Dinner

Easy Stovetop Smothered Chicken

Name: Easy Stovetop Smothered Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: Chicken:; 5 strips thick cut bacon; 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1/2 cup Vegetable oil for frying.; Chicken Dredge:; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; ¼ cup breadcrumbs plain or Italian; 1 teaspoon seasoned salt; ¾ teaspoon black pepper; Sauce:; 4 Tablespoons Butter; 4 Tablespoons Flour; 2.5 cups chicken broth consider low sodium; 1 beef bouillon cube or 1 tsp beef better than bouillon; 1/3 cup half and half (half milk, half cream); 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce can sub Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon dried thyme; ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary; ¼ teaspoon ground sage; 2-3 drops Kitchen Bouquet optional

KrystelSeptember 24, 2024

DifficultyEasy

Servings4

Succulent Stovetop Smothered Chicken: a Step-by-step Guide

Introduction

Hey there! I’m thrilled to share with you a dish that’s close to my heart – stovetop smothered chicken. This dish is the epitome of comfort food, rooted deeply in tradition and perfect for bringing the whole family together around the dinner table. Imagine tender chicken, simmered gently in a creamy gravy, creating a symphony of flavors that turns a simple meal into a memorable feast.

Cooking this succulent chicken on the stovetop is not only easy, but it also fills your kitchen with an aroma that promises a delicious dinner is on its way. Whether you’re an experienced home chef or just starting out, this guide is designed to walk you through each step, ensuring your success in making a dish that could very well become a new favorite in your home. It's all about embracing the coziness of homemade gravy, golden brown chicken, and the joy of a meal lovingly prepared.

Key Takeaways:

Succulent Stovetop Smothered Chicken is a classic comfort food perfect for family dinners.
Easy-to-follow steps ensure a delicious outcome with tender chicken enveloped in creamy gravy.
A guide for all levels of cooks, promising a memorable feast with every bite.

What You'll Need

For the Chicken: 2 large chicken breasts, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ¾ teaspoon black pepper, and a dash of cayenne pepper.
For the Sauce: 4 tablespoons butter, 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth, ⅓ cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and poultry seasoning to taste.
For Frying: ½ cup vegetable oil, reserved seasoned flour from the chicken dredge, and crispy bacon bits for extra flavor.

Preparing the Dredge and Sauce Ingredients

Before we dive into the comforting embrace of cooking, let's chat about the simple yet crucial step of prepping our dredge and sauce ingredients. Now, I know it might seem like an extra step when all you want to do is get straight to the sizzling action in the pan, but trust me on this one. Gathering your flour mixture, olive oil, chicken pieces, and all those seasonings like onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper beforehand is like setting the stage for a glorious performance.

It's not just about making the cooking process smoother; it's about ensuring every bite of that succulent stovetop smothered chicken is infused with flavor. And when we're talking about creating a creamy gravy that perfectly complements the tender chicken and perhaps a side of mashed potatoes or white rice, you'll thank yourself for this bit of forethought. So, grab your ingredients, and let's get ready for a culinary journey that promises an epitome of comfort food at its best.

Cooking the Bacon to Perfection

Oh, the joy of cooking bacon to perfection, an aroma that fills the kitchen with mouthwatering anticipation. Let me walk you through it. First off, lay your strips of thick-cut bacon on the cold surface of the pan, no crowding, please. Now, this is where patience plays its part. Turn the heat to medium, and let the bacon sizzle slowly. We’re talking golden brown and irresistibly crispy. It’s a test of will not to nibble on these beauties right away.

But here's the kicker, once your bacon has reached that perfect crunch, remove it, and here comes the goldmine - the bacon drippings. Pour them carefully into a heat-safe bowl, reserving about 2-4 tablespoons. If there are any burnt bits in the pan, gently wipe them away, but keep those lucky browned bits stuck at the bottom of the pan. They are the unsung heroes that will add an extra layer of flavor to your dish later on. Trust me; this will elevate your creamy gravy to another level.

Preparing the Chicken for Frying

Now, let’s dive into one of my favorite parts - preparing the chicken for frying. This step is where the magic begins. Not just any piece of chicken can become the succulent centerpiece of our stovetop smothered chicken dish; it takes a little love and some elbow grease. First things first, I slice each large chicken breast in half lengthwise. This isn’t just to make the pieces thinner (although, yes, even cooking is crucial) - it doubles our joy by turning one piece into two. Now, if you’re anything like me, the next step is pretty satisfying: pounding the chicken. Covered with plastic or placed in a shallow dish, I gently pound them to about ¾ inch thick. This not only tenderizes our tender chicken but also helps our flour mixture adhere better.

Speaking of the flour mixture, here’s where the purpose flour, a bit of black pepper, and cayenne pepper come into play. I mix these with a spoonful of love (and precision) in a large bowl. Each piece of chicken is then lovingly coated with this seasoned flour, ensuring every nook and cranny is covered. This isn’t just about flavor; it’s the foundation of the beautiful golden brown crust we aim for. Once properly dressed, these chicken pieces are ready to take a dive into the pan, where they’ll transform into the mouthwatering base of our easy smothered chicken recipe.

Frying the Chicken to Golden Brown

Once the chicken is nicely coated in our seasoned flour mixture, it's time to bring our skillet back to life. I heat a mix of those flavorful bacon drippings and a bit of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it's shimmering and just begging to fry something. It's essential here to get that oil mix just right; it gives our chicken pieces that golden brown, sinfully crispy exterior that's just bursting with extra flavor. As I lay the chicken in the skillet, I'm careful to not overcrowd it, allowing each piece to sing in that hot oil bath. Frying each side for about 4-5 minutes gives that perfect crust we're all after. And oh, the aroma that fills the kitchen at this stage is enough to gather an audience at the dinner table!

Creating the Creamy Gravy

Now, onto one of my absolute favorite parts of this cozy dish: creating the creamy gravy that really ties everything together. I always start with a roux, which might sound all chef-like, but trust me, it’s just a simple mix of butter and flour. First, I melt the butter over medium heat, making sure it's just bubbling and then whisk in the flour until it forms this smooth, golden base - that’s your roux! Next, I gradually pour in the chicken stock and heavy cream, stirring constantly. This is the moment when the magic happens; the sauce begins to thicken, enveloping the room with an aroma that promises something delicious is about to come.

Adding the seasonings like onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper brings the gravy to life, giving it that rich, deep flavor that is so characteristic of this dish. And there, in my kitchen, with those simple ingredients and easy steps, a lusciously creamy gravy is born, ready to smother our tender chicken pieces and create a meal that’s the epitome of comfort food.

Tips and Tools for this recipe

Check out my kitchen essentials, where you'll find my favorite kitchen tools, spices and more!

I rely on my 10.25″ Le Creuset skillet for most of my skillet chicken dishes.
A traditional chef’s knife works best for slicing chicken, and an instant-read thermometer is the quickest way to ensure it's cooked to 165°F.

Finishing Touches and Serving Suggestions

After lovingly preparing your succulent stovetop smothered chicken, it's time for those delightful finishing touches that elevate this dish from wonderful to sublime. Garnish your masterpiece with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. As for sides, nothing complements this dish quite like a creamy mound of mashed potatoes, ready to soak up that delicious gravy. A side of green beans or collard greens can add that needed crunch and balance to your meal. When serving up this hearty meal, I always insist on layering the chicken on a bed of white rice or alongside a warm slice of crusty bread, perfect for that last sweep through the gravy. It's a complete meal that embodies the epitome of comfort food, sure to cozy up any dinner table.

A Toast to Comfort Food at Its Best

As we wrap up this culinary journey together, standing in my kitchen with the savory aroma of succulent stovetop smothered chicken filling the air, I can't help but reflect on what it means to gather around a meal. This isn't just any dish; it's the epitome of comfort food, a recipe that weaves together the simplicity and richness of home cooking with a dash of love and a sprinkle of tradition.

From the crispy bacon adding an extra flavor kick to the creamy, delicious gravy that coats tender chicken pieces - every bite feels like a warm hug from within. Whether it's served alongside a fluffy bed of white rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or vibrant green beans, this meal turns an ordinary evening into a special occasion.

So, as you lay down your spoon, patting your belly in content satisfaction, remember this - comfort food is about more than just satisfying hunger. It's about creating memories, sharing stories, and reminding us of the simple pleasures that a home-cooked meal brings. Here's to many more meals that welcome us home, one spoonful at a time.