Smothered Chicken Rice

Fall-Off-The-Fork Flavor: Smothered Chicken Rice Perfected 🍗🍚

Get ready to elevate your dinner routine with this soul-warming Smothered Chicken Rice recipe! Juicy chicken nestled in rich, creamy gravy, poured over perfectly seasoned rice—it’s comfort food at its finest. Ready in under an hour, this Southern-inspired favorite is guaranteed to become the star of your weekly meal rotation.

Whether you’re feeding your family or impressing guests, this mouthwatering meal delivers flavor and love in every bite!

🥘 What You’ll Need:

For the Chicken:

– 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or breasts if preferred)
– 1 tsp salt
– ½ tsp black pepper
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1 tsp paprika
– 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Smothered Gravy:

– 1 medium onion, finely chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
– 1 cup chicken broth
– ½ cup heavy cream
– 1 tsp thyme (dry or fresh)
– Salt & pepper to taste
– 1 tbsp butter

For the Rice:

– 1 cup long grain white rice
– 2 cups chicken broth or water
– 1 tbsp butter
– Salt to taste

🥄 Instructions:

1. Season the Chicken:
– Pat chicken dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
– Rub the seasoning mix all over the chicken thighs.

2. Sear the Chicken:
– Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
– Sear chicken skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
– Remove chicken and set aside (don’t worry if it’s not fully cooked—it’ll finish in the sauce).

3. Make the Gravy:
– In the same pan, melt 1 tbsp butter. Add chopped onions and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent.
– Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
– Sprinkle in the flour, cook while stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes to make a light roux.
– Slowly whisk in chicken broth and cream until smooth and thickened (about 3–5 minutes).
– Stir in thyme, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Smother the Chicken:
– Return chicken to the skillet, skin-side up, nestled in the gravy.
– Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 20-25 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and tender.

5. Cook the Rice:
– While chicken simmers, bring broth or water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
– Add rice, butter, and salt. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is fluffy and liquid is absorbed.

6. Serve It Up:
– Spoon a generous heap of rice onto a plate.
– Top with fall-apart chicken and pour that golden gravy over everything.
– Garnish with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of paprika for a pop of color.

🔥 Pro Tips:

– Swap in mushrooms or bell peppers for an extra veggie kick in your gravy.
– Bone-in thighs deliver richer flavor, but boneless works if you’re short on time.
– For extra creaminess, add a dollop of sour cream or a handful of grated cheese to the gravy.

This Smothered Chicken Rice is not just food—it’s a hug in a bowl. 🧡 Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or serving it up fresh for Sunday dinner, one thing’s for sure: your taste buds will do a happy dance.

Tag someone who needs to try this recipe! ⬇️ #ComfortFoodGoals #SmotheredChickenMagic #OnePanWonder