Anita Bakers Smothered Chicken Recipes

ANITA BAKER'S SMOTHERED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large heavy skillet set over medium heat.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper, rubbing it into the skin.
• Add chicken, skin-side down to the skillet; cook, turning once, until well browned. Remove and set aside.
• Melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter in the same skillet.
• Sprinkle in flour and cook, whisking constantly, until golden brown.
• Add onion and cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
• Whisk in chicken broth; bring to a boil.
• Return chicken to skillet. Cook, partially covered, until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened.
• Transfer to a serving platter; garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.

BAKED SMOTHERED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Season chicken with salt, pepper & garlic. Place pieces skin side down, one layer deep in a shallow baking pan lined with foil. Dribble the melted butter over the chicken, distributing well. Close foil tightly. Place in 450°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until chicken is slightly brown.
• While baking, use this time to blend together water & flour until smooth; set aside.
• Remove chicken from oven; tilt pan and blend into the drippings the water/flour mix. Gravy will start to thicken. Stir it around over bottom of pan and turn chicken, then salt & pepper chicken.
• Return to oven and reduce heat to 350°F and bake 45 - 60 minutes.
• Baste once or twice, adding a little boiling water if gravy has cooked down low before chicken is done. serve with rice or mashed potatoes.

EMERIL'S BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Season the chicken all over with the Essence and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Place the 1/2 cup flour in a small bowl, and quickly dredge both sides of each thigh in the flour, shaking to remove any excess. Set aside.
• Heat 1 teaspoon of the olive oil in a 10- to 12-inch flameproof casserole or saute pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter, and when it has melted, place the chicken, skin side down, in the pan. Brown for 2 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the pan, and when it has melted, add the onions, garlic, thyme bundle or rosemary sprigs, remaining 1/2 teaspoon then whisk in the chicken stock and increase the heat to high. Return the chicken, skin side down, to the pan, and bring the stock to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan with a heavy, tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Uncover the pan, stir the bottom of the pan to prevent scorching, and turn the chicken skin side up. Cover the pan, and simmer for 20 minutes longer.
• Stir the bottom of the pan a final time, re-cover, and simmer for 20 more minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and discard the herb bundle or rosemary sprigs. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Add the parsley to the sauce, stir to combine, and then spoon the sauce over the chicken. Serve with steamed white rice.