Description
A hearty and comforting Southern dish featuring bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs smothered in a rich and creamy sauce made with chicken broth, heavy cream, and a blend of savory spices. This flavorful recipe is perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Sauce and Cooking
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Evenly coat the chicken thighs with salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder to enhance the flavor.
- Brown the chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy. Flip and cook the other side for 5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add diced onions and minced garlic. Cook for about 3 minutes until onions are translucent and fragrant.
- Add flour: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic, stirring continuously for about 2 minutes to cook the flour and achieve a light brown color.
- Make the sauce: Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Add cream and seasoning: Stir in heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, optional hot sauce, and dried thyme. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens.
- Simmer chicken in sauce: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, spoon the creamy sauce over them, cover the skillet with a lid, and simmer on low heat for 30-35 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish before serving for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- For extra crispy skin, pat chicken thighs dry before seasoning.
- Use bone-in chicken thighs for more flavor and tenderness.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce to your preferred spice level, or omit for a milder dish.
- The creamy sauce pairs wonderfully with rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter option, but the sauce may be less rich.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying and simmering
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce (approx. 250g)
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: Southern smothered chicken, creamy chicken recipe, comfort food, chicken thighs, savory creamy sauce
