Here’s a rich, comforting Smothered Chicken and Rice recipe with tender chicken, flavorful gravy, and perfectly cooked rice—all in one dish.
🍗 Smothered Chicken and Rice
⏱ Time
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Prep: 15 minutes
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Cook: 40–45 minutes
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Total: ~1 hour
🍽 Servings
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4–6 servings
🛒 Ingredients
Chicken
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4–6 bone-in or boneless chicken thighs (breasts work too)
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1 teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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1 teaspoon paprika
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½ teaspoon garlic powder
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½ teaspoon onion powder
Rice & Gravy
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1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
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1 small onion, diced
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1 green bell pepper, diced (optional)
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1½ cups long-grain white rice, uncooked
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3 cups chicken broth (warm)
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1 cup milk or heavy cream
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1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Optional Flavor Boosters
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½ teaspoon dried thyme
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½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning (optional)
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Chopped parsley for garnish
🔪 Directions
1. Season the Chicken
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Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
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Season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Brown the Chicken
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Heat oil or butter in a large deep skillet or oven-safe pan over medium-high heat.
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Sear chicken skin-side down (or smooth side) for 4–5 minutes until golden.
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Flip and cook another 3 minutes.
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Remove chicken and set aside (it will finish cooking later).
3. Make the Gravy Base
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In the same pan, add onion and bell pepper.
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Sauté until soft (4–5 minutes).
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Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
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Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir for 1 minute.
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Slowly pour in chicken broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
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Stir in milk or cream, thyme, and Cajun seasoning if using.
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Simmer until slightly thickened.
4. Add Rice
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Stir uncooked rice directly into the gravy.
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Season lightly with salt and pepper.
5. Smother the Chicken
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Nestle chicken pieces back into the pan, skin-side up.
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Spoon some gravy over the chicken.
6. Cook
Stovetop method:
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Cover and simmer on low for 25–30 minutes, until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
Oven method:
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Cover pan and bake for 35–40 minutes.
7. Serve
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Let rest 5 minutes.
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Garnish with chopped parsley.
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Serve hot.
✅ Tips & Variations
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Creamier: Use all heavy cream instead of milk
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No cream: Replace milk with extra broth
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Spicy: Add cayenne or hot sauce
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Veggie add-in: Add peas or mushrooms in last 10 minutes