Howdy, y'all! If there's one thing I learned during my time in the deep south in my early 20s, it's that soulful comfort food reigns supreme. Imagine tender, succulent chicken, lovingly enveloped in a thick, sumptuous gravy infused with delightful spices that tickle your taste buds. Today, I'm thrilled to share with you a truly beloved gem of southern cuisine: the mouthwatering Southern Smothered Chicken.
Get ready to delight your friends and family with this irresistible recipe that brings together the rich traditions and flavors of the south. From the first savory bite to the last, it'll leave everyone asking for more. So, gather 'round the table, make sure everyone comes hungry, and let's embark on a culinary journey that will undoubtedly satisfy hearts and appetites alike. Prepare to be enchanted by this Southern Smothered Chicken; it's a recipe that's sure to stand the test of time and leave a lasting impression on your taste buds. Let's get cookin'!
Southern Smothered Chicken w/ Gravy 
Ingredients 3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
3 tablespoons McCormick's Cajun Seasoning
4 pounds of chicken thighs, bone in
½ cup vegetable oil
1 medium sized onion, small diced
3 cloves minced garlic
4 cups chicken broth
2 bay leaves
2 cups whole milk
3 tablespoons parsley, roughly chopped
Directions1. To make seasoned flour: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, black pepper and cajun seasoning
2. Add chicken to the seasoned flour mixture and cover each piece thoroughly. Shake any excess seasoned flour mixture off chicken. Reserve seasoned flour mixture.
3. Add vegetable oil to a large skillet on medium high heat. Brown each side of the seasoned chicken, about 3 minutes each side. Remove chicken.
4. Add onions into the pan and cook for 5 minutes on medium low heat. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons of the seasoned flour mix and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Add bay leaves and milk and simmer for 5 minutes. Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer for 5 minutes, while whisking out any lumps of flour.
6. Add browned chicken back into skillet, place a lid onto the skillet and cook everything together for 30 minutes, rotating chicken occasionally.
7. Garnish with parsley.
Pro-tip: skim off excess oil after chicken is done cooking
