Soothing Southern Comfort
Indulge in the heartwarming flavors of the South with "Soothing Southern Comfort," a rich and satisfying chicken stew topped with buttery, golden biscuits. This comforting dish combines tender, seared chicken thighs, smoky bacon, and a medley of aromatic vegetables, all simmered in a creamy chicken broth infused with thyme and bay leaves. The addition of heavy cream lends a luscious texture, while freshly baked biscuits provide the perfect fluffy accompaniment. Garnished with crumbled bacon and fresh parsley, this cozy recipe is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Ideal for family dinners or gatherings, this easy-to-follow recipe is sure to become a staple for anyone craving the ultimate comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
- 6 slices smoked bacon
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 2 large carrots
- 3 celery stalks
- 3 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 8 canned biscuits
- 2 tbsp parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Heat a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the bacon slices and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the bacon, crumble, and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
Season the chicken thighs with a pinch of salt and pepper. In the same pot with the bacon fat, sear the chicken thighs on both sides until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.
Add the butter to the pot and let it melt. Stir in the chopped onion, diced carrots, and sliced celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables soften.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to coat evenly. Cook for 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Return the seared chicken thighs to the pot, along with the bay leaves, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cover the pot and simmer gently for 25-30 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through and the flavors to meld.
While the chicken simmers, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the canned biscuits according to the package instructions. Set the baked biscuits aside.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and shred it using two forks. Discard the bay leaves.
Stir the shredded chicken and heavy cream into the pot. Let it simmer for 5 more minutes to heat through and thicken slightly.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot by ladling the creamy chicken mixture into bowls and topping with a warm biscuit. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon and fresh parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3409 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 179.3 g | 230% | |
| Saturated Fat | 69.9 g | 350% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 760 mg | 253% | |
| Sodium | 4605 mg | 200% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 215.9 g | 79% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 11.4 g | 41% | |
| Total Sugars | 20.9 g | ||
| Protein | 205.3 g | 411% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.2 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 296 mg | 23% | |
| Iron | 17.8 mg | 99% | |
| Potassium | 2200 mg | 47% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
