Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Smothered Chicken is a savory and tender recipe, which is made with crispy bacon and sautéed mushrooms. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about an hour.
Pioneer Woman Smothered Chicken Ingredients
- 5 pieces thick-cut bacon
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 6 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
- 8 oz. baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 1/4 cups chicken stock
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Chopped parsley, to serve
How To Make Pioneer Woman Smothered Chicken
- Cook the bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon in a single layer and cook for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until very crispy. Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the drippings in the skillet. Once cool, crumble the bacon and set it aside.
- Dredge the chicken: While the bacon cooks, whisk together the flour, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper in a shallow dish. Reserve ¼ cup of this flour mixture for the gravy later. Dredge the chicken thighs in the remaining flour mixture, coating them completely.
- Sear the chicken: Return the skillet with the bacon drippings to medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 3 to 5 minutes per side, until deeply browned and crispy. Transfer the seared chicken to a plate.
- Sauté the vegetables: Pour off the excess grease from the skillet, then return about ¼ cup of it back to the pan over medium-low heat. Add the mushrooms, onion, and bell pepper. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are very tender and golden.
- Make the gravy: Add the reserved ¼ cup of flour mixture to the vegetables and stir constantly for 2 minutes. Gradually pour in the chicken stock, stirring until the sauce is smooth. Bring the mixture to a bubble and cook for about 5 minutes until it thickens.
- Smother and simmer: Nestle the seared chicken thighs, skin-side up, into the gravy. Cover the skillet and let it cook for about 20 minutes, until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Finish and serve: Remove the cooked chicken to a warm plate. Whisk the heavy cream into the gravy and heat until just warm. Serve the chicken thighs drizzled with the gravy and topped with the crumbled bacon and fresh parsley.
Recipe Tips
- How to get extra crispy chicken skin? The key is to get a really good sear on the chicken skin before you start making the gravy. Don’t move the chicken around while it’s searing skin-side down.
- Can I use boneless chicken? Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts can be used. You will need to reduce the final simmering time to 10-15 minutes to avoid overcooking them.
- How to make a smooth, lump-free gravy? When adding the chicken stock, pour it in slowly while stirring or whisking constantly. This allows the flour to incorporate smoothly into the liquid without forming clumps.
- What if I don’t have enough bacon drippings? If your bacon doesn’t render enough fat, you can supplement it with butter or vegetable oil to sauté the vegetables. However, the bacon drippings add a ton of flavor.
What To Serve With Smothered Chicken
This rich and savory dish is perfect served over a base that can soak up the delicious gravy.
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Steamed white rice
- Buttered egg noodles
- Cornbread or biscuits
How To Store Smothered Chicken
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: The finished dish freezes well. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Smothered Chicken Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with gravy
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Fat: 45g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Protein: 45g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
What does u0022smotheredu0022 mean in cooking?
In Southern cooking, u0022smotheredu0022 refers to a technique where meat or poultry is seared, then slowly braised or simmered in a thick, flavorful gravy, often with onions and other vegetables, until it’s incredibly tender.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes. To make it gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose baking blend for both dredging the chicken and thickening the gravy.
My gravy is too thin. What should I do?
If the gravy isn’t as thick as you’d like, you can let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to allow it to reduce further. You can also make a small slurry with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of cold water and whisk it into the simmering gravy.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Shredded Chicken Sandwiches Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Green Beans Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Popcorn Chicken Recipe
Pioneer Woman Smothered Chicken Recipe
Description
A classic Southern comfort dish featuring crispy, pan-fried chicken thighs gently simmered in a rich and savory mushroom, onion, and bacon gravy until fall-apart tender.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Fry bacon until crisp; remove bacon, leaving drippings in the skillet.
- Mix flour and seasonings. Dredge chicken in the mixture, reserving 1/4 cup of the flour mix.
- Sear chicken in bacon drippings for 3-5 mins per side until golden; set aside.
- Sauté mushrooms, onion, and bell pepper in the drippings until very tender.
- Stir in the reserved flour mixture, then slowly whisk in the chicken stock until a thick gravy forms.
- Nestle the chicken into the gravy, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until cooked through.
- Remove chicken, stir heavy cream into the gravy. Serve chicken smothered in the gravy and topped with crumbled bacon and parsley.
Notes
- u003cliu003ePatting the chicken skin dry before dredging is key for getting a crispy sear.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t clean the skillet after searing the chicken; the browned bits on the bottom add immense flavor to the gravy.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis dish is all about the gravy; be sure to serve it with something like mashed potatoes or rice to soak it all up.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor the richest flavor, use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs.u003c/liu003e
Pioneer Woman Smothered Chicken Recipe
