Smothered Hen

Smothered Hen is a comforting Southern-inspired dish that includes seasoned rooster breasts simmered in a wealthy onion gravy till completely cooked. This simple one-pan meal is hearty, flavorful, and ideal for a satisfying household dinner.

Smothered Chicken on mashed potatoes and green beans

Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Smothered Hen

Taste: Savory and comforting with juicy seasoned rooster, candy onions, and a wealthy herb-and-garlic gravy.

Why Make It: Browning the rooster first builds a flavorful base, giving the gravy wealthy, slow-cooked taste in much less time.

Serving Solutions: Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, biscuits, or buttered noodles to absorb the onion gravy.

Whole Time: 26 Minutes Serves: 4 Cooking Methodology: Stovetop

Ingredient Notes

broth , oil , seasonings , chicken , onion , flour , butter , salt and pepper with labels to make Smothered Chicken

Hen Breasts: Pounding the rooster to a good ½-inch thickness helps it prepare dinner evenly, develop a golden-brown crust, and keep tender and juicy because it finishes simmering within the gravy. Use boneless skinless rooster thighs as a substitute of breasts for additional juicy rooster.
Yellow Onion: Yellow onions are an amazing all-purpose alternative as a result of they soften properly and add gentle sweetness. Candy onions can be utilized for a softer taste, whereas white onions will style a bit of sharper.
Garlic Powder, Sage, and Thyme: This easy mix provides heat, savory poultry taste with out a lengthy cooking time. If most well-liked, poultry seasoning could be substituted for the sage and thyme.
Hen Broth: Common or low-sodium rooster broth each work properly. Regulate the salt to style primarily based on the broth you utilize.
Variations: Add sliced mushrooms with the onions for a mushroom-onion gravy. Stir in a splash of heavy cream on the finish for creamy smothered rooster.

Pound the Hen: Pound the rooster evenly so the thinner edges don’t overcook earlier than the middle is finished.
Use the Browned Bits: Scrape up the browned bits from the skillet when including broth as a result of they add plenty of taste.
Add Broth Slowly: Add whereas whisking to maintain the gravy clean.
Gravy Too Thick? Whisk in a splash of broth till it’s excellent.
Gravy Too Skinny? Simmer it uncovered for a couple of additional minutes.
Use a Thermometer: Prepare dinner rooster to 165°F on the thickest half.

Saving Each Chunk

Maintain leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days and within the freezer for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge. Reheat gently on the stovetop or within the microwave, including a splash of broth if the gravy has thickened.

Cozy Hen Dinners

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 5 minutes

Prepare dinner Time 21 minutes

Whole Time 26 minutes

Season the Hen

Place the rooster breasts between sheets of plastic wrap and pound to a good ½-inch thickness.
Season with garlic powder, salt, sage, thyme and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.

Prepare dinner the Hen

Warmth olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high warmth.
Add rooster and prepare dinner 3 to 4 minutes per aspect, till browned, it doesn’t should be cooked via. Switch to a plate.

Make the Gravy

Cut back the warmth to medium and add the butter and onion to the skillet. Prepare dinner for 4 to five minutes, stirring sometimes, till softened. Stir within the flour and the remaining ¼ teaspoon of pepper. Prepare dinner for 1 minute whereas stirring.
Progressively whisk in rooster broth till clean. Add the rooster with any juices, convey to a simmer and let prepare dinner 5 to 7 minutes, till thickened and the rooster is cooked via. Style and season with extra salt and pepper if desired.
Serve over mashed potatoes or buttered noodles.

Boneless, skinless rooster thighs can be utilized instead of rooster breasts. The rooster is cooked when it reaches 165℉ on the thickest half.
For those who’d like a richer gravy, stir in 2 to three tablespoons heavy cream earlier than simmering.
Maintain leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days and within the freezer for as much as 3 months.

Diet data supplied is an estimate and can differ primarily based on cooking strategies and types of substances used.

Course Foremost Course

Delicacies American

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