Ingredients
The following ingredients have 5 Servings
- 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (like Slap Ya Mama)
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter, divided
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth or stock
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley, optional
Instruction
- Heat oil and one tablespoon butter in a heavy, deep skillet or pot over medium high heat.
- Season chicken generously, or to taste, with Cajun seasoning and black pepper. Quickly sear on both sides; remove to a plate to reserve juices.
- Deglaze pan with a splash of water and pour over the chicken. In that same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over low heat and stir in the brown sugar until well combined.
- Increase heat back to medium high and return chicken to the skillet top (skin) side down. Cook until chicken is caramelized on one side, about 3 to 4 minutes; remove chicken and set aside; top side up.
- Add enough water to pan to deglaze and stir in remaining butter to skillet.
- Add onion, bell pepper and celery to the skillet, cooking over medium about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook another minute.
- Stir in flour, cook, stirring constantly 2 minutes, then begin stirring in the chicken broth a little at a time until fully incorporated.
- Bring to boil, lower heat and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to reduce and thicken; stir in parsley, if using.
- Reduce heat to a low simmer, returning chicken to the pot. Turn to coat and leave top side up. Cover and simmer over low for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and reaches 170 degrees F on an instant read thermometer, stirring around a few times to prevent sticking.
- Add additional chicken broth and reduce heat, only if liquid is reducing too much. Total cook time will depend on the size of the chicken thighs; don't overcook.
- Spoon pan sauce over plated chicken and serve with cornbread, rice and butter beans and a green veggie or salad.