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Southern Smothered Chicken Recipe

This smothered chicken recipe is rich and the gravy is perfect over rice or potatoes.

Tender chicken smothered in a creamy homemade onion and garlic gravy

Whenever I make Southern Smothered Chicken, it reminds me of my childhood- when I lived in the ‘hood. Every Sunday my mom would make a bigger than usual dinner, and it was always very southern. The table always had sweet cornbread, collard greens with ham hocks, potato salad, and whatever meat that was on sale when my mom went grocery shopping. Sometimes it would be ribs, or catfish, but most of the the time it would be chicken. My favorite chicken was Southern Smothered Chicken. My mom made the best smothered chicken when I was younger ( I have her beat now :-p ) . My mom would smothered the chicken with lots of gravy and onions, and she would cook the chicken until it fell of the bone, then she would serve the chicken over rice. I could never get enough. Sometimes, I eat my dinner outside ( Depending on the weather), and the other kids on the block would always beg me to share- which I never did, LOL! Those were they days!!! Now that I’m older, and know how to cook – I don’t have to depend on my mother to make  Southern Smothered Chicken. I perfected my very own recipe for it!

In this post I’m going to show you how to make the best Southern Smothered Chicken. We are going to brown the chicken, and then cook the chicken in a homemade creamy gravy that will also go great over mashed potatoes or rice! The chicken pieces that I used was legs and thighs. If you decide to use another piece of chicken that is up to you, however the cooking time may change.

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Smothered Chicken
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Southern Smothered Chicken Recipe

This Southern Smothered Chicken is made with perfectly browned chicken with an onion and garlic gravy that's perfect over your starch of choice. This is true southern comfort.
Course Dinner
Cuisine Southern/ Soul Food
Keyword Southern Smothered Chicken
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 servings
Author I Heart Recipes

Ingredients

  • 1 lbs chicken I used legs, and thighs
  • 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp celery seed
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp poultry seasoning
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 medium sized onion chopped

Instructions

  • Start off by making sure that all of the chicken is nice and clean.
  • Pour 1 1/2 cup flour into a large bowl, and add in seasonings : garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, celery seed, poultry seasoning, and smoked paprika. Mix until well incorporated.
  • Coat the chicken with the seasoned flour, and make sure you coat all surfaces.
  • Reserve the seasoned flour
  • Pour 1/4 cup of vegetable oil into a large pan, then place the plan over medium heat.
  • Start adding in the chicken, but be sure to not over crowd the pan ( use a pan big enough to hold all of the chicken).
  • Cook the chicken until it is golden brown(DO NOT worry about cooking the chicken until done, because we will cook it some more).
  • Once the chicken is nice and browned, remove it from the pan. Leave the oil in the pan.
  • Toss in the onions, and cook them for about 2 minutes, then add in the garlic. Once the garlic is in the pan let it cook for an additional minute, then remove the onions and garlic from the pan.
  • Add three tbsp of the seasoned flour (the same flour that you coat the chicken with) to the pan. Stir in with the oil.
  • Next pour in 2 cups of chicken broth. Whisk in while pouring in the broth. Make sure there aren't any lumps.
  • Let the gravy cook for about 2 minutes ( still on medium heat), then pour in 1 cup of milk into the pan.
  • Let the creamy gravy cook for about 3 minutes, then start adding the chicken back into the pan, as well as the onions and garlic.
  • Make sure all of the chicken is coated with the creamy gravy.
  • Place a lid on the pan, then let the chicken cook for 30-35 minutes. Be sure to occasionally turn the chicken.
  • Once done serve the chicken with rice or mashed potatoes.
  • Enjoy!

Video

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Comments

  2. I enjoy your videos and recipes. Thanks so much for your effort. I love to cook myself and I’m always looking for new things to try. I have used several of your recipes , there usually aren’t any leftover, but if there are left overs someone eats them the nest day.

    Reply

  3. I started following your recipes several months ago. I am an experienced cook and with each recipe of yours that I prepare, I sincerely appreciate the quality of the flavors found in your dishes. Outstanding! My current favorite – Chicken smothered in onion & garlic gravy. Thank you for sharing your talent.

    Reply

    • 5 stars
      Loved it. Made it last night but with chicken breasts and it was delicious. I added a little more pepper to the gravy and a small amount of chicken bouillon.

      In your main photo I assume the green pieces were Parsley or Green onions, so added some chopped on top from my garden and it was so good.

      I haven’t had smothered chicken since I was a kid when myfather made it. Yumm. Thank you for the recipe.

      Reply

  6. One of my friend shared this video on Facebook today and I knew I had to make. With the rainy weather we had today here in California this was the perfect dinner. My family was definitely comfortable eating this comfort food. My 6 year old son was also happy with tonight’s dinner.

    Reply

    • Hi CaSondra! I’m glad that you’re friend shared the recipe, and you gave it a try!!! My 7 year old loves the chicken as well!! Thanks for coming by hun! Definitely stay in touch! XOXO

      Reply

  8. Rosie, this is the real deal here. I love smothered chicken and haven’t had it in a long time. Yummy, this looks so good. What I love about your blog and recipes is that you post recipes that you and your family actually eat and enjoy, and that makes me have so much respect for you. So many times I see food bloggers posting recipes that other bloggers are posting and that to me isn’t authentic, but not you, you keep it real. Great recipe.

    Reply

    • Aww. Thanks Neeli! I try to be as as real as possible. My goal is to show people the foods I grew up on, and cook for my family. I never want to stray away from that 🙂

      Reply

      • Hey Rosie, this is the first time that I’ve tried a recipe from your blog and I have to say that it was delicious, my family put a hurtin’ on it. I used chicken thighs and thought that it was so good. Keep up the good work and I look forward to making more recipes from your blog.

        Reply

  10. Rosie, your recipes are just wonderful. I am glad I am receiving them on my email. You cook like the old folks down south. Thanks keep cooking and sending us good recipes my ladies group will love this Southern Smothered Chicken.

    Reply

  11. Hi Rosie,
    I found you on YouTube because I wanted to try different southern style dishes other than the norm. I came to this page and I am so glad I did. I followed the receive and added all the spices except 2 (poultry seasoning and celery seed) and it turned out perfect. This was my first time actually making gravy and I’m so happy that my family enjoyed it. Thank you so much for sharing and I will be trying other dishes soon.

    Reply

  12. I plan in trying this recipe tonight. I am not a fan of thighs or drums. Would it be the same with wings?

    Reply

  13. OMG! I’m not a big fan of gravy but I thought this was a simple southern-style recipe and gave it a try…..
    This is EASILY the tastiest, most flavorful chicken I’ve ever eaten. Words cannot describe how good this was. It’ll be my go-to recipe when I need to impress guests. It’s soooo good, I’m selfish and don’t want to share it with my mom lol. It’s soooo good, my boyfriend scraped the plate while trying to eat. Keep up the good work! This was the second recipe I’ve tried –the first was one macaroni and cheese that I made for a holiday dinner– I’m you’re number one fan!

    Reply

  14. I just found your website, and all I have to say is where has it been all my life? I cannot wait to make this southern chicken for my midwestern husband later this week! 🙂

    Reply

  15. Saw your sight today and I love how you show how to make these recipes, I can’t wait to make the Smothered Chicken I have your page on my desktop THANK YOU SO MUCH

    Reply

  16. This looks so good! I want to try it but my father in law is lactose intolerant 🙁 can I substitute the whole milk for lactose intolerant friendly milk?

    Reply

  17. I made this for the very first time tonight and there are no words to describe how delicious it was. My husband has requested I out this on the menu a few times a month and my son told me I knew how to make his belly happy . Thank you for sharing this recipe and I will most Definitely be using your site again.

    Reply

  18. OMG! Almost 11pm in bed and I want to make and eat this up! Looks DELICIOUS!!! I saw the video of this recipe bubbling up in all it’s goodness. 🙂 Do you know if this would work using boneless chicken? How do you think the cooking time would change? Thank you in advance.
    -gen SA, TX

    Reply

    • Hi Genevieve. Yes, you can certainly use boneless chicken for this recipe. Also, the cooking time should be a little less, But not much.

      Reply

  19. Oh my I made this tonight and it is so good, chicken nice and tender and the gravy is yummy IT IS a keeper for this household THANK YOU

    Reply

  21. My sister made this yesterday and she said it was so easy to make and my nephews ( very picky eaters) enjoyed it as well:-)

    Reply

  22. Either I haven’t eaten in a week or your recipes look amazing because I’m drooling on my computer (ok, I may have licked the screen). I’m going to try this smothered chicken, and then you are bookmarked for future drooling. Thanks!

    Reply

  23. Rosie, I made this dish today; it was delicious! I know you said to keep the heat on medium, but I don’t know if you are using gas heat or electric heat. I am using electric heat, and I had to keep it a little higher than medium.

    Reply

  25. Your recipes are devine ms.Diva!!!! I just tried the smothered chicken and gravy over rice,and served it with some cheddar buscuits,my hubby and daughter were in heaven,lol. Keep up the great work..

    Reply

  26. Loved this recipe, made it for the family the other day using some boneless chicken thighs and they loved it. I added a little chopped up capricola and a jalapeno and it turned out great. Saving this one for sure.

    M

    Reply

  27. I tried this recipe today for the first time but I used boneless chicken and it was AMAZING!!! Even my picky kids loved it! Thanks for sharing your recipes..I will definitely be trying out a lot more of them

    Reply

  28. Hi Rosie, I just cooked this Southern Smothered Chicken and it was so good my family really enjoyed it, thank you for the recipe. I will definitely be trying some of your other recipes.

    Reply

  29. I have been in a bit of a cooking rut lately. I was trying a bunch of new recipes, but none of them were that great 🙁 I stumbled across this recipe via YouTube and thought I would give it a try. Wow, this tasted so good! I feel like I have groove back 🙂 I can’t wait to try some of your other recipes. Thank you!

    Reply

  30. Rosie I just love your recipes. I don’t know if its me or what but can you tell me where to find smoky paprika ? I’ve looked and looked. I’m I missing something somewhere ? Please help ! I’m also going to order your cookbook i can’t wait to get it. Super excited since all your recipes are big hits with my family. Thank you ! Wishing you a blessed day. xo

    Reply

  31. I love your recipes, I am a sub on your Youtube channel , I have made some of your recipes and they turned out great, you are a great cook.

    Reply

  32. Rosie I have a question for you. Do you have any recipes for fried chicken gizzards ? My kids and I just love them and I’d love to find a good recipe for them. Thank you, Carol

    Reply

  33. Was looking on here for chicken leg recipes and came across this thank God all you ever see is a lot of baked fried are barbecue and I’m going to try this but would you have anything for pork chops my husband don’t like them unless I make in a gravy says other ways it’s always dry any idea on other ways to cook them I loved the video thanks for sharing

    Reply

  34. Can I just say…..ooooooommmmmmmggggeeerrrdddddd!!!!!
    I just finished making this and my family is in love with this meal. My husband said,add it to your meal plans.. Kids say,bomb.com This was a hit. Thanks for a great recipe and sharing your family story. I topped it over rice. It was AMAZZZZIIINNGG!!!

    Reply

  35. Rosie!!!! I’ve made several of your receipes I’m so greatful for you! Because of you I’m stepping outside of my weekly meals and you are very, very informative! Not only that but usually your meals go far in my house hold I’m looking forward to trying this smothered chicken this week!

    Reply

  36. Hi I love your recipes ! If I make this without the poultry seasoning and celeray seeds will it still have a great taste? I’m not familiar with those two seasonings so I am a bit skeptical… But only because I don’t know what they tast like.

    Reply

  37. i tried smothered pork chops which i LOVE but most of the time the meat turns out tough to chew. I found this recipe on pinterest and has been on our weekly menu rotation ever since. Serve it with noodles and steamed veggies… BOOM!!! Thank you for sharing

    Reply

  38. I have been watching all your videos and coveting all of your recipes. I think I am in love! Making this now and the house smells ahhhmazing! Keep the soul food coming!

    Reply

  39. Hi Rosie, i was looking for a new recipe for smothered chicken and just happenened up on your wed site, best discovery ever. i tried this recipe last week after watching the video and it was so good. thank you so much. your recipes are so easy to follow and calls for everything i keep in my kitchen. thanks again, your are the best.

    Reply

  40. Thank you for your recipes & blog, I grew up with a mom that did NOT cook at ALL would ask people that will only laugh and make jokes about how I didn’t know how to cook. I have always wanted to learn now I watch you on you tube, look at your pics on IG & use your recipes & they come out soooooo good, I’m so happy you have a desire to help others thank yo so much.

    Reply

  41. I’m a new cooker and every time I use one of your recipes my family loves it! Sometimes I have to step back like “Did I just cook that?” Lol but, thanks for the awesome recipes keep them coming!!!

    Reply

  42. Rosie, this was absolutely fabulous! My southern husband just loved this. It was the best tasting chicken gravy I have ever made. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. The video was so helpful too! Cheers!

    Reply

  43. I love this recipe for date night! But I was wondering if I could use boneless and if so what kind should I get??

    Reply

  44. HI rosier I LOVE YOUR WEBSITE AND ALL YOUR RECIPES YOU ARE A LIFE SAVER lol question ?? Can I cook this in the oven ?? My large skillet only holds about 4-6 pieces of chicken depending on size and I liked this so much the first time I made this I wanted to know if there was a way for me to make this in the oven so I can add more.

    Reply

  45. 5 stars
    This is the BEST chicken and gravy. The only one i’ll ever have to use. I forgot to buy milk so i had to use a can of evaporated milk i had on hand and it was just as delicious..In fact, next time i will only use the canned milk, just gave it a richer flavor.

    Reply

  48. Hi Rosie! I Am from the south, Mississippi! My grandmother use to cook smothered chicken and we all loved it growing up! Best part was to make a big old pan of cornbread and put that gravy over it! . I’m gonna try your tonight, will give you a review on the results. Thanks!!

    Reply

  49. 5 stars
    I was nervous about making this recipe because I am fairly new at cooking , I got enough courage to make it today it was not that complicated the way you wrote instructions and the video helped a lot ! I had it ready for dinner when my husband walked in from work .
    My husband cleaned the plate and said ” Wow its like a chef came and made this ! Lol it was soo good !! We even High-fived at the end of dinner !!!!

    Reply

  50. I made this for dinner last night and it was sooooooo DELICIOUS!!!
    Even though i used all chicken breast, the chicken was super moist and just full of flavor.
    Thank you so much for all your delicious recipes, im in love with your website.

    Reply

  52. 5 stars
    Rosie, This smothered chicken was absolutely fabulous! My family gave it 5⭐️’S❣️You made it so easy and it looked just like you’d did! So happy I found your site! Warmest regards, Jennifer

    Reply

  53. 5 stars
    I am making this recipe now and it smells amazing! Tasted the gravy before putting the chicken back in and it’s definitely selfish!! Thank you for sharing your recipes with us! Every one I have made so far has been fabulous!

    Reply

  54. 1 star
    I am making this recipe now and it smells amazing! Tasted the gravy before putting the chicken back in and it’s definitely delish!! Thank you for sharing your recipes with us! Every one I have made so far has been fabulous!

    Reply

  55. I am making this recipe now and it smells amazing! Tasted the gravy before putting the chicken back in and it’s definitely delish!! Thank you for sharing your recipes with us! Every one I have made so far has been fabulous! 5 Star recipe

    Reply

  56. 5 stars
    YUM! This sounds amazing girl!!! It sounds like a winner, soI’m going to make it soon! Thanks for the recipe. Cindy

    Reply

  58. 5 stars
    Hey rosie,
    I cooked the smoothered southern chicken and rice recipe it it was delicious and easy to follow the recipe.it brought back memories of my moms cooking now i can do myself . thank you looking forward to trying some of your other recipes.

    Reply

  59. 5 stars
    I!m a 67 year old women from Memphis who just retired and pretty much cook the same recipes as you. BUT I have found a few new pointers and new ways (Neck Bones in the crockpot). I love your Website. Will be trying this one this week since you make your gravy differently and it sounds great. Keep up the good work.

    Reply

  60. I’ve made this several times over the last 3 months, my fiance loves it. His brother will be in from out of town tomorrow night and I’ll be trying it out with boneless chicken breasts and thighs, more to go around.

    Reply

  61. 5 stars
    I’ve made this several times over the last 3 months, my fiance loves it. His brother will be in from out of town tomorrow night and I’ll be trying this out with boneless chicken breasts and thighs, more to go around.

    Reply

  63. 5 stars
    Made this for my dinner tonight, It’s just me so not as much chick but the full recipe of the gravy.

    SO GOOD!

    This just begs for homemade drop dumplings or would dumplings not make it “smothered”? Lol, I’m a yankee girl.

    Rosie, thank you for all your wonderful recipes! I would love to see you on “CHopped” — you’d clean everyone’s clock!

    Reply

  65. Hi Rosie. I want to do this recipe with boneless skinless chicken breasts. What would I need to do differently?
    Thanks in advance for your response.

    Reply

  67. 5 stars
    Hello, I just discovered you on YouTube. I love your videos straight to the point and you are so pleasant to listen to and watch! I am a very big fan! I thought I was a pretty good cook before but now with you by my side. …look out . Lol….just wanted to let you know that I love your recipes. Thanks so much for the cooking lessons. They are very much appreciated by me and my family, god bless
    Maureen

    Reply

  69. 5 stars
    I made this tonight but finished it off in the oven.. I added green onions, bell pepper, mushrooms and tomatoes to mine. All 6 drum sticks gone between me and a 6 year old child. Lol, this is a keeper. Thank you for the recipe

    Reply

  73. Would anything about the cooking time changed if i used a whole cut up chicken instead of legs and thighs? Thanks in advance:)

    Reply

  76. 5 stars
    This recipe is delicious.. I actually made it 2 years ago and forgot to give a review. The smoked paprika really gave it some good flavor! That’s a regular seasoning I use now. I feel so proud making this lol its funny. It makes people think im a good cook. haha 🙂

    Reply

  78. 5 stars
    I’ve never had smothered anything before but always craved it. I made this tonight and omg it was so bomb!!!! I didn’t have celery seed so I just added 1/2 tsp more of poultry seasoning (I use lawrys). I love your recipes! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

  81. I made this for my Boy Scouts and adult leaders on a campout a couple weeks ago and it was a huge hit and will be made again for sure!! It was the best smothered chicken ever!!! Thanks for sharing this incredible recipe!!!

    Reply

  82. 5 stars
    When I first saw this recipe I was in love. After I made it I was convinced that Rosie had developed the perfect Southern Smothered Chicken Recipe. I’ve already made this several times. Initially, made it exactly to the recipe. Since then I’ve made a couple of minor changes. I prefer my gravy made with butter so I reduced the oil to a minimal amount (to saute the chicken), cooked the onions in the oil then replaced the oil with butter to make the grave. My family loves onions, so, I used a jumbo sweet onion sliced. Finally, we like a little heat, so I added a 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper to the dredge. My wife, my neighbor and her 4 kids all say this recipe is a keeper. Rosie, Thank for sharing this delicious recipe.

    Reply

  83. 5 stars
    OMG….OH MY GAWD!!! This recipe is SO delicious! I made this and felt like a REAL SOUTHERNER! I wanted to drink the gravy with a straw! I did a happy dance and my mother wanted to try the gravy and she couldn’t stop exclaiming. My daughter tried it and demanded to know why I wasn’t cooking biscuits. The chicken (used boneless thighs) was spectacular and the seasoned flour is going to become my **only** seasoned flour recipe. This will become a staple in my home and my daughter is already requesting it again. WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!

    Reply

  84. 5 stars
    Omg! This was delicious! I used boneless chicken breast and doubled the recipe and put it over rice and quinoa. Thank you!

    Reply

  85. 5 stars
    Thank you! I have been looking for a good recipe for a southern style “chicken dinner” with gravy to be served over white rice for a long time. I used garlic powder instead of minced garlic and didn’t have the celery seed but it still turned out so good. Pure comfort food also reminded me of my dad’s cooking I loved so much. Thank you.

    Reply

  86. I’m trying this tonight, but i’m a little confused. It says 1 pound of chicken. Isn’t that just one chicken thigh or leg?

    Reply

  90. Haven’t tried the recipe yet, but i’m certainly going to. i’ll let you know how I like it afterwards. By the way, you are a beautiful young lady. Love your picture. By the way, I’m not a stalker. I just know beauty when I see it because I’ve been around for almost 76 years.

    Reply

  91. Stumbled across this recipe on the great Google. Glad I did.

    Thank you, can’t wait to try this. Missing the whole milk so gonna be risky and use evaporated milk or coconut milk. We’ll see how it turns out LOL.

    Reply

  93. After I brown the chicken and make the gravy can I throw everything in the crockpot and let it cook in there?

    Reply

  96. Husband said this was probably the best meal I have ever made! We’ve been together for 15 years so I think that is quite the compliment! I had 4 pounds of chicken breast to use up. It was 5 breasts so I cut them up into smaller pieces. I started out with the original 1.5 cups of flour mixture and if I ran out I would make more, but I still had plenty of leftover after dredging all of the chicken pieces. I used all the spices except I had no poultry seasoning or celery seed and I had Spanish paprika not smoked. I threw in an extra tsp of garlic powder and 1 tbsp of Mesquite seasoning and a dash of cayenne. I browned the chicken in 2 batches in my electric skillet, adding another 1/4 cup of vegetable oil for the second batch. I probably browned the pieces a little longer than necessary but they were really thick pieces. I had to use my dutch oven to cook all the chicken together. I just sauteed the little bit of frozen onion I had left in the dutch oven with a little oil so I wouldn’t have to transfer the onion out of the electric skillet I was going to make the gravy in. I did double the gravy and I used 2% milk cause that is all I had. I then set all the browned chicken in the dutch oven and poured the gravy from the electric skillet over the top. I’m pretty sure the chicken was done in about 20 minutes but I let it go a little longer. Served this with Idahoan instant potatoes (best instant potatoes ever) and added some butter to them and canned corn. It was truly an amazing meal that I will make many more times. I plan on picking up poultry seasoning and celery seed next time I’m at the store! Thank you for sharing this incredible recipe! That was definitely a novel! 🙂

    Reply

  97. 5 stars
    Hey Rosie I am new to your site. Girl OMG I have literally stood in one spot for 3 hours printing my favorite recipes of yours. This is a dish I have only cooked like once in my life time. I just could never make gravy from scratch my mother was a cook. Not me at that time. But this recipe looks so darn good. I am going to try it and I will hit you up and let you know. You keep on cooking girl. Lawd have mercy. Cynthia

    Reply

  98. 5 stars
    Hi!!!
    This dish is (in my Oprah voice) AMAZING!
    I made it with boneless skinless chicken breast and needles to say the least… we ate it “from the rooda’’ to the tooda’!
    Still killing it in 2020.
    Congratulations on a great recipe!

    Reply

  100. Made this recipe a couple weeks ago and again tonight! Even my picky “I don’t like chicken” teen said “I’d order this in a restaurant!” This is a family joke and means that they love it! I used breasts, cut into chunks and put my flour and spices in a ziplock bag for easy toss and cleanup!

    Thanks for this wonderful recipe and helping me find a dish my whole family loves!!

    Reply

  101. 5 stars
    Hi Rosie, I’m new to your Blog and what pulled me in was your smothered chicken someone else had shared. I was hooked! I made the smothered chicken for Sunday night dinner yesterday and it was AWESOME! Next time I make it I will pour off some of the oil before I add the onions, I may have added too much and it came out greasy but the flavor was wonderful! Hubby ate 3 out of 4 drumsticks..lol I have seen other recipes I intend to try soon….maybe 1 or 2 a week. I love this blog!!!

    Reply

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