Smothered Chicken with Onion Gravy

The Ingredients

• Chicken breast – choose boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. You can use bone-in and skin on if you prefer. Swap the chicken for pork, turkey or salmon. We also have our amazing Smothered Pork Chops to try.
• Bacon – I use a good quality rindless smoked bacon. Use short cut or streaky bacon.
• Onions and Fresh Garlic – use brown or yellow onions. You can leave the onions out completely or substitute with mushrooms. You can also swap the onions and garlic for onion powder and garlic powder.
• Cajun Seasoning – use store bought Cajun spices or homemade Cajun Seasoning. I prefer to use homemade because I know it has no sugar or fillers in it. Add 1/2-1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper if you like it with a spicy kick.
• Chicken Stock – use chicken stock or chicken broth for the onion gravy

JUMP TO the recipe card for all the measures and instructions to make my very delish Southern Smothered Chicken Breast recipe.

How to Make Smothered Chicken

Step 1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Coat with olive oil and garlic, and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning. Set aside for 10 minutes to bring to room temperature before cooking.

Step 2. Season a large cast-iron pan generously with salt flakes. Cook chicken breast fillets until lightly golden (the chicken possibly won’t be cooked all the way through). Transfer to a plate and loosely cover in foil. Set aside. (You can also use a skillet over medium high heat if you do not have cast iron).

Step 3. Melt butter in the pan over medium heat. Add bacon and onions; cook, stirring intermittently, until onions are soft and bacon lightly golden. Remove 1/4 of the bacon and onions to use as a topping.

Step 4. Add the cream cheese, chicken stock, and remaining Cajun seasoning to the remaining onion and bacon. Stir until smooth and lump-free.

Step 5. Add the chicken breasts back to the pan and coat in the sauce. Simmer until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through.

Step 6. Sprinkle the cheese over the top. Scatter over bacon and onion. Cover with a lid and leave to rest until the cheese has melted. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and your favourite sides.

What to Serve with Smothered Chicken:

1. Creamy Mashed Potatoes: The creamy texture of mashed potatoes serves as the perfect bed for smothered chicken and gravy, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. For the perfect low carb mash, use our creamy cauliflower mash recipe or Fondue Mash from Festive Table.
2. Southern-Style Collard Greens: Sautéed collard greens seasoned with bacon or smoked ham provide a vibrant and nutritious side dish that complements the richness of smothered chicken.
3. Cornbread or Biscuits: A classic Southern accompaniment, cornbread or flaky biscuits are ideal for sopping up the savory gravy and adding a comforting touch to the meal. (Not low carb but super tasty options for our carb-lovers). Try our Low Carb Bread or Best Keto Bread to mop up the sauce.
4. Roasted Vegetables: Roasted Brussels sprouts, carrots, or sweet potatoes would be delicious. Or even steamed broccoli, cauliflower or cauliflower rice.

Different Ways to Cook Smothered Chicken:

1. Stovetop Simmering: The traditional method involves cooking the chicken and gravy together in a skillet or Dutch oven over low heat, allowing the flavors to meld together slowly.
2. Slow Cooker Convenience: For busy days, the slow cooker is a convenient option. Simply combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and let it simmer on low for several hours until the chicken is tender and the flavors are well-developed.
3. Instant Pot Efficiency: The Instant Pot offers the best of both worlds—speed and flavor. Using the sauté function to sear the chicken before pressure cooking ensures optimal flavor, while reducing overall cooking time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to store leftovers?

Store in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.

Can you freeze smothered chicken breasts?

You absolutely can. Freeze in an airtight container. Defrost them in the fridge overnight. Gentle reheat in a skillet with the lid or in the microwave.

Next Chicken Recipes To Try

I sure hope you love my keto smothered chicken recipe. Here are just a few more delicious low-carb dinner recipes to try soon.

• Peri Peri Chicken
• Easy Baked Italian Chicken
• Keto Marry Me Chicken
• Keto Butter Chicken

RAVING NEW FAN? Subscribe to our newsletter. Join our keto community on  Facebook,  Instagram or see all the new stuff and easy keto recipes on Pinterest.

Smothered Chicken with Onion Gravy

You won’t believe the deliciousness of this easy Smothered Chicken until you taste it! Tender chicken breasts smothered in a savory onion gravy, cooked to perfection, this dish is an American classic and perfect for gatherings. With its rich flavors and crowd-pleasing appeal, it’s sure to become your new favorite comfort food! (Discover more mouthwatering easy dinner recipes here.)

5 from 46 votes!

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 25 minutes mins

Course: Lunch and Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free

Recipe Category: Low Carb

Calories: 570kcal

Author: Megan Ellam

Servings: 2 serves

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Equipment

• large skillet

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 250g (2 9oz) skinless chicken breast fillets see notes
• ▢ 2 teaspoons (2 teaspoons) olive oil
• ▢ 1 clove (1 clove) garlic finely minced
• ▢ 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) Cajun Seasoning click for recipe
• ▢ 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) butter
• ▢ 100 g (3 ½ oz) rindless bacon finely sliced
• ▢ 1/2 (1/2) brown onion thinly sliced
• ▢ 50 g (1 ¾ oz) cream cheese softened
• ▢ 1/2 cup (½ cup) chicken stock
• ▢ 1/4 cup (¼ cup) shredded cheddar
• ▢ Chopped fresh parsley to serve

Instructions

CONVENTIONAL METHOD

• Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Coat with olive oil and garlic, and sprinkle with half a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Set aside for 10 minutes to bring to room temperature before cooking.
• Season a large cast-iron pan with salt flakes and place over medium-high heat. Cook chicken breast fillets until lightly golden (the chicken possibly won’t be cooked all the way through). Transfer to a plate and loosely cover in foil. Set aside.
• Melt butter in the pan over medium heat. Add bacon and onions; cook, stirring intermittently, until onions are soft and bacon lightly golden. Remove 1/4 of the bacon and onions to use as a topping and set aside
• Add the cream cheese, chicken stock, and remaining Cajun seasoning to the remaining onion and bacon. Stir until smooth and lump-free.
• Add the chicken breasts back to the pan and coat in the sauce. Simmer until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through.
• Sprinkle the cheese over the top. Scatter over bacon and onion. Cover with a lid and leave to rest until the cheese has melted. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and your favourite sides.

Notes

Chicken breasts: if the chicken breast fillets are thick or oversized trim them to size or slice in half lengthwise.

Storing Smothered Chicken: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To maintain optimal texture, consider storing the smothering sauce separately.

Serving Suggestions: Serve smothered chicken with steamed veggies like brussels sprouts, green beans, or grilled veg like pepperonata. Something simple and easy.

Alternative Protein Options:

Pork Chops: Substitute chicken breasts with pork chops or thick pork steaks.

Turkey Cutlets: Lean turkey cutlets work well and absorb the smothering sauce beautifully.

Adding Breading (Optional): For a gluten-free breading alternative, coat the chicken breast with a mix of almond flour, grated Parmesan, and a dash of your favorite herbs before searing. 

Your Own Notes

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Nutrition

Serving: 1serve | Calories: 570kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 70g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 190mg | Sodium: 1647mg | Potassium: 1017mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 886IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 128mg | Iron: 1mg | Magnesium: 74mg | Net Carbs: 4g

Tried this recipe?Mention @meganellam or tag #madcreations!

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