Here’s a Chef Ed Southern Soul Classic — tender soul food chicken smothered in that rich, slow-simmered Southern-style sauce, paired with creamy mac and cheese, seasoned green beans, and fluffy yellow rice. Straight-up comfort with full-on flavor.

Chef Ed’s Soul Food Chicken Plate

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Soak Time: None
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 2-4 plates of pure soul satisfaction

Ingredients

For the Soul Food Chicken:

  • 6–8 bone-in chicken thighs or legs
  • 1/2 cup flour (for dusting)
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
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  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Mac & Cheese:

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
  • 1 cup whole milk
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  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • Salt, pepper, pinch of nutmeg

For the Green Beans:

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  • 3 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1/4 onion, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt, pepper, and a splash of chicken broth

For the Yellow Rice:

  • 1 cup long grain rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
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  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp butter

Instructions

Soul Food Chicken:

  1. Dust chicken with flour, salt, and pepper. Brown in a large skillet with oil until golden. Remove and set aside.
  2. In the same pan, sauté onion, garlic, and bell pepper until soft.
  3. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire, broth, paprika, and cayenne. Simmer 5 minutes.
  4. Return chicken to pan. Cover and simmer 45–50 minutes until tender and flavorful.

Mac & Cheese:

  1. Cook macaroni, drain, and set aside.
  2. In a pot, melt butter. Stir in milk, cream, beaten egg, and cheese. Season well.
  3. Add pasta, stir, and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Green Beans:

  1. Cook bacon in a skillet until crisp. Add onion and garlic; sauté 2 minutes.
  2. Add green beans, season, and splash in broth. Cover and simmer 10–15 minutes.

Yellow Rice:

  1. In a saucepan, combine rice, broth, turmeric, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and butter.
  2. Bring to boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer 18–20 minutes.

Chef Ed Tip:
Let the chicken simmer in that sauce until it nearly falls off the bone. That’s soul food done right.

 

 

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