Mama's Picks

Smothered Southern Grits

Time: 50 minutes

Yield: 2 servings

About

If you're looking for a hearty taste of the South, well then, you're in the right place. Smothered Southern Grits is good, down-home cookin'. You get to enjoy some cheesy grits piled high with a big scoop of Cajun-seasoned chicken and veggies. It's just like momma makes 'em but with a little flare. Get the good stuff with Smothered Southern Grits!


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Ingredients

  • For the chicken and the vegetables:
  • 2 (4-ounce) chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness
  • Cajun or Creole seasoning, to taste
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 small green bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 ounces mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • For the parmesan grits:
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • salt, to taste
  • 1/2 cup quick-cooking corn grits, such as Bob's Red Mill® Corn Grits
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • green onions, to taste, sliced, for garnish

Directions

Step 1 -Generously season each of the chicken breasts on both sides with the Cajun seasoning, the salt, and the pepper.

Step 2 -Coat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet with nonstick cooking spray, then place it over high heat.

Step 3 -Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the heated skillet and sear until they are golden-brown, about 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer them to a plate. Note: It is okay for the meat not to be cooked through.

Step 4 -In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of the butter and the oil and heat until the butter has melted.

Step 5 -Add the bell peppers, the onions, the mushrooms, the salt, and the pepper to the butter mixture and sauté, stirring frequently, until the veggies are caramelized and tender, about 6-7 minutes.

Step 6 -Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and evenly top them with the veggies.

Step 7 -Add 1 1/2 cups of the chicken broth to the chicken mixture and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring often, until the liquid is reduced by a little more than half and the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Step 8 -While the chicken mixture is cooking, in a saucepan over high heat, add the remaining chicken broth and the salt and bring to a boil.

Step 9 -Add the grits to the boiling chicken broth and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, whisking constantly, until it has thickened but is still creamy and smooth, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 10 -Transfer the saucepan from the heat. Stir the parmesan cheese and the remaining butter into the grits.

Step 11 -Taste the grits and season with the salt, as needed. Stir to combine.

Step 12 -Evenly scoop the grits into serving bowls, then top with the chicken mixture.

Step 13 -Evenly drizzle the sauce from the skillet over each of the serving bowls.

Step 14 -Serve garnished with the green onions.

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