Wet Chicken
Wet Chicken is a comforting dish featuring tender, flavorful chicken simmered in its own gravy, enriched with simple ingredients. Perfect for family dinners, it pairs well with rice or potatoes, offering a hearty and satisfying meal that highlights classic Southern comfort food flavors.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Wash and cut the chicken into pieces.
- Lightly salt and pepper the chicken, then dredge in flour.
- Place shortening into a frypan over medium heat.
- Brown the chicken in the frypan.
- Transfer browned chicken to a large pot with a lid.
- Pour remaining drippings from the frypan over the chicken.
- Cover the chicken with water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
- Remove the chicken from the pot.
- The gravy will have formed naturally in the pot.
- Serve the chicken with the gravy poured over rice or potatoes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a crispier texture, let the dredged chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before frying. You can substitute the shortening with vegetable oil or butter for added flavor. To enhance the seasonings, try adding garlic powder or paprika to the flour. This dish pairs well with sides like Hoppin Black-Eyed Peas or Cream Of Carrot Soup (Creme Crecy) for a complete meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the wet chicken over a bed of fluffy rice or creamy mashed potatoes, allowing the gravy to soak in. For a balanced meal, accompany it with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad. This dish is perfect for family gatherings or comforting weeknight dinners, and it pairs beautifully with Chicken Continental for a delightful spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover chicken and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water if necessary to maintain moisture. Avoid reheating in the microwave, as it can dry out the chicken.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Wet Chicken contains roughly 891 calories, with 21g protein, 138g carbohydrates, and 27g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (47% of the Daily Value) and protein (42% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 643mg per serving (28% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with extra gravy?
Extra gravy can be frozen for later use. Just let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be used to enhance other dishes like mashed potatoes or poured over biscuits for a delicious breakfast option.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).