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Smothered Chicken Thighs with Rich Gravy Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 88 reviews

Tender and flavorful Smothered Chicken Thighs cooked to golden perfection and finished in a creamy, savory gravy made with a seasoned roux and enriched with heavy cream. This comforting dish is perfect for a hearty family meal, served best with mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 4 to 5 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 2 teaspoons Lawry’s seasoning salt, plus 1 tablespoon divided
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder, divided
  • 2 tablespoons paprika, divided
  • 1 Sazon seasoning packet
  • 2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • Dried parsley for garnish

Flour and Roux

  • Approximately 240 grams (2 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 30 milliliters (2 tablespoons) avocado oil or vegetable oil
  • 28 grams (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter

Aromatics and Liquids

  • 1/2 large white onion, sliced
  • 7 to 8 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 600 milliliters (2 1/2 cups) chicken stock
  • 120 milliliters (1/2 cup) heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry and bring to room temperature. Season both sides thoroughly with 2 teaspoons Lawry’s seasoning salt, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon paprika, and the entire Sazon seasoning packet. Rub the mixture into the chicken to ensure even coating.
  2. Season the Flour: In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour with 1 tablespoon Lawry’s seasoning salt, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon paprika, and 2 teaspoons cracked black pepper. Whisk the mixture well to blend the seasonings evenly throughout the flour.
  3. Dredge the Chicken: Coat each seasoned chicken thigh fully in the prepared seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Set aside the remaining seasoned flour for use later in the roux.
  4. Brown the Chicken: Heat the avocado or vegetable oil in a large oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin side down and cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Remove the browned chicken from the pan and set aside.
  5. Prepare the Aromatics and Roux: If there is too much oil, remove excess leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan. Add the unsalted butter to the pan along with sliced onion, finely chopped garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, cracked black pepper, and 4 tablespoons of the reserved seasoned flour. Whisk continuously and sauté this mixture for 3 to 5 minutes to create a light, fragrant roux.
  6. Build the Gravy: Slowly whisk in the chicken stock, continuing to stir and simmer the mixture for 3 to 5 minutes until the gravy thickens slightly. Pour in the heavy cream while whisking to integrate completely, creating a rich and creamy gravy base.
  7. Return Chicken to Pan: Nestle the seared chicken thighs along with any accumulated juices back into the pan, immersing them gently into the creamy gravy.
  8. Bake to Finish: Bring the contents to a boil on the stovetop. Cover the pan with a lid and carefully transfer it to a preheated oven set at 200°C (400°F). Bake for 45 minutes to allow the chicken to cook through fully and the flavors to meld.
  9. Serve and Garnish: Remove the pan from the oven and uncover. Spoon the rich gravy generously over the chicken thighs. Garnish with dried parsley and serve immediately, ideally with freshly prepared mashed potatoes to complement the dish.

Notes

  • For extra crispy skin, ensure the chicken thighs are patted dry before seasoning and dredging.
  • The Sazon seasoning adds depth and color; if unavailable, substitute with a mix of ground coriander, cumin, garlic powder, and annatto powder.
  • Adjust the thickness of the gravy by varying the amount of flour or chicken stock, depending on your preference.
  • Use an oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven for seamless stovetop-to-oven cooking.
  • Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to enjoy the flavorful gravy fully.

Keywords: smothered chicken thighs, chicken with gravy, creamy chicken, southern comfort food, baked chicken thighs, chicken recipe

Find it online: https://jedentaglecker.com/smothered-chicken-thighs-with-rich-gravy-recipe/