Sylvias Smothered Chicken Recipes

SYLVIA'S SMOTHERED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Trim the excess fat from the chicken pieces and sprinkle them with 1 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper.
• Season 2 cups of the flour with the remaining salt and pepper; dredge the chicken in the flour until coated on all sides (shake off any excess flour).
• Over medium heat, heat the oil in a heavy deep skillet (cast-iron is best) until the edge of a chicken piece dipped into the oil gives off a lively sizzle.
• Add as many chicken pieces into the skillet as you can, but make sure the pieces do not touch.
• Fry until the chicken pieces are browned on all sides, about 6 minutes; adjust the heat as necessary during frying to keep a lively sizzle without overbrowning.
• Remove the fried chicken to drain and repeat with the remaining pieces.
• When all the chicken pieces have been fried, pour off all but 4 tablespoons of drippings from the skillet, reduce the heat to medium, and add the onions, peppers, and celery to the skillet.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, until brown and tender, about 10 minutes.
• Move the vegetables to one side of the skillet and sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of flour over the other side of the skillet; cook the flour until golden brown, stirring constantly--be careful not to let the flour burn.
• Slowly pour in the water and stir until the gravy is smooth.
• Divide the chicken between two heavy skillets with lids or place them all in a large heavy Dutch oven.
• Top with the gravy and vegetables; cover tightly.
• Simmer over low heat until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes.
• Check the seasoning and add salt and pepper as necessary.
• Serve, spooning some of the gravy and vegetables over each piece of chicken; pass the extra gravy.

LISSA'S SMOTHERED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken breast in 9 x 13 pan.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Top with onions, green pepper, and mushrooms.
• Place 3 bacon strips on each breast.
• Bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until chicken and bacon are done.
• Remove from oven and top each breast with one slice of cheese.
• Let sit untill cheese is melted and serve.

SYLVIA'S SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In plastic bag, combine salt, 1 teaspoon of the black pepper, and the garlic powder.
• Sprinkle over the chicken and let stand at least 20 minutes (but overnight in the refrigerator is better).
• Place flour, the remaining 1/4 tsp. black pepper and paprika in a plastic bag.
• Add the seasoned chicken and shake until each piece is covered with flour.
• In a large skillet, heat oil over high heat, add chicken pieces and reduce heat to medium.
• Cook for 7 to 10 minutes or until chicken is nicely browned on the bottom.
• Turn and cook on the other side for another 7 to 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
• Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels before serving.

SYLVIA'S SMOTHERED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Trim the excess fat from the chicken pieces and sprinkle them with 1 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper.
• Season 2 cups of the flour with the remaining 1 tablespoon each of salt and pepper.
• Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour until coated on all sides.
• Shake off any excess flour.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a heavy deep skillet (cast-iron is perfect) over medium heat until the edge of a chicken piece dipped into the oil gives off a lively sizzle. Add as many chicken pieces to the skillet 4 as will fit without touching.
• Fry until the pieces are browned on all sides, about 6 min utes.
• Adjust the heat as necessary during frying to keep a lively sizzle without over-browning.
• Remove the fried chicken to drain and repeat with the remaining pieces.
• Pour off all but 4 tablespoons of drippings from the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and add the onions, peppers, and celery to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until brown and tender, about 10 minutes.
• Move the vegetables to one side of the skillet and sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of flour over the other side of the skillet. Cook the flour until golden brown, stirring constantly.
• Be careful not to let the flour burn.
• Slowly pour in the water and stir until the gravy is smooth.
• Divide the chicken between two heavy skillets with lids or place them all in a large heavy Dutch oven.
• Top with the gravy and vegetables and cover the skillets or Dutch oven tightly.
• Simmer over low heat until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes.
• Check the seasoning and add salt and pepper as necessary .
• Serve the chicken, spooning some of the gravy and vegetables over each piece. Pass extra gravy.