Description
Smothered chicken thighs gravy becomes a Southern comfort classic that brings family around the table with rich, creamy goodness. Tender chicken nestled in a savory sauce guarantees clean plates and happy hearts.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 packet Sazon seasoning
Seasoning and Coating:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons Lawrys seasoning salt
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Dried parsley
Cooking Components:
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ large white onion
- 7 garlic cloves
- 2 ½ cups chicken stock
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Pat four bone-in chicken thighs until completely dry. Let them rest at room temperature for even cooking.
- Season chicken thoroughly with 2 teaspoons seasoning salt, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon paprika, and Sazon seasoning packet.
- Mix 2 cups flour with remaining seasoning salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper in a large bowl.
- Coat each chicken thigh completely in seasoned flour mixture, shaking off excess flour carefully.
- Heat 2 tablespoons avocado oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat at 375F.
- Sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 5 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Flip thighs and cook additional 5 minutes, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons butter with sliced onion and 7 chopped garlic cloves.
- Sprinkle 4 tablespoons reserved flour into skillet, creating a light roux for 3-4 minutes.
- Slowly whisk 2 ½ cups chicken stock into roux, stirring continuously for 5 minutes.
- Pour ½ cup heavy cream into gravy, whisking until sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
- Return chicken thighs to skillet, nestling them into gravy so they’re partially submerged.
- Bring skillet to boil on stovetop, then transfer to 400F oven.
- Bake covered for 45 minutes until chicken reaches 165F internal temperature.
- Remove lid, spoon gravy over chicken, and sprinkle dried parsley as garnish.
Notes
- Always pat chicken thighs completely dry to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior when searing.
- Allow chicken to reach room temperature before cooking to help it sear evenly and prevent tough meat.
- Toast the roux carefully and whisk constantly to develop rich flavor without burning the flour mixture.
- When making gravy, add liquid gradually and whisk smoothly to prevent lumps and create a silky sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 58 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg