Smith's Smothered Chicken with Herb-Infused Gravy
Tender chicken breasts smothered in a rich tomato-herb gravy with caramelized onions, finished with a hint of fresh thyme. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs (6 oz each) boneless chicken breasts, extra-virgin olive oil, medium, thinly sliced yellow onions for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) boneless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 medium, thinly sliced yellow onions
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 3: Add sliced onions to the same skillet and cook for 8-10 minutes over medium heat until deeply caramelized and translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then whisk in 3 tbsp flour to form a paste.
- Step 5: Gradually pour in 1 cup chicken broth while whisking constantly, then add 1 cup diced tomatoes and 2 tbsp fresh thyme. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 6: Return chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes on low heat until chicken is cooked through.
- Step 7: Remove chicken, keep warm, and simmer the sauce uncovered for 3-4 minutes to reduce and intensify flavor. Serve sauce over chicken.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smith's Smothered Chicken with Herb-Infused Gravy take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Smith's Smothered Chicken with Herb-Infused Gravy?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep extra-virgin olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smith's Smothered Chicken with Herb-Infused Gravy?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Smith's Smothered Chicken with Herb-Infused Gravy for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Smith's Smothered Chicken with Herb-Infused Gravy?
American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.