Gravy Over Smothered Chicken

By d-mars.com News Provider

In honor of Black History Month, we decided to bring you a recipe for some good ole Smothered chicken – a staple in Southern soul food cuisine. Some may call it smothered chicken while others opt for chicken smothered with gravy. Whatever the case may be, it’s a good food memory to have in Black households, especially in the south. Its popularity is rooted in family gatherings, Sunday dinners, holidays, the whole nine. Smothered chicken is also known as stovetop chicken, smothered fried chicken, or Sunday chicken. That’s because the chicken is skillet fried or air fried first. It’s also what? BUDGET FRIENDLY!

The finger-licking food’s recipe is made with chicken broth, chicken bouillon, heavy whipping cream, onion, garlic, paprika, and red pepper. Even if you’re not a heavy cook, most of these items aren’t uncommon in one’s household. However, a trip to the local store will have you calling yourself a home chef.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• Ingredients for the air fryer smothered Southern fried chicken

• 6 pieces of chicken (I used boneless chicken thighs)

• 2 tablespoons of Famous Dave’s Country Roast Chicken Seasoning (or similar)

• 2 teaspoons of Weber Seasoning, Roasted Garlic & Herb(or similar)

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour, divided

• 1 ½ teaspoon of garlic powder

• 1 ½ teaspoon of onion powder

• 1 ½ teaspoon of paprika

• ¾ teaspoon of red pepper

• 1 egg

• Peanut oil or vegetable oil cooking spray (for brushing or spraying on the chicken)

• ½ cup of buttermilk (½ cup of buttermilk = ½ cup of milk & ½ tablespoon of apple cider vinegar)

• Buttermilk for this recipe should be ½ cup of buttermilk = ½ cup of milk + ½ tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Stir and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Now, if you’re trying to cut back with oil usage and make use of your air fryer then use these instructions:

• Combine the chicken seasoning and the garlic & herb seasoning in a small bowl.

• Then rub the seasoning mixture onto the chicken pieces, and set the chicken aside.

• Place 1 cup of the divided flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and red pepper in a medium-size mixing bowl or 1-gallon resealable food storage bag.

• Shake (or mix) the sealed bag to combine the ingredients for a homemade floured poultry seasoning, and set the flour mixture aside.

• Pour the second cup of flour into a second resealable bag (or medium-sized mixing bowl) and set it aside.

• In another medium-sized bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg, and set that mixture aside too.

• The chicken will go through a 3-step process from here.

• First, place the chicken in the bag (or bowl) of seasoned flour and shake or toss to coat the chicken evenly.

• Second, shake off the excess flour and dip the chicken into the buttermilk mixture.

• Third, transfer the chicken to the last bag (or bowl) of flour and shake or toss until it’s very well coated.

• Remove the chicken pieces from the bag (or bowl) and lightly brush or spray the chicken with peanut oil or vegetable oil.

• If using an air fryer with a basket, spray the basket with peanut oil or vegetable oil.

• Place the chicken into the air fryer, making sure it’s skin-side up. It’s okay if the chicken pieces touch; don’t overcrowd them.

• Air fry at 360 degrees for a total of 20 minutes.

• Halfway through, after about 10 minutes have passed, flip the chicken over in the air fryer and return to cooking.

• Air fry at 360 degrees for the remaining 10 minutes or until the chicken is goldenbrown and crisp all over.

• Keep the chicken in the air fryer on the ‘warm’ setting until the smothered chicken gravy is ready.

As for the soul food tasting chicken gravy:

• 1 cup of chicken broth

• 1 ½ cups of chicken gravy (or one 12 oz. jar)

• ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream

• 4 tablespoons of flour

• 2 teaspoons of chicken bouillon

• ½ teaspoon of salt

• ¼ teaspoon of black pepper

• Optional – chopped parsley or green onion to garnish

• Add all the ingredients: chicken broth, chicken gravy, whipping cream, flour, chicken bouillon, salt, and pepper in a large pot on low.

• Whisk the ingredients to combine until the gravy mixture is lump-free and the bouillon dissolves.

• Allow the mixture to heat for 3-5 minutes before it’s ready to serve with the chicken. You can serve the chicken and gravy separate or combine both in a serving bowl. Either way, your taste buds will thank you. Enjoy!