Chicken is a great meat because it can be transformed in nearly any cuisine. This list includes some of the best southern recipes featuring chicken. From cream-based sauces to pulled barbecue and fried chicken, we've covered plenty of options to keep your kitchen humming.
Check out some of these classic southern chicken dishes when you want to give your weeknight dinner an upgrade.
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1. Grandma's Southern-style chicken n' dumplings (h/t The Grateful Girl Cooks)
You start with a whole chicken and end with a bowl of chicken and dumplings. And the dumplings... you'll make those from scratch. Even with the little extra work, this dish is ready to eat in less than two hours.
You start with a whole chicken and end with a bowl of chicken and dumplings. And the dumplings... you'll make those from scratch. Even with the little extra work, this dish is ready to eat in less than two hours.
2. Parmesan baked chicken (h/t The Southern Lady Cooks)
This recipe is a family favorite. My kids gobble it up like crazy (they like the cracker-based crust). The yogurt adds flavor and thickness to the coating, so it sticks to the chicken better.
This recipe is a family favorite. My kids gobble it up like crazy (they like the cracker-based crust). The yogurt adds flavor and thickness to the coating, so it sticks to the chicken better.
3. Southern chicken and sausage stew
Southern cooks don’t mess around when it comes to stew. The recipe below is a perfect example. It starts with a roux, which is a mixture of fat and flour that is cooked until it turns brown and gives off a nutty aroma. That’s the backbone of the dish’s flavor profile. Meaty chicken and smoky sausage make it thick and satisfying. Get the full recipe here.
Southern cooks don’t mess around when it comes to stew. The recipe below is a perfect example. It starts with a roux, which is a mixture of fat and flour that is cooked until it turns brown and gives off a nutty aroma. That’s the backbone of the dish’s flavor profile. Meaty chicken and smoky sausage make it thick and satisfying. Get the full recipe here.
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4. Chicken and rice (h/t She Wears Many Hats)
Simple, classic southern at it's finest. The chicken and rice are allowed to speak for themselves in this memory-inducing favorite. The trick to mastering this recipe is cooking the chicken until it's tender enough to fall off the bone.
Simple, classic southern at it's finest. The chicken and rice are allowed to speak for themselves in this memory-inducing favorite. The trick to mastering this recipe is cooking the chicken until it's tender enough to fall off the bone.
5. Southern-style chicken and waffles
Very few things in life are better than Southern-style chicken and waffles. Let me tell you why. First, it's a texture thing. The waffles are soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside, just like a good piece of fried chicken. Then, there are all the flavors. The waffles soak up all the sweetness from the maple syrup, which presents a stark contrast to the super savory flavors of the fried chicken. Get the recipe here.
Very few things in life are better than Southern-style chicken and waffles. Let me tell you why. First, it's a texture thing. The waffles are soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside, just like a good piece of fried chicken. Then, there are all the flavors. The waffles soak up all the sweetness from the maple syrup, which presents a stark contrast to the super savory flavors of the fried chicken. Get the recipe here.
6. Spicy southern chicken spaghetti (h/t Delightful-Delicious-Delovely)
This version of chicken spaghetti is a little on the spicy side (it includes chilies, sriracha, and red pepper) but you can quickly tame it down with more soup or by eliminating the hot sauce. Pro tip: when reheating the next day, add a little milk and more melted cheese for extra moisture.
This version of chicken spaghetti is a little on the spicy side (it includes chilies, sriracha, and red pepper) but you can quickly tame it down with more soup or by eliminating the hot sauce. Pro tip: when reheating the next day, add a little milk and more melted cheese for extra moisture.
7. Southern Cajun chicken mac and cheese
Cajun seasoning is versatile, going with just about anything. From Cajun-flavored chowder to macaroni and cheese, this seasoning blend will work perfectly with almost any dish. All you need to do to spice up favorite dishes is to throw in a few teaspoons. Get the full recipe here.
Cajun seasoning is versatile, going with just about anything. From Cajun-flavored chowder to macaroni and cheese, this seasoning blend will work perfectly with almost any dish. All you need to do to spice up favorite dishes is to throw in a few teaspoons. Get the full recipe here.
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8. Southern queso smothered chicken skillet
Did you grow up eating smothered chicken? It really doesn't get much better than tender and juicy chicken, swimming in a savory gravy. Well, actually, it can get better - turn that gravy into cheesy queso sauce. Get the full recipe here.
Did you grow up eating smothered chicken? It really doesn't get much better than tender and juicy chicken, swimming in a savory gravy. Well, actually, it can get better - turn that gravy into cheesy queso sauce. Get the full recipe here.
9. Slow cooker barbecue chicken (h/t Dine&Dash)
Barbecue chicken and the south go together like cookies and milk. This recipe is perfect for creating a tender pulled chicken. Your slow cooker will do most of the hard work but plan on letting the meat cook for at least six hours.
Barbecue chicken and the south go together like cookies and milk. This recipe is perfect for creating a tender pulled chicken. Your slow cooker will do most of the hard work but plan on letting the meat cook for at least six hours.
10. Buttermilk fried chicken
Southern buttermilk fried chicken is an all-American classic. However, you might not always have the time to whip up grandma’s super-secret recipe. When you need a quick pick-me-up that tastes like summers in the South, here’s a weeknight, simple but delicious, buttermilk fried chicken recipe. Get the full recipe here.
Southern buttermilk fried chicken is an all-American classic. However, you might not always have the time to whip up grandma’s super-secret recipe. When you need a quick pick-me-up that tastes like summers in the South, here’s a weeknight, simple but delicious, buttermilk fried chicken recipe. Get the full recipe here.
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