Smothered Chicken

Experience the comfort and warmth of home-cooked goodness with this Smothered Chicken recipe. Tender drumsticks are seasoned to perfection and cooked in a rich, savory gravy, creating a dish that promises to delight your taste buds with each bite. Perfect for family dinners or impressing guests, this recipe is a surefire way to bring smiles to your dining table.

Ingredients

🍗 12 drumsticks
🍋 1 tablespoon lemon pepper
🥄 1 tablespoon adobo
🌶️ 1 tablespoon paprika
🌿 1 teaspoon black pepper
🧄 1 teaspoon garlic powder
🧅 1 teaspoon onion powder
🌶️ 1 teaspoon chili powder
🌿 1 teaspoon thyme
🌿 1 teaspoon rosemary
🍋 Juice of 1/2 lemon
🧅 1 medium-sized onion
🫑 1 bell pepper
🌿 2 stalks of celery
🧄 3 cloves garlic
🫒 3 tablespoons olive oil
🥣 1 can (22 oz) cream of chicken (Campbell's)
🍗 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions

1- Prepare the Chicken:

Clean the chicken drumsticks thoroughly and pat them dry.
Place them in a large bowl. Add the lemon pepper, adobo, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, thyme, rosemary, and lemon juice.
Mix well until the chicken is evenly coated with the spices.
For enhanced flavor, allow the chicken to marinate for about 30 minutes if time permits.

2- Preheat the Oven:

Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).

3- Chop Vegetables:

Finely chop the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic.

4- Sear the Chicken:

Heat a large skillet over high heat and add olive oil.
Sear the chicken drumsticks on both sides until they are golden brown.
Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
(Tip: Sear the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.)

5- Prepare the Gravy:

In the same skillet, add the chopped vegetables and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until they soften.
Add the cream of chicken soup and chicken broth to the sautéed veggies.
Stir until well combined to form a gravy.

6- Bake the Chicken:

Place the seared chicken drumsticks in a casserole dish.
Pour the gravy over the chicken, ensuring that all pieces are covered.
Cover the dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

7- Cook in the Oven:

Bake the chicken in the oven for 40 minutes.
Then, remove the foil or parchment paper, and bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes to let the skin crisp.

8- Serve and Enjoy:

Serve the smothered chicken over a bed of mashed potatoes or rice.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
Enjoy the delightful flavors and aromas of this comforting meal.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories per Serving: 480
Nutrition per Serving: Protein 36g, Fats 32g, Carbohydrates 14g
Equipment: Large bowl, large skillet, casserole dish, oven