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Best Smothered Chicken and Rice

Best Smothered Chicken and Rice
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Best Smothered Chicken and Rice is a comforting and hearty one-pot dish featuring tender bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces cooked to a golden crust, served over fluffy long grain white rice, all smothered in a rich, creamy homemade gravy made from sautéed aromatics and chicken broth. Perfect for any season, this simple yet flavorful meal can be customized to suit your taste preferences and comes together with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks

Rice

  • 1 ½ cups long grain white rice, rinsed

Aromatics

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Fats

  • 3 cups chicken broth (plus extra if needed)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or olive oil)

Thickener

  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour/cornstarch for gluten-free version)

Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken: Pat dry the chicken pieces and season generously on all sides with salt, pepper, and paprika to build flavor and help achieve a golden crust during cooking.
  2. Brown the Chicken: Heat oil and butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Place chicken skin-side down and cook 5-7 minutes per side until browned and crispy. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes, forming a flavorful base for the gravy.
  4. Make the Gravy Base: Sprinkle flour over the softened onions and garlic, stirring constantly to form a roux. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, stirring vigorously to prevent lumps, and cook until the gravy thickens into a creamy sauce.
  5. Simmer Chicken and Rice: Return the browned chicken pieces to the pan. Evenly spread the rinsed rice around and under the chicken. Add additional broth if needed to ensure the rice and chicken can cook properly. Cover with a lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 20-25 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
  6. Final Touches: Check seasoning and adjust salt, pepper, or add fresh herbs as desired. Let the dish rest, covered, for a few minutes to meld flavors before serving.

Notes

  • Brown Chicken Well: Properly browning the chicken pieces enhances both flavor and texture.
  • Use Bone-In Pieces: Bones enrich the gravy and keep the chicken moist.
  • Rinse Your Rice: Washing the rice removes excess starch and keeps it fluffy.
  • Don’t Rush the Simmer: Gentle cooking allows flavors to meld and rice to cook evenly.
  • Adjust Gravy Thickness: Add broth if gravy is too thick, or cook uncovered for a few minutes to thicken if too thin.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch instead of regular flour, and substitute olive oil for butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: smothered chicken, comfort food, chicken and rice, one pot meal, easy dinner

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