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Smothered Chicken and Rice

Smothered Chicken and Rice
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Smothered Chicken and Rice is a comforting and hearty one-pan meal featuring tender chicken pieces smothered in a rich, savory gravy served over fluffy, perfectly cooked rice. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe uses simple pantry staples and is easy to customize, making it ideal for busy weeknights or cozy dinners that satisfy and warm the soul.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 chicken thighs or breasts, bone-in or boneless

Rice and Broth

  • 1 cup white rice (long grain or jasmine)
  • 2 cups chicken broth

Aromatics and Thickener

  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons flour or cornstarch

Fat and Seasoning

  • 2 tablespoons butter or oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Optional Herbs and Spices

  • Thyme, paprika, cayenne pepper (optional, to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prep Your Ingredients: Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper. Dice the onion finely and mince the garlic. Measure out the rice and chicken broth to have everything ready.
  2. Brown the Chicken: Heat butter or oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear on both sides until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate after browning.
  3. Sauté Aromatics and Make the Roux: Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, add diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until translucent and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the veggies and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes to create a roux, which will thicken the gravy.
  4. Add Broth and Rice: Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer, then stir in the rice, scraping the bottom of the skillet to lift browned bits for extra flavor.
  5. Simmer and Smother: Return chicken pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the rice mixture. Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to low. Let simmer for 18-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through, allowing the flavors to meld.
  6. Serve and Enjoy: Check seasoning and adjust with salt, pepper, or optional herbs. Fluff the rice with a fork and plate alongside the smothered chicken. Optionally, garnish with fresh parsley, green onions, or smoked paprika before serving.

Notes

  • Use bone-in chicken for juicier meat and richer broth.
  • Don’t skip browning the chicken to build deep flavor.
  • Cover the pan tightly to trap steam and cook rice evenly.
  • Prefer fresh chicken broth over water or bouillon cubes for best taste.
  • Let the finished dish rest covered for 5 minutes to finish steaming and enhance flavors.
  • For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend.
  • To make gravy richer, add a splash of heavy cream or cream cheese at the end.

Nutrition

Keywords: smothered chicken, chicken and rice, comfort food, one-pan meal, quick dinner, easy recipe, savory gravy

Find it online: https://eazyummy.com/smothered-chicken-and-rice/