Spicy Southern Chicken & Gravy
A hearty Southern dish featuring tender chicken and a rich, flavorful gravy, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 3 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning Plus extra to taste
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 to taste salt
- 1 to taste black pepper
- 2 teaspoons olive oil Divided
For the Gravy
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup yellow onion Thinly sliced
- 2 pieces bell peppers Sliced, any color
- 1 stalk celery Diced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and drizzle with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Season both sides with Cajun seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Cooking Chicken
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining teaspoon of olive oil and place the chicken breasts in the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken and set it aside.
Making Gravy
- Lower the heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet, followed by the sliced onions, bell peppers, and diced celery. Sauté the veggies for 4-5 minutes until soft and lightly caramelized.
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetables. Stir for 2-3 minutes to cook the flour while avoiding burning it.
- Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, stirring to prevent lumps. Add chicken bouillon powder and more Cajun seasoning if desired. Continue whisking until the gravy is smooth and thickened, about 2-4 minutes.
- Chop or shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and add it back into the skillet with the gravy. Let it simmer for a few minutes until heated and nicely combined.
Serving
- Serve the spicy chicken and gravy over white rice, mashed potatoes, or biscuits. Garnish with extra Cajun seasoning or parsley if you’d like.
Notes
Adjust the spice level by modifying the amount of Cajun seasoning according to your taste. For a richer flavor, consider using homemade chicken broth. Make sure to pat the chicken dry before seasoning to get a nice golden brown color when cooking.