Southern Stewed Chicken – How to Make the Best Stewed Chicken

Last Updated on May 10, 2026 by Barbara

Southern stewed chicken is one of those comforting meals that feels like home from the first bite. The chicken is seasoned, browned, and then simmered in a rich homemade gravy until it is tender, flavorful, and ready to serve over a warm bed of rice.

This is a simple, satisfying chicken dinner made with pantry seasonings, chicken broth, onion, celery, garlic, and a little patience. If you love hearty chicken recipes like butter chicken, spicy chicken sandwich, or smoked chicken thighs, this Southern stewed chicken is another flavorful recipe to add to your dinner rotation.

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Recipe Overview

• Dish: Southern Stewed Chicken
• Flavor profile: Savory, rich, comforting, and well-seasoned
• Method: Browned chicken simmered in homemade gravy
• Cook temp/time: Stovetop, about 1 hour and 15 minutes after browning
• Skill level: Easy
• Best for: Sunday dinner, weeknight comfort food, family meals, and serving over rice
• Standout tip: Brown the chicken first to build flavor before simmering it in the gravy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It is made with simple ingredients and classic seasonings.
• Browning the chicken first gives the dish a richer flavor.
• The homemade gravy is perfect for spooning over rice.
• It is hearty enough for Sunday dinner but simple enough for a weeknight meal. T
• he chicken simmers until tender and full of flavor.
• It is a great recipe to serve with classic Southern side dishes.

Ingredients for Southern Stewed Chicken

The full list of ingredients with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

• Chicken is the main ingredient in this recipe. It is seasoned, browned, and then simmered in the gravy until tender. Browning the chicken first helps build flavor and gives the finished dish a deeper, more comforting taste.
• All-purpose flour and butter are used to create the base of the gravy. The flour cooks with the butter and pan drippings until it reaches a rich brown color, giving the gravy both flavor and body.
• Chicken broth turns the flour mixture into a smooth, savory gravy. It also helps the chicken slowly cook until it becomes tender.
• Celery, onion, and garlic add flavor to the gravy. These ingredients cook down in the pan and give the dish that homemade taste that makes stewed chicken so comforting.
• Cajun seasoning, salt, black pepper, thyme, onion powder, and garlic powder season the chicken and gravy. These simple seasonings help bring the dish together without making it complicated.
• Canola oil is used to brown the chicken before the gravy is made. You only need enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan.

Tools You Will Need

• Large skillet or sauté pan with a lid
• Tongs
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Small bowl for seasoning
• Serving spoon

Watch Me Make Southern Stewed Chicken (Video Tutorial)

How to Make Stewed Chicken

Step 1: Season the Chicken

Thoroughly wash and dry the chicken. Season the chicken with the salt, pepper, thyme, garlic powder and onion powder and mix until your chicken has been evenly coated.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken

Add the canola oil to the pan and using medium heat bring your pan to temperature. Brown the chicken for four minutes on each side then remove them from the pan and set them aside until later.

Step 3: Saute the Vegetables

Remove most of the oil from the pan leaving about one tablespoon then melt the butter. Saute the onion and celery for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to saute for an additional minute.

Step 4: Making the Gravy for the Southern Stewed Chicken

Add the flour and allow it to cook until it has reached a rich brown color. Pour in the chicken broth then season with the Cajun seasoning. Mix well then bring the liquid to a light simmer. 

Step 5: Allow the Chicken to Stew

Return the chicken to the pan then cover. Reducing the heat to medium low, allow the chicken to cook for one hour After one hour remove the lid then simmer for an additional 15 minutes. After 15 minutes it is ready to serve.  

What to Serve with Stewed Chicken

Southern stewed chicken is delicious served over white rice because the gravy soaks right into the rice. You can also serve it with mashed potatoes, cornbread, green beans, cabbage, mixed greens, candied yams, or macaroni and cheese.

For a full comfort food dinner, pair it with simple vegetables and a bread side to help soak up the gravy. If you are planning more chicken meals for the week, try this recipe one night and save butter chicken for a creamy, flavorful dinner with a different style of sauce.

How to Store and Reheat

Allow the stewed chicken to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. If serving it with rice, store the rice separately so it does not soak up too much of the gravy.

Reheat the chicken and gravy in a covered pan over low to medium-low heat until warmed through. If the gravy has thickened in the refrigerator, add a small splash of chicken broth and stir gently until it loosens.

You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave. Warm in short intervals, stirring the gravy between each interval so everything heats evenly.

Pro Tips

• Brown the chicken before simmering it. This adds flavor and color to the dish.
• Do not rush the flour when making the gravy.
• Let it cook until it reaches a rich brown color.
• Keep the heat on medium-low while the chicken simmers so the gravy does not scorch.
• Taste the gravy before serving and adjust the seasoning if needed.
• Serve the chicken over rice, mashed potatoes, or another side that can hold the gravy.

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