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Flavorful Cajun Smothered Chicken Recipe with Bell Peppers and Onion Gravy Made Easy

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A quick and easy Cajun smothered chicken dish featuring juicy chicken thighs, caramelized onions, bell peppers, and a rich onion gravy with a mild to medium spicy kick.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or breasts)
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups sliced bell peppers (red, green, and yellow)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: hot sauce or extra cayenne pepper for more heat

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season generously with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let rest for 10 minutes.
  2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken skin-side down and sear for 5-6 minutes until golden and crisp. Flip and cook 3 more minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add sliced onion and bell peppers to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and caramelized, about 8-10 minutes. Add minced garlic in the last 2 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle flour over the veggies and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes to cook out raw flour taste and thicken the base.
  5. Slowly pour in chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Scrape up browned bits from the pan. Bring to a simmer and let gravy thicken for about 5 minutes.
  6. Nestle seared chicken back into the gravy, skin-side up. Cover and simmer gently on low for 20 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  7. Taste gravy and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and hot sauce if desired. Let sit covered off heat for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Use an instant-read thermometer to avoid overcooking chicken. Stir constantly when adding flour to avoid lumps. Scrape browned bits (fond) for extra flavor. Adjust spice level with hot sauce or cayenne. Frozen bell peppers can be used if fresh are unavailable but will be less crunchy. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch slurry.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken, smothered chicken, bell peppers, onion gravy, spicy chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Southern cooking

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/flavorful-cajun-smothered-chicken-recipe-with-bell-peppers-and-onion-gravy-made-easy/