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Smothered chicken recipe with golden fried chicken breasts covered in creamy bacon gravy

Smothered Chicken Recipe

Golden-fried chicken breasts smothered in a rich, creamy gravy studded with crispy bacon pieces, creating restaurant-quality comfort food at home.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 675

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 tablespoons flour for dredging
  • 1/4 cup plain or Italian-style breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil for frying
  • 5 strips thick-cut bacon
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour for gravy
  • 2.5 cups chicken broth preferably low-sodium
  • 1/3 cup half and half
  • 1 cube beef bouillon or 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon
  • 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground sage
  • 2-3 drops Kitchen Bouquet optional

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Meat mallet
  • Plastic wrap
  • Paper towels
  • Silicone spatula
  • whisk

Method
 

  1. Prepare the dredging mixture by combining flour, breadcrumbs, seasoned salt, and black pepper on a large plate. Pre-measure gravy components for efficiency.
  2. In a skillet over medium-low heat, cook bacon strips until crisp on both sides. Transfer bacon to a plate and reserve 2 to 4 tablespoons of clear drippings. Wipe skillet clean of blackened bits if necessary.
  3. Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create two thinner fillets. Place plastic wrap over chicken and pound to approximately 3/4-inch thickness.
  4. Pat chicken slices dry with paper towels, then thoroughly coat in flour mixture, pressing to ensure coating adheres in all areas.
  5. Return reserved bacon drippings to skillet and add enough vegetable oil to come halfway up sides of chicken. Heat over medium-high until shimmering. Fry chicken in batches, two pieces at a time, for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden. Set aside on a plate.
  6. Discard frying oil and clean out dark residue with paper towel, leaving golden-brown bits (fond) in the pan.
  7. Melt butter in same pan over medium heat and scrape up fond using silicone spatula. Gradually sprinkle in flour, whisking continuously to create smooth paste.
  8. Slowly whisk in chicken broth and half and half in increments, allowing mixture to thicken between each addition.
  9. Stir in beef bouillon, soy sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, sage, and Kitchen Bouquet if using.
  10. Bring mixture to light boil, then lower heat to gentle simmer. Return chicken and accumulated juices to pan.
  11. Roughly chop cooked bacon and scatter over chicken. Cover pan partially and cook on low for 10 to 15 minutes until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
  12. Finish with chopped parsley garnish and serve with creamy mashed potatoes if desired.

Notes

Chicken must reach 165 degrees F internal temperature for food safety. Reserve bacon drippings for enhanced flavor. Pound chicken to even thickness for uniform cooking. Keep golden-brown bits in pan for richer gravy. Pat chicken dry before dredging for better coating adhesion.
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