How to Make Smothered Chicken from the Queen of Soul Food Cooking
Last Updated on February 11, 2026 by Barbara
For as long as I can remember, Smothered Chicken has been a regular in my kitchen. There is a specific kind of comfort that arrives when a pan of seasoned chicken simmers until it practically melts under a blanket of yummy gravy. It is more than just a meal, it’s a Soul Food staple.
While it looks like a labor of love, this dish is surprisingly easy to make. I have refined my method over the years to ensure the chicken stays incredibly juicy while the gravy develops that rich character everyone craves. Whether you’re serving it over a mountain of mashed potatoes or serving it alongside slow-cooked mixed greens or fried cabbage, it’s the kind of meal that makes your family run to the table.
This recipe invites you to make it your own. You can experiment with different herbs to brighten the gravy or adjust the spices to suit your taste. However you choose to serve it, this dish is guaranteed to turn a simple weeknight meal into something special.
How to Make Smothered Chicken
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Step 1: Ingredients for Smothered Chicken
Chicken, All-Purpose Flour, Chicken Broth, Onion, Garlic, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Black Pepper, Salt and Vegetable Oil
Step 2: Season the Chicken and Flour
In a small dish combine your paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Season the chicken with half of the seasoning mixture. Add the other half of the seasoning to the flour and mix well.
Step 3: Batter the Chicken
Coat the chicken with the flour and set them aside.
Step 4: Fry the Chicken
Using medium heat bring your oil to temperature then fry your chicken for 8 minutes. Remove your chicken from the pan and set it aside.
Step 5: Make the Gravy
Remove most of the oil from the pan leaving about 3 tablespoons then sauté your onions for 2 minutes. Next add the garlic and continue to sauté for an additional minute. After one minute, add 3 tablespoons of the seasoned flour then whisk until the flour starts to brown. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a light simmer.
Step 6: Return Chicken to Pan and Simmer
Return the chicken to the pan and cover and continue to cook for an additional 15 minutes.
If you are looking for a delicious and comforting dish to make for your family, smothered chicken is a great option. It is easy to make, and it is sure to please everyone at the table.
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Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken (thighs)
- 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Cups Chicken Broth
- 1 White Onion
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 2 tsps Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 2 tsps Black Pepper
- 2 tsps Salt
- Vegetable Oil
Method
- In a small dish combine your paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
- Season the chicken with half of your seasoning mixture.
- Add the other half of your seasoning to the flour and mix well.
- Coat the chicken with the flour and set them aside.
- Using medium heat bring your oil to temperature then fry your chicken for 8 minutes.
- Remove your chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- Remove most of the oil from the pan leaving about 3 tablespoons then sauté your onions for 2 minutes.
- Add the garlic and continue to sauté for an additional minute.
- Add 3 tablespoons of the seasoned flour then whisk until your flour starts to brown.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a light simmer.
- Return the chicken to the pan and cover and continue to cook for an additional 15 minutes.
