Smothered Hen

Smothered Hen is a comforting Southern-inspired dish that includes seasoned hen breasts simmered in a wealthy onion gravy till completely cooked. This straightforward 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 hen, candy onions, and a wealthy herb-and-garlic gravy.

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

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

Complete 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 hen to an excellent ½-inch thickness helps it cook dinner evenly, develop a golden-brown crust, and keep tender and juicy because it finishes simmering within the gravy. Use boneless skinless hen thighs as an alternative of breasts for additional juicy hen.
Yellow Onion: Yellow onions are an excellent all-purpose alternative as a result of they soften nicely and add gentle sweetness. Candy onions can be utilized for a softer taste, whereas white onions will style a little bit sharper.
Garlic Powder, Sage, and Thyme: This straightforward mix provides heat, savory poultry taste with out a lengthy cooking time. If most popular, poultry seasoning may be substituted for the sage and thyme.
Hen Broth: Common or low-sodium hen broth each work nicely. Regulate the salt to style based mostly on the broth you employ.
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 hen.

Pound the Hen: Pound the hen 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 easy.
Gravy Too Thick? Whisk in a splash of broth till it’s good.
Gravy Too Skinny? Simmer it uncovered for a couple of additional minutes.
Use a Thermometer: Prepare dinner hen 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

Complete Time 26 minutes

Season the Hen

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

Prepare dinner the Hen

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

Make the Gravy

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

Boneless, skinless hen thighs can be utilized instead of hen breasts. The hen is cooked when it reaches 165℉ on the thickest half.
Should you’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.

Vitamin info offered is an estimate and can fluctuate based mostly on cooking strategies and types of components used.

Course Principal Course

Delicacies American

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