Southern Style Smothered Chicken

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds Chicken
• 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• Salt and Pepper, to taste
• 1⁄2 cup chopped Green Peppers
• 1 cup Chicken Broth
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1⁄4 cup Flour
• 1⁄2 cup chopped or sliced Onions
• 1⁄2 cup Heavy Cream
• 1⁄2 teaspoon Garlic Powder

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to a toasty 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Season the Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, season your chicken with the tantalizing combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let the flavors mingle and marinate for a bit.
3. Prepare the Bed of Onions and Peppers: In a 9×13 baking dish, spread out the chopped onions and green peppers evenly, creating a fragrant and flavorful bed for your chicken.
4. Chicken on the Bed: Place your seasoned chicken on top of the aromatic bed of onions and peppers. To keep the flavors locked in, gently drizzle the chicken broth along the edges of the pan, taking care not to wash away the delightful spices on the chicken.
5. Cover and Bake: Cover your baking dish with foil and pop it into the preheated oven. Let the magic happen for 45 minutes.
6. Uncover and Transfer: After 45 minutes, remove the dish from the oven and carefully take off the foil. Now, carefully transfer the chicken from the baking dish to a separate plate. You’re saving those flavorful drippings, broth, peppers, and onions in the baking dish – they’re key to the gravy.
7. Create the Gravy: In a saucepan or skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter and add the olive oil. Once the butter is all melted and sizzling, toss in the onions and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until they become translucent and release their fragrant aroma.
8. The Floury Magic: Gradually add the flour in stages while stirring continuously to prevent clumps from forming. The mixture will start to thicken and take on a golden hue.
9. Creamy Delight: Pour in the heavy cream (or half and half), the chicken drippings from the baking dish, and a hint of garlic powder. Stir until the sauce becomes luxuriously thick and creamy.
10. Return the Wings to Gravy: Place the chicken back into the pan, nestling them into the sumptuous gravy. This is where the magic happens.
11. Bake and Savor: Return the pan to the oven and bake, uncovered, for an additional 15-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can double-check with a meat thermometer for the perfect doneness.
12. Expert Tips and Tricks:
13. If you prefer a bit of heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to your seasoning mix.
14. For an even richer gravy, consider adding a splash of white wine during the sauce-making step.
15. Serve your Smothered Chicken over creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice to soak up all that luscious gravy.

VARIATIONS

• For a leaner option, you can use chicken breast instead of dark meat.
• Experiment with different seasonings, such as thyme, rosemary, or even a touch of paprika for a smoky kick.