• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • RECIPES
    • All Recipes
  • ABOUT
    • Privacy Policy
  • RESOURCES
    • How to Start a Food Blog

Chefjar logo

Home / CHICKEN RECIPES

Smothered Chicken

Jump to Recipe

This smothered chicken recipe is made in one skillet and loaded with juicy parmesan crusted chicken breasts and a delicious gravy. It is a restaurant-worthy meal right at your home!

Today, we’re preparing tender, juicy, fried chicken breasts in a delicious gravy with a generous dose of crispy bacon. This is ultimate comfort food that feels straight out of a high-class bistro, and you’ll be amazed how fun, and easy, it is to put together.

Smothered Chicken Recipe

Chicken, gravy, and mashed potatoes is exactly the kind of classic, home-style comfort food that just about everybody loves. It’s warm, nourishing, and fills the belly like nothing else. With this recipe, we’re preparing the chicken and gravy in a single skillet. While they’re cooking, you can boil up your potatoes and get ready to mash them into creamy, fluffy perfection.

You'll Need

You will need simple ingredients to make this amazing chicken dinner.

Although this recipe calls for chicken breast, you can try using pork chops or chicken thighs instead. These cuts have a higher fat content than chicken breast, and therefore more flavor, which can help with making the gravy.

How To Make Smothered Chicken

  • First of all, you’re going to fry up your bacon until it gets crispy. Set it aside, and reserve some bacon drippings. If you need to, wipe any black residue from the pan.
  • Next, you’re going to slice each of your chicken breasts lengthways. Pound it with a meat hammer or rolling pin to about ¾ of an inch thick, season and dredge in flour mixture, and tap away any excess.
  • Now you’re going to add vegetable oil to the pan. Heat this over a medium-high heat, and when the oil begins to glisten,throw your chicken in the pan. We encourage you to fry two pieces at a time, taking about five minutes to cook each side. After this, each piece of chicken should have an attractive, golden-brown sear. Set your chicken aside on a plate to stand.
  • For the next step, we’ll be removing the oil from the pan, using a paper towel to remove any black spots that have appeared. Leave any of the brown remnants, however. This is concentrated, pure gravy flavor. The brown bits, incidentally, are called “fond”, and are important for flavoring.
  • Next we’re going to make the roux. Add butter and smashed garlic to the pan. Melt butter over medium heat, using a silicon or soft rubber spatula to scrape up the bottom of the pan in a “cleaning” motion. Gradually sprinkle in your flour, whisking all the while. This should form a paste.
  • Next, add your broth and half-and-half. Add these liquids in small increments, whisking them in as you go. The mix will thicken up with each splash of liquid, and as you become more familiar with the process, you’ll be able to eyeball how much you need. Adding all the broth or half and half at once will overwhelm the roux, breaking it, and prevent the mixture from properly combining.
  • For the next step, add your seasonings. If you want a darker color for your gravy, you can add a couple of drops of Kitchen Bouquet.
  • Bring this mixture to a gentle boil then let it settle into a simmer by reducing heat. Add the baby spinach and allow to wilt.
  • Add your chicken back to the pan, being sure to include any juice left on the chicken plate. Chop up your bacon (if you haven’t already) and place it on top of the chicken in the gravy.
  • Cook this mix for 1-2 minutes. Garnish it with parsley and sage leaves and serve with some creamy mashed potatoes.

Smothered Chicken Tips

  • When making gravy, controlling its consistency is key. Slow inclusion of broth and half-and-half, in small increments, is the best way to do this. Your patience here will be rewarded with a thick, beautiful gravy.
  • For thicker gravy, simmer your sauce uncovered. For thinner gravy, add an extra splash of half-and-half, milk, or both.
  • To ensure that the breading on your chicken stays on, make sure your oil is hot enough before you add the chicken to the pan. This will get a nice sear on your chicken breast.
  • You can add texture on the surface of the chicken with a meat tenderizer. This gives the breading more surface area to cling to, makes the chicken look a little fancier, and will actually increase the flavor of your chicken.
  • Chicken thighs and pork chops make great substitutes for this recipe. If you’re using thicker pork chops, we recommend adjusting the timing of this recipe to ensure that they are fully cooked. Alternatively, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork chops, guaranteeing a perfectly cooked chop every time.
  • If you’re looking to reduce the sodium content of this dish, unsalted butter and reduced sodium broth will work great. You could also leave the bacon out, but we love the taste and crunch of crispy bacon.

What To Serve With Smothered Chicken

Our go-to recommendation for this recipe is mashed potatoes. If you want to branch out, some roasted veggies like Air Fryer Green Beans, carrots, or Roasted Asparagus are a great option, or you could try a Cauliflower Mash. Buttermilk biscuits are a staple side of the American heartland that will soak up this gravy very nicely.

Storing Smothered Chicken

You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Alternatively, it will keep in the freezer for up to three months. We recommend that if you do freeze your leftovers, you separate the pieces of chicken from the sauce.

If you want to serve this dish after it’s been frozen, simply allow it to thaw gently overnight by removing it from the freezer and placing the container in the fridge. Reheating the sauce slowly in a pan over low heat is the way to go as this won’t “shock” the sauce. Once the sauce has returned to a low-viscosity liquid state (and it’s still lukewarm), you can add your frozen chicken and allow it to gently reheat in the sauce.

More Delicious Chicken Breast Recipes

One Pan Honey Mustard Chicken and Vegetables

Crispy Chicken Stir Fry

Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Mayo

Pesto Chicken Bruschetta

Marry Me Chicken

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

pinterest-chefjar

If you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! I will be happy to hear from you!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
smothered chicken in a skillet

Smothered Chicken


★★★★★

5 from 24 reviews

  • Author: chefjar
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

This smothered chicken recipe is made in one skillet and loaded with juicy chicken breasts and a delicious gravy. It is a restaurant-worthy meal that you can make at home!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 strips bacon

For The Chicken:

  • 2 large boneless and skinless chicken breasts, halved horizontally to make 4 fillets
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
  • 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 4 tablespoons finely grated fresh Parmesan cheese
  • 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, for frying

For The Gravy:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 7-8 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1 ½ cups chicken stock ( broth)
  • 1  cups half and half or heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 5 ounces ( 150 grams) baby spinach
  • Fresh sage leaves and parsley to garnish

Instructions

  • Heat a pan or skillet over medium heat. Fry bacon until crispy on both sides; transfer to a plate.
  • Season the chicken with lemon pepper, garlic powder and salt.
  • In a shallow bowl, combine the flour and Parmesan cheese. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture; shake off excess.
  • Heat vegetable oil in the same pan/ skillet. Once it is hot, add the chicken and sear on each side until golden, about 4-5 minutes per side ( depending on the thickness of your chicken). Transfer to a plate. Set aside.
  • Wipe the pan over with paper towel. 
  • Smash garlic cloves with the blunt edge of the back of your knife.
  • Add the butter together with garlic in the same pan. Saute the  smashed garlic for about 1 minute.
  • Add the flour, whisking continuously until smooth.
  • Gradually add the chicken stock and half and half, whisking constantly. The gravy will thicken up. Be sure to add liquids in small  increments not to break the roux.
  • Season the gravy with salt, onion powder and Italian seasoning and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Allow to simmer for 2 minutes.
  • Add the baby spinach and cook until it is wilted, about 2 minutes.
  • Return the chicken back to the pan.
  • Chop the bacon and add to the pan too.
  • Cover the pan partially ( or leave uncovered for a thicker gravy) and cook over low heat for 1-2 minutes. 
  • Garnish with fresh sage leaves and parsley. Enjoy!
     

Notes

  • When making gravy, controlling its consistency is key. Slow inclusion of broth and half-and-half, in small increments, is the best way to do this. Your patience here will be rewarded with a thick, beautiful gravy.
  • For thicker gravy, simmer your sauce uncovered. For thinner gravy, add an extra splash of half-and-half, milk, or both.
  • To ensure that the breading on your chicken stays on, make sure your oil is hot enough before you add the chicken to the pan. This will get a nice sear on your chicken breast.
  • You can add texture on the surface of the chicken with a meat tenderizer. This gives the breading more surface area to cling to, makes the chicken look a little fancier, and will actually increase the flavor of your chicken.
  • Chicken thighs and pork chops make great substitutes for this recipe. If you’re using thicker pork chops, we recommend adjusting the timing of this recipe to ensure that they are fully cooked. Alternatively, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork chops, guaranteeing a perfectly cooked chop every time.
  • If you’re looking to reduce the sodium content of this dish, unsalted butter and reduced sodium broth will work great. You could also leave the bacon out, but we love the taste and crunch of crispy bacon.
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 40 min
  • Category: Chicken recipes
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 595kcal
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 1551mg
  • Fat: 38g
  • Saturated Fat: 17g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 40g
  • Cholesterol: 150mg

Keywords: chicken breast, creamy chicken, chicken recipes,

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

All rights reserved. CHEF JAR. All images and content are copyright protected. PLEASE do not use my images without my permission. If you want to share this recipe, PLEASE provide a link back to this post.

More CHICKEN RECIPES

  • Creamy Herb Chicken
  • Crispy Chicken Parmesan Recipe
  • Crusted Chicken Romano
  • Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (Video)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Saunders says

    November 27, 2022 at 12:07 pm

    One of my favorite chicken recipes, thank you for a great new recipe to route into my dinners.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      November 28, 2022 at 4:13 am

      Hey, Saunders! Thank you for sharing your experience! I am glad you liked this chicken breast recipe.

      Reply
  2. Tricia says

    November 30, 2022 at 4:41 pm

    Tried this tonight and omggg it was so good! Thank you for sharing this

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      December 01, 2022 at 8:40 am

      I am glad you enjoyed this chicken recipe, Tricia! Thank you for sharing your experience!

      Reply
  3. Shawyal says

    December 01, 2022 at 10:25 pm

    This looks creamy and delicious. Heavenly!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  4. Peri says

    December 02, 2022 at 9:07 pm

    Another amazing recipe from our amazing chef!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  5. Olivia says

    December 05, 2022 at 9:24 pm

    The BEST new recipe I've tried in a long time. This is perfect just as the recipe is listed and it is a very nice dish with vibrant colors.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      December 06, 2022 at 5:19 am

      Thank you, Olivia for your kind feedback!

      Reply
  6. Rachel says

    December 06, 2022 at 6:42 pm

    This is so yummy and easy! My husband and I enjoyed it immensely!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      December 07, 2022 at 3:33 am

      Yay!! That’s so great to hear. Thank YOU!

      Reply
  7. Cathy says

    December 14, 2022 at 11:08 pm

    Made this tonight! My family loved it! This is going into the regular monthly rotation!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      December 17, 2022 at 9:22 am

      Thanks so much for the great review!❤️ Glad you liked the recipe!

      Reply
  8. Laura says

    December 15, 2022 at 9:54 pm

    Made this tonight and it turned out great! The whole family loved it. Super quick and easy.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      December 16, 2022 at 10:22 am

      Thank you, Laura!

      Reply
  9. Natalia says

    December 16, 2022 at 7:22 pm

    This was a hit for dinner! Friends said it was the best chicken dinner ever!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      December 17, 2022 at 9:11 am

      That makes me so happy to hear Natalia, thanks so much for the great comments!😀

      Reply
  10. Wanda says

    December 20, 2022 at 11:50 pm

    This recipe is indeed packed with flavors. I will be making this again! Bookmarking it to add to our family meal rotation.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      December 21, 2022 at 7:42 am

      Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!❤️ I am glad you liked the recipe!

      Reply
  11. Lexi Dyer says

    December 21, 2022 at 10:12 pm

    This is such an elegant and flavorful dish. Will definitely do this again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      December 22, 2022 at 7:26 am

      Thank you, Lexi! I am glad you liked this recipe)).

      Reply
  12. Ainara says

    December 25, 2022 at 12:27 pm

    I made your recipe it was so delicious! Making this again soon, my family love it! This is a household staple!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      December 28, 2022 at 8:10 am

      Thank you Ainara!

      Reply
  13. Aubrie Durham says

    December 25, 2022 at 7:30 pm

    Made this for dinner and everyone loved it! Adding to my recipe book, thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      December 26, 2022 at 7:55 am

      Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!❤️ I am glad you liked the recipe!

      Reply
  14. Amorray says

    December 26, 2022 at 11:46 pm

    Thank you! I love this recipe! I’ve made this twice now, it’s definitely a keeper!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      December 28, 2022 at 8:06 am

      Thank you Amorray!

      Reply
  15. Avideh says

    December 27, 2022 at 11:13 pm

    Made this last evening for dinner for my husband and I. This is a winner!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      December 28, 2022 at 7:57 am

      Thank you, Avideh!

      Reply
  16. Brenda says

    December 28, 2022 at 8:37 pm

    I made this last night and it was a huge hit! Very filling and satisfying!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      December 28, 2022 at 9:18 pm

      Thank you, Brenda!

      Reply
  17. Nyah says

    December 30, 2022 at 12:03 am

    Love it and the family did too! Definitely saving this recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      December 31, 2022 at 8:37 am

      Thank you Nyah! I am glad you liked the recipe.

      Reply
  18. Elisa says

    January 02, 2023 at 8:25 pm

    I made this dish for my family last night and it was delicious. This recipe will become a regular for us.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      January 05, 2023 at 7:35 am

      Hey, Elisa! I am glad you liked the recipe and thank you for sharing your experience!

      Reply
  19. Chloe says

    January 05, 2023 at 10:34 pm

    This is an excellent recipe. It will be in my regular rotation going forward!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      January 08, 2023 at 5:26 pm

      Hey, Chloe! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!❤️ I am glad you liked this recipe!

      Reply
  20. Lily Collins says

    January 07, 2023 at 5:43 pm

    This came out so delicious and the chicken was really tender. Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      January 08, 2023 at 5:21 pm

      Hey, Lily! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!❤️ I am glad you liked this recipe!

      Reply
  21. Marigona says

    January 08, 2023 at 9:22 pm

    Thanks for making such an easy to follow recipe. Will definitely make again.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      January 10, 2023 at 12:17 pm

      Thank you, Marigona!

      Reply
  22. Ciara says

    January 09, 2023 at 11:13 pm

    My family absolutely loved it! Thanks for the great recipe! We’ll definitely be making it again in the future.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      January 10, 2023 at 12:11 pm

      Thank you Ciara!

      Reply
  23. Aly says

    January 12, 2023 at 8:58 pm

    Perfectly cooked chicken! I followed the recipe exactly as given and it was absolutely moist and delicious with wonderful flavor. I will definitely make this again.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      January 13, 2023 at 3:58 am

      Thank you for sharing your experience! I am glad you like this chicken recipe as much as we do.

      Reply
  24. Misty says

    January 16, 2023 at 5:59 pm

    Made this tonight, came out perfect. It tasted delicious, juicy and perfectly cooked! The family loved it. Definitely going to make this again.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • chefjar says

      January 17, 2023 at 6:09 am

      Thank you, Misty! -Tatiana 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

LOOKING FOR RECIPES? SEARCH HERE!

About Me

Hi, I am Tati and welcome to my online kitchen. A foodie, wife and mom of 2 adorable boys. Read More…

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Phone
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube



Search Recipes

Footer

SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE RECIPES STRAIGHT INTO YOUR INBOX!

CONNECT WITH ME – CHEFJAR

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Privacy Policy
  • ABOUT ME
  • Recipe index

Copyright © 2023 · CHEFJAR