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Comforting Southern Smothered Chicken Recipe with Easy Onion Gravy

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A hearty Southern dish featuring tender chicken thighs smothered in a rich, savory onion gravy. Perfect for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • 3 cups chicken broth (homemade or low-sodium store-bought)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (optional)
  • Hot sauce or cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece in the flour, shaking off excess.
  2. Heat vegetable oil in a large heavy skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken pieces skin-side down and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown. Work in batches if needed. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add butter to the pan and stir in sliced onions. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes until onions are soft, golden, and sweet-smelling. Add minced garlic in the last 2 minutes to avoid burning.
  4. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the reserved flour over the onions and stir well to coat. Cook for 2-3 minutes to remove raw flour taste. Slowly whisk in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Add thyme if using. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until gravy thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Return browned chicken to the pan, nestling it into the gravy. Cover and reduce heat to low. Let it cook gently for 20-25 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and tender (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C).
  6. Taste the gravy and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne if desired. Serve chicken smothered in the rich onion gravy.

Notes

Slowly caramelize onions for best flavor. Add broth gradually to avoid lumps in gravy. Use a heavy pan for even browning. If gravy is too thick, whisk in more broth or water; if too thin, simmer uncovered longer. Chicken breasts can be used but reduce simmering time to avoid drying out. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil and use dairy-free broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: Southern smothered chicken, onion gravy, comfort food, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, caramelized onions, chicken thighs

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/comforting-southern-smothered-chicken-recipe-with-easy-onion-gravy/