The Best Ever Southern Style Stewed Chicken & Rice

Stewed chicken and rice is a timeless Southern comfort food that has found its way into the hearts and kitchens of many families. The dish is not only packed with flavors, but it’s also versatile and easy to make, making it perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. If you’re looking to recreate an authentic Southern meal with tender, flavorful chicken simmered in a savory broth and served with fluffy rice, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will explore the best-ever Southern style stewed chicken and rice recipe, perfect for any occasion.

Understanding Stew Chicken and Rice Recipes

When we talk about stew chicken and rice recipes, we refer to a dish that combines chicken with rice, cooked in a broth that’s rich in flavor. While there are many variations of stewed chicken, Southern style stewed chicken and rice has a special place in many homes due to its deep, flavorful profile. It’s comfort food at its best, using simple ingredients that come together to create something magical. This dish often uses stew chicken thighs, stew chicken wings, or chicken drumsticks, which are slow-cooked to perfection in a savory sauce, creating tender, juicy meat that pairs wonderfully with the rice.

Ingredients for Southern Style Stewed Chicken & Rice

To make the best-ever Southern style stewed chicken and rice, you’ll need the following ingredients:

4-6 bone-in chicken thighs (you can also use wings or drumsticks)
1 cup long-grain white rice
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 bell peppers (green or red), chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped (or 1 can of diced tomatoes)
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup water
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Optional Ingredients:

1 cup frozen peas or mixed vegetables
1 tablespoon hot sauce (for a bit of spice)
1 teaspoon of sugar (to balance acidity in tomatoes)

These ingredients will provide a hearty, flavorful base for your dish and deliver a true Southern experience.

How to Make Stew Chicken

To prepare your Southern style stewed chicken and rice, follow these steps:

Season the Chicken:
Begin by seasoning the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, oregano, and garlic powder. You can marinate them for 30 minutes to an hour if you have time, but it’s not required.
Brown the Chicken:
Heat the vegetable oil and butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs and brown them on both sides. This step will help lock in the flavors and create a nice crispy skin. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
Sauté the Vegetables:
In the same pot, add the chopped onions, garlic, and bell peppers. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables become tender and fragrant. If you like, you can also add a teaspoon of sugar at this stage to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
Add the Tomatoes:
Add the chopped tomatoes or diced tomatoes from the can to the pot. Stir and cook for another 3 minutes until the tomatoes break down slightly. If you’re using fresh tomatoes, you can mash them with a spoon to help them cook down.
Pour in the Broth and Rice:
Now, pour in the chicken broth and water. Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the rice, and stir to combine. Make sure the rice is well distributed in the liquid. Once the broth comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low.
Return the Chicken to the Pot:
Add the browned chicken thighs back into the pot, nestling them into the rice mixture. Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice has absorbed all the flavors. During the cooking process, make sure to check if the liquid needs topping up, as rice tends to absorb a lot of the broth.
Add Optional Ingredients:
If you want to add peas or mixed vegetables, now is the time to stir them in. You can also drizzle in some hot sauce if you prefer a spicy kick. Stir the mixture well and cover the pot again, allowing everything to cook for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Final Touches:
Once the chicken is fully cooked and the rice is tender, check the seasoning and adjust with salt, pepper, or any extra spices as needed. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and flavor.

The Magic of One-Pot Cooking

What makes this recipe stand out is that it’s a one-pot chicken drumstick recipe. One-pot meals are often a lifesaver, especially on busy weeknights or when you want to keep cleaning up to a minimum. Since everything cooks together in one pot, the rice absorbs the chicken’s flavors, and the chicken becomes more tender as it stews in the rich broth. This type of cooking also ensures that you get a harmonious blend of flavors from the meat, the vegetables, and the seasoning.

Slow Cooker Stewed Chicken

If you prefer to use a slow cooker for an even easier version of this dish, you can follow these steps for slow cooker stewed chicken:

Brown the Chicken:
Brown the chicken thighs (or wings) in a skillet over medium heat. While this step is optional, it helps to develop a deeper flavor.
Add to Slow Cooker:
Place the browned chicken, sautéed onions, garlic, bell peppers, and tomatoes into your slow cooker. Add the chicken broth, water, and rice. Stir well to combine.
Cook on Low:
Set the slow cooker to low and cook for about 6-7 hours. The chicken will be fall-off-the-bone tender, and the rice will soak up all the delicious flavors.
Final Touches:
Once the cooking time is up, give everything a final stir. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve hot with your favorite side dish.

Stew Chicken Thigh Recipes: The Versatility of Stew Chicken

While this recipe features chicken thighs, you can easily adapt it to use other cuts of chicken. Stew chicken thighs are ideal for this dish because of their richness and tenderness, but you can also use stew chicken wings recipes or chicken drumsticks. Both of these cuts will work beautifully in the slow-simmered broth.

When using stew chicken wings recipes, you’ll get a slightly different flavor and texture because wings are smaller and have more skin, which adds richness to the dish. On the other hand, one-pot chicken drumstick recipes will also deliver a hearty, flavorful meal with juicy chicken and fluffy rice. The key to making the best stewed chicken is to choose a cut that works for your taste preference, but thighs are often the most popular for their combination of tenderness and flavor.

Tips for Making the Perfect Stewed Chicken and Rice

Use Bone-In Chicken: Bone-in chicken adds more flavor to the broth. While boneless chicken may be more convenient, the bones give the stew its rich, deep flavor.
Don’t Skip the Browning Step: Browning the chicken thighs before stewing them helps to lock in flavor and creates a richer, more complex dish. It’s worth the extra step.
Let the Dish Rest: Once you’ve finished cooking, allow the dish to sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the rice settle and allows the flavors to meld.
Adjust the Liquids: If you prefer a creamier consistency, you can add a splash of heavy cream or a tablespoon of butter towards the end of cooking. Just make sure to adjust the broth and water amounts accordingly.

Final Thoughts

This Southern style stewed chicken and rice recipe is a family favorite that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re making it on the stovetop or in the slow cooker, the result is a rich, flavorful meal that’s sure to satisfy. With tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a savory broth, it’s a dish that embodies the warmth and heart of Southern cooking. If you’re looking for an easy stewed chicken recipe that delivers on both taste and comfort, this is the one to try!

Enjoy making your stew chicken and rice recipes! Whether you’re using stew chicken thighs, wings, or drumsticks, this Southern favorite will never disappoint.