Description
Southern comfort meets culinary magic in this smothered chicken breast recipe, where tender poultry gets lavished with a rich, creamy sauce. Hearty flavors and home-style cooking converge to deliver a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Spices and Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme (dried or fresh)
Cooking and Coating Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Thoroughly coat chicken breasts with a blend of salt, pepper, and paprika, then delicately dust with flour, carefully removing any excess powder.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over moderate heat, carefully placing seasoned chicken and searing each side until a rich golden crust develops, approximately 4-5 minutes per surface. Transfer cooked chicken to a holding plate.
- Within the same skillet, transform butter into a silky liquid and introduce thinly sliced onions, gently stirring and allowing them to caramelize into a deep golden hue over 8-10 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic, stirring quickly to release its aromatic essence. Sprinkle remaining flour across the surface, stirring continuously for another minute to create a smooth base.
- Methodically pour chicken broth into the skillet, whisking consistently to prevent lumps from forming. Incorporate Worcestershire sauce and fresh thyme, then allow the mixture to gently simmer.
- Gradually blend heavy cream into the developing sauce, then carefully return chicken breasts to the skillet. Reduce heat and let the dish slowly simmer, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken while ensuring chicken reaches perfect doneness.
- Finish by scattering freshly chopped parsley across the surface and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Flour Coating Trick: Use a light, even dusting of flour to create a delicate, crispy exterior that seals in the chicken’s moisture and helps thicken the gravy.
- Caramelization Technique: Take time to slowly cook onions until they turn golden brown, releasing natural sugars for deeper, richer flavor complexity.
- Low and Slow Simmering: Reduce heat to low when adding cream to prevent separation and ensure a smooth, silky sauce that perfectly coats the chicken.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap wheat flour with cornstarch or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version without compromising taste or texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 110mg