EASY SMOTHERED CHICKEN RECIPES

Steps:

• For the chicken: Add the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, a nice pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper to a medium bowl. Stir to distribute. Add the chicken thighs and toss to coat. Let sit in the bowl.
• For the gravy: Add the butter and flour to a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir together with a wooden spoon and cook, stirring, until a deep brown color but not burning, about 6 minutes. Add the onions, Dijon, thyme, paprika and garlic and stir to coat. Slowly add the stock and stir. Raise the heat to a simmer and cook until thickened like gravy. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
• Add the oil to a large pan over medium-high heat. When it begins to swirl, shake the excess flour off the chicken and add to the pan. Sear on both sides, 6 to 8 minutes per side, then place in the gravy and simmer, covered, to complete cooking, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.
• Cover potatoes and garlic with water by 1 inch in a large pot. Bring to a boil, add salt and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well.
• Put the potatoes and garlic back in the pot and cook over low heat to evaporate the rest of the water. Mash in the butter with a potato masher. Add the heavy cream in stages until the desired consistency is reached. Season with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• Put a few tablespoons cooking oil (I use canola) and a couple of tablespoons butter into a skillet. Sauté the mushrooms, green pepper, onion, and garlic in butter/oil mixture until tender.
• Flatten the chicken, if desired; sprinkle with desired seasonings.
• Place the chicken into the pan.
• Cover with the vegetables and let simmer until chicken is cooked through.
• Note: You can also remove the vegetables while you're cooking the chicken and then when chicken is done, simply throw everything back onto the tops of chicken breasts. The choice is yours.
• Add shredded cheese or large slices of cheese.
• Cover with lid just long enough to melt cheese down through the vegetables and onto the chicken. (My favorite cheese to use is the pepper jack... mmm!)
• Makes 6 servings. Do not freeze.
• Serve with your favorite sides. Hint: To make this a little less fattening, try grilling your chicken on the outdoor grill and saute your vegetables in fry pan on top of stove as in recipe. Then continue with rest of recipe.