to eliminate lumps and develop a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Allow sauce to simmer and thicken, seasoning with additional salt and pepper to enhance flavor profile.
- Spread uncooked rice evenly across the skillet, stirring to coat with sauce and prevent sticking.
- Carefully nestle seared chicken thighs atop the rice mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Cover skillet and reduce heat to low, allowing chicken and rice to cook together for 20-25 minutes until rice becomes tender and chicken reaches safe internal temperature.
- Finish by sprinkling fresh chopped parsley over the dish for a vibrant garnish and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Optimize chicken browning by patting thighs dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden crust that locks in flavor and creates a delicious exterior.
- Choose long-grain white rice for best texture, ensuring each grain remains separate and fluffy after cooking, preventing a mushy consistency.
- Consider dairy-free alternatives like unsweetened almond milk or vegetable broth for lactose-intolerant individuals, maintaining the creamy sauce’s richness without compromising taste.
- Adjust cooking time for different chicken cuts by using a meat thermometer to verify internal temperature reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe and juicy results every time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg