Get ready to enjoy a comforting and delicious dish with this easy smothered chicken recipe. It’s a Southern-inspired meal with tender chicken smothered in a creamy sauce. It’s topped with crispy bacon and melted cheese. Plus, it’s ready in under an hour, perfect for busy weeknights.
The recipe’s success comes from simple yet impactful ingredients. Boneless, skinless chicken tenders are the main attraction. They’re paired with a savory spice blend, a creamy mushroom and chicken soup base, and shredded Italian cheese. The addition of bacon adds a smoky and crispy touch, enhancing the flavor.
Key Takeaways
- This smothered chicken recipe is ready in just 40 minutes, making it a quick and convenient dinner option.
- The dish features a creamy and comforting sauce, crispy bacon, and melted cheese, delivering a delicious Southern-style flavor.
- The recipe is versatile, allowing for easy customization with different cheese varieties, non-dairy ingredients, or additional vegetables.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer-term enjoyment.
- This recipe is a crowd-pleaser, serving 4 people and providing a satisfying and budget-friendly meal option.
Why This Smothered Chicken Recipe Is a Family Favorite
This smothered chicken recipe is loved by families everywhere. It’s comforting and affordable, making it a favorite in many homes. It’s perfect for a quick dinner or a cozy meal.
Perfect for Busy Weeknight Dinners
Weeknights can be tough for dinner, but this recipe is a lifesaver. It’s ready in just 40 minutes. The ingredients are easy to find, making it simple to make after a long day.
Comfort Food at Its Best
This recipe is the ultimate comfort food. The creamy mushroom sauce and crispy bacon make it irresistible. Every bite is a mix of savory flavors that will make you feel good.
Budget-Friendly Meal Option
This recipe is also great for your wallet. It uses affordable ingredients like chicken tenders and canned soup. It’s a delicious and budget-friendly option for dinner.
This smothered chicken recipe is a hit for many reasons. It’s easy, comforting, and affordable. It’s perfect for impressing your family or a quick weeknight dinner.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Smothered Chicken
To make the ultimate smothered chicken, you need the right ingredients. At the center of this recipe are 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken tenders. These tender chicken pieces soak up all the delicious flavors as they cook.
Next, add 1/2 pound of crispy bacon to the dish. The bacon adds a savory and smoky taste. It also gives a perfect crunchy topping. For the creamy mushroom sauce, use 1 can of cream of chicken and mushroom soup.
To finish it off, top the chicken with 2 cups of shredded Italian blend cheese. This melty cheese creates a comforting, cheesy blanket over the dish.
You’ll also need all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, and a medium onion. Use a mix of bacon grease and vegetable oil to cook the chicken to perfection.
With these ingredients, you’re on your way to making a delicious smothered chicken dish. Your whole family will love it.
Kitchen Tools and Equipment Needed
To make the perfect smothered chicken, you’ll need some key tools. A large skillet is important for cooking the bacon and browning the chicken. Also, a 9×13-inch baking dish is best for baking the smothered chicken. Don’t forget a meat thermometer to check the chicken’s internal temperature. It should reach 165°F (74°C) for safety.
Recommended Cookware
- Large skillet or sauté pan (for cooking bacon and browning chicken)
- 9×13-inch baking dish (for baking the smothered chicken)
- Meat thermometer (to check the internal temperature of the chicken)
Essential Utensils
- Mixing bowl (for preparing the seasoned flour)
- Measuring cups and spoons (for accurately measuring ingredients)
- Spatula (for flipping and transferring the chicken)
Optional Equipment
A bacon press is not necessary but can be useful. It helps make crispy bacon in the skillet. This tool applies even pressure, ensuring the bacon cooks evenly and doesn’t curl up.
With these tools and equipment, you’ll be ready to make the delicious smothered chicken recipe easily.
Preparing the Chicken and Seasoning Mix
To make the perfect smothered chicken, start by seasoning your chicken tenders. Sprinkle them with chicken seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, salt, and pepper. Make sure every piece is coated evenly.
Then, mix a simple flour coating. In a shallow bowl, combine 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, a pinch of salt, and a dash of black pepper. Lightly dredge the seasoned chicken in this mix, coating it on all sides. This will help make the chicken crispy when it’s browned in the skillet.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Chicken tenders | 1 lb |
| Chicken seasoning | 1/2 tsp |
| Lemon pepper seasoning | 1/2 tsp |
| Salt | 1/2 tsp |
| Black pepper | 1/4 tsp |
| All-purpose flour | 1/2 cup |
With your chicken seasoned and coated, you’re ready for the next step. Brown the chicken in the skillet. This step makes the chicken crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It’s the start of the delicious smothered chicken.
How to Make the Perfect Bacon Topping
Make your smothered chicken dish even better with a tasty bacon topping. It adds a nice crunch and savory flavor. Getting crispy bacon is simple with a few steps.
Achieving Crispy Bacon Results
Begin by cooking 1/2 pound of crispy bacon in a big skillet over medium heat. Cook until it’s dark brown and crispy, about 10 minutes. After cooking, take the bacon out and let it cool on a paper towel.
Then, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
Storing Bacon Drippings
Don’t throw away the bacon drippings after cooking the bacon. Save 2 tablespoons of them to add flavor to your chicken and veggies. You can store the rest in an airtight container for later use.
With crispy bacon and saved bacon drippings, you’re ready to make a delicious smothered chicken dish. Your family will surely enjoy it.
Step-by-Step Smothered Chicken Recipe
Making a tasty smothered chicken dish is easy with this simple recipe. It’s perfect for a comforting meal or learning to bake chicken. Follow this guide to make this family favorite!
Dredging and Browning the Chicken
First, mix flour, breadcrumbs, and seasoning in a shallow dish. Coat the chicken pieces well in this mixture.
Heat butter and bacon drippings in a skillet over medium-high. Brown the chicken on both sides until it’s golden. Then, put the chicken in a baking dish and set it aside.
Sautéing the Onions
Cook the sliced onions in the same skillet until they’re soft and lightly browned. Spread them over the chicken in the baking dish.
Preparing the Creamy Sauce
Whisk together cream of chicken and mushroom soups with water in a bowl. Pour this mixture over the chicken and onions.
Baking the Smothered Chicken
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the chicken, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes. It should be cooked through and the sauce bubbly.
Topping and Finishing
Take the dish out of the oven. Sprinkle shredded cheese and crumbled bacon on top. Bake for another 5-7 minutes until the cheese melts and bacon crisps.
Serve the smothered chicken over mashed potatoes or white rice. Enjoy this comforting meal with your family. Bon appétit!
This recipe serves 4 people. It takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes to prepare and cook.
| Nutritional Information | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1269 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Protein | 76g |
| Fat | 90g |
| Saturated Fat | 26g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 17g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 40g |
| Trans Fat | 0.04g |
| Cholesterol | 366mg |
| Sodium | 2575mg |
| Potassium | 1255mg |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 7g |
| Vitamin A | 3675IU |
| Vitamin C | 17mg |
| Calcium | 102mg |
| Iron | 7mg |
The smothered chicken recipe needs 6 strips of bacon. The flour dredge mix includes flour, breadcrumbs, and seasoning. The dish requires butter, bacon drippings, flour, chicken stock, bouillon cube, and half and half.
The seasoning mix for the chicken has garlic powder, dried onion flakes, red pepper flakes, pepper flakes, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
Cooking the smothered chicken takes about 20 minutes to make it tender. Serve it over mashed potatoes or white rice for a complete meal.
Creating the Creamy Mushroom Sauce
The secret to this mouthwatering Smothered Chicken recipe lies in the creamy mushroom sauce. It’s made by mixing cream of chicken and mushroom soup with a bit of water. This creates a rich and flavorful base. You can adjust the water to get the sauce just right.
Sauce Consistency Tips
For a thicker sauce, use less water. Start with 1/4 cup and add more until it’s right. The goal is to find a balance between creamy and pourable.
Flavor Enhancement Techniques
To boost the mushroom flavor, sauté some fresh mushrooms and add them to the sauce. The earthy taste of sautéed mushrooms makes it better. A splash of white wine or some minced garlic can also add depth to the sauce.
Don’t forget to season the sauce with salt and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to match the chicken perfectly, making the dish complete.
Best Side Dishes to Serve
Choosing the right side dishes for smothered chicken is easy and fun. You can pick from fluffy white rice or creamy mashed potatoes. These options are great for soaking up the sauce.
For a healthier choice, try roasting roasted vegetables like green beans or carrots. These colorful sides add nutrition and flavor to your meal.
| Side Dish | Cooking Time | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Creamy Mashed Potatoes | 30 minutes | Potatoes, milk, butter, garlic, salt, pepper |
| Roasted Broccoli | 25 minutes | Broccoli, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice |
| Buttered Corn | 20 minutes | Corn, butter, salt, pepper |
For a filling meal, serve the chicken over rice or mashed potatoes. These sides soak up the sauce well, making the meal more enjoyable.
“The perfect side dish should complement the main course, not overshadow it. That’s why I love pairing smothered chicken with simple, yet flavorful sides like roasted veggies or mashed potatoes.”
Remember, the goal is to pick sides that make the meal better. Choose options that will comfort and satisfy your guests.
Storage and Reheating Guidelines
Enjoy your delicious smothered chicken leftovers by following the right storage and reheating tips. Keep the chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 1 month if you want to keep it longer.
Proper Storage Methods
When storing the smothered chicken, use an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. This keeps the flavor in and prevents drying out. If you’re freezing, let the chicken cool down first before putting it in the freezer.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat the chicken, thaw it in the fridge overnight if it’s frozen. Then, preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the chicken for about 20 minutes, until it’s hot all the way through.
For quicker reheating, the microwave works too. But it might change the chicken and sauce a bit. To keep the gravy smooth, add a little chicken stock before reheating.