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Carolina Chicken Bog Recipe

A classic Lowcountry comfort dish made with tender shredded chicken, smoky sausage, and perfectly seasoned rice cooked in a rich homemade broth. Creamy, hearty, and deeply flavorful, this one-pot Southern recipe is easy enough for weeknights yet impressive enough for gatherings. Every bite is warm, cozy, and irresistibly savory.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken 3–4 lbs
  • 12 cups water
  • 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice
  • 1 lb smoked sausage sliced
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1 ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley optional

Method
 

  1. Place the whole chicken in a large pot with 12 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer gently for 1 hour until the meat pulls apart easily.
  2. Remove the chicken and strain the broth to keep it clear. Let the chicken cool, then remove skin/bones and shred the meat.
  3. In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook 3–4 minutes until lightly browned. Add diced onion and sauté 4–5 minutes until soft.
  4. Pour the strained broth back into the pot. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, bay leaf, and paprika.
  5. Stir in the rice and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the shredded chicken back into the pot.
  6. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and cook 20–25 minutes until the rice is tender and the bog is creamy. Avoid stirring too much to prevent mushiness.
  7. Remove bay leaf, rest 10 minutes, and garnish with parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Long-grain rice is essential for maintaining the classic Chicken Bog texture—avoid short-grain varieties.
  • If the bog becomes too thick, stir in a splash of water or broth before serving.
  • For extra smokiness, use andouille sausage or add ¼ tsp smoked paprika.
  • This recipe thickens as it cools; add liquid when reheating to restore creaminess.