30/08/2025
Cajun Smothered Chicken with Brown Gravy
🐔 Cajun Smothered Chicken with Brown Gravy
🛒 Ingredients
For the Chicken:
3–4 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks (or a whole chicken cut up)
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (see homemade blend below)
Salt & black pepper to taste
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
1/4 cup vegetable oil or bacon grease (for frying)
For the Gravy (Roux-Based):
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup oil or chicken drippings
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped (green is traditional)
2 ribs celery, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
3–4 cups chicken stock (low sodium)
1 bay leaf
A few dashes of hot sauce (like Louisiana Hot Sauce or Crystal)
Optional: 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
🌶️ Homemade Cajun Seasoning:
Mix and store in a jar:
1 tbsp paprika (regular or smoked)
1 tsp cayenne (more if you like heat!)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp white pepper
1 tsp salt
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Season & Dredge Chicken
Rinse and pat chicken dry.
Season generously with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Lightly dredge in flour—shake off excess.
2. Brown the Chicken
Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Brown chicken in batches, 4–5 minutes per side until golden. Don’t cook through—just sear.
Set aside on a plate. Leave about 1/4 cup of drippings in the pan.
3. Make the Roux
Lower heat to medium. Add 1/4 cup flour to the oil.
Stir constantly, cooking until roux is a deep brown—like the color of a Hershey bar (10–15 minutes).
Be patient—don't burn it!
4. Build the Gravy
Add chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery (the “Holy Trinity”).
Cook 5–7 minutes until soft and aromatic.
Stir in garlic, cook 1 more minute.
5. Deglaze & Simmer
Slowly add chicken stock while stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
Add bay leaf, hot sauce, and Worcestershire (if using).
Bring to a simmer and let thicken slightly, about 5–10 minutes.
6. Smother That Chicken
Return browned chicken to the pot. Spoon gravy over the pieces.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45–60 minutes, until chicken is tender and juicy.
Uncover in the last 10 minutes if you want to thicken the gravy more.
🍚 Serve With:
Steamed white rice (a must!)
Potato salad (yes, some Cajuns put it on top the rice)
Cornbread or French bread for soppin’
Collard greens, smothered okra, or green beans on the side