Best Smothered Chicken and Rice Recipe
Best Smothered Chicken and Rice is a hearty, Southern-style comfort food dish featuring golden-seared chicken thighs simmered in a rich, creamy gravy and served over fluffy white rice. It’s deeply savory, satisfying, and perfect for a cozy meal at home.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Simmering, Searing
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
Gravy:
- 2 tbsp butter (plus more if needed)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp flour (for roux)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Serving:
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Dredge lightly in flour.
- Sear Chicken: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken thighs skin-side down until golden, about 4–5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Make Gravy: In the same pan, sauté chopped onion until translucent, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in 2 tbsp flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, then add cream and simmer until thickened.
- Simmer: Return the chicken to the pan, cover, and simmer on low for 25–30 minutes.
- Prepare Rice: Meanwhile, cook white rice according to package directions.
- Serve: Serve chicken and gravy over rice, garnished with fresh parsley.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
