Introduction: The Smell of Home
I remember coming home from school on chilly autumn days, and the moment I opened the door, the warm, savory aroma of my mom’s cooking would wrap around me like a hug. One of my absolute favorite smells was her crockpot chicken and gravy. It meant a cozy evening, a happy family, and a plate piled high with creamy, delicious comfort food. This recipe is my version of that memory – a simple, heartwarming dish that I hope brings as much joy to your table as it did to mine.
What’s Special About This Crockpot Chicken and Gravy Recipe?
This isn’t just any chicken and gravy recipe. It’s designed for busy weeknights, picky eaters, and anyone who craves a classic comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Quick Prep: Seriously, you can have this ready to go in the slow cooker in under 10 minutes!
- Versatility: Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or even biscuits. It’s a blank canvas for your favorite sides.
- Family-Friendly: Even the fussiest little ones tend to love the tender chicken and creamy gravy.
- Health Benefits/Nutrition:
- Protein Powerhouse: Chicken is a fantastic source of lean protein, essential for building and repairing tissues, supporting muscle growth, and keeping you feeling full and satisfied.
- Vitamins & Minerals: Depending on the gravy ingredients you choose, you can get a good dose of vitamins (like B vitamins from chicken broth) and minerals (like selenium from the chicken).
- Comfort Food with Control: Using a crockpot allows you to control the ingredients and sodium levels, making it a healthier option compared to many store-bought or restaurant versions.
- Emphasis of the quick preparation: Preparing this meal will help improve on your time, making the day easier.
- Recipe versatility: Chicken is extremely beneficial since is one the foods you can add to almost every food recipe.
Basic Ingredients: Simple Goodness
Here’s what you’ll need to make this deliciousness happen:
- Chicken Breasts (about 1.5 – 2 pounds):Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for this recipe. They cook evenly and shred easily.
- Substitution: You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a richer flavor.
- Cream of Chicken Soup (1 can, 10.5 ounces): This forms the base of the creamy gravy.
- Substitution: Cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup can be used for a slightly different flavor. For a healthier option, try making a homemade cream sauce using milk, flour, and chicken broth.
- Chicken Broth (1 cup): Adds moisture and enhances the chicken flavor.
- Substitution: Vegetable broth can be used, or even water in a pinch (though the flavor won’t be as rich).
- Dry Onion Soup Mix (1 packet): This adds a boost of savory onion flavor.
- Substitution: You can use a combination of dried minced onion, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Salt and Black Pepper (to taste): Essential for seasoning!
- Substitution: Use garlic salt or seasoned salt instead of plain salt for extra flavor.
Needed Tools and Equipment:
To make this Crockpot Chicken and Gravy recipe perfectly, having the right tools is key. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need, designed to motivate you to get these essentials:
- Crock-Pot 6-Quart Slow Cooker – A good slow cooker is the heart of this recipe. It ensures your chicken cooks evenly and stays incredibly moist, developing a rich, deep flavor over hours without any effort from you. Buy Now
- Meat Thermometer – This is crucial for checking the chicken’s internal temperature, guaranteeing it’s cooked thoroughly to a safe 165°F (74°C). It’s your best bet for juicy, perfectly cooked chicken every time. Buy Now
- Shredding Claws – These make shredding the chicken super easy and fun. They’re much more efficient than using two forks, saving you time and effort. Buy Now
- Large Mixing Bowl – Useful for mixing the gravy ingredients before adding them to the crockpot, ensuring everything is well combined for a smooth, lump-free sauce. Buy Now
- Whisk. Whisk is a type of kitchen utensil that blends ingredients into a smooth, fluffy mass Buy Now
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Step-by-Step Instructions: Easy as 1-2-3!
- Prep the Crockpot: Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or a little bit of butter. This helps prevent sticking.
- Layer the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Mix the Gravy: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, dry onion soup mix, salt, and pepper until well combined. Pro Tip: Make sure the soup mix is fully dissolved to avoid any clumps in your gravy.
- Pour and Cook: Pour the gravy mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Set It and Forget It: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. Pro Tip: For the most tender chicken, I recommend the low and slow method!
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked through (it should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)), use two forks (or those handy shredding claws!) to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Pro Tip: Shredding the chicken while it’s still warm makes it much easier!
- Stir and Serve: Stir the shredded chicken into the gravy until it’s well coated.
Assembly and Serving: Presentation Perfection
- Classic Comfort: Spoon the chicken and gravy over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color.
- Rice Delight: Serve over steamed white or brown rice. Add a side of steamed green beans or broccoli for a complete meal.
- Noodle Nirvana: Ladle the creamy chicken and gravy over egg noodles. This is my personal favorite!
- Biscuit Bliss: For a truly Southern comfort food experience, serve over warm, freshly baked biscuits.
- Creative presentations: Serve it inside the pot with a hot pad below to make it the centerpiece.
Storage/Prep-Ahead Tips:
How to Store?
- Refrigeration: Leftover chicken and gravy can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the chicken and gravy in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Shelf Life: Consume refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days, and frozen leftovers within 2-3 months for the best quality.
How to Prepare?
- Prep Ingredients in Advance: You can whisk together the gravy mixture (cream of chicken soup, broth, onion soup mix, salt, and pepper) the night before and store it in the refrigerator.
- Pre-chop Vegetables: If you’re adding any vegetables (like carrots or celery), you can chop them ahead of time and store them in an airtight container.
- Assemble in the Morning: Place the chicken and pre-made gravy mixture in the slow cooker in the morning, so it’s ready to cook when you get home.
Recipe Variations: Spice It Up!
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the gravy mixture for a little heat.
- Low-Carb Option: Serve the chicken and gravy over cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower instead of traditional starches.
- Herb-Infused: Add fresh or dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage to the gravy for a more complex flavor.
- Extra-cream flavor Adding extra butter when cooking to enhance its flavor.
- Cheesy Flavors: Add a cup of cheese to make it more flavorous.
Recipe History/Cultural Background: A Classic Comfort
Chicken and gravy is a quintessential comfort food dish with roots in many cultures around the world. It’s a staple in Southern American cuisine, often associated with Sunday dinners and family gatherings. The simplicity of the ingredients and the slow cooking method likely evolved from a time when home cooks needed to make the most of what they had, turning inexpensive cuts of meat into flavorful, satisfying meals. The use of a slow cooker (or crockpot) is a more modern adaptation, allowing for hands-off cooking that fits perfectly into today’s busy lifestyles.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Here are some common questions about crockpot chicken and gravy:
- Can I use frozen chicken breasts? While it’s generally recommended to thaw chicken before using it in a slow cooker, you can use frozen chicken breasts in a pinch. Just increase the cooking time by 1-2 hours on low (or 30-60 minutes on high) and always ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- My gravy is too thin. What can I do? If your gravy is too thin, you can thicken it by whisking together a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water. Stir this slurry into the gravy and cook on high for another 15-20 minutes, or until thickened.
- My gravy is too thick. What can I do? If your gravy is too thick, simply stir in a little extra chicken broth (or water) until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Can I add vegetables to this recipe? Absolutely! Carrots, celery, potatoes, and mushrooms are all great additions. Add them to the slow cooker along with the chicken.
- Can I make this recipe on the stovetop? Yes, you can! Brown the chicken in a large pot, then add the gravy ingredients and simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Shred the chicken and serve.
- Is this recipe gluten-free? The recipe as written is not gluten-free due to the cream of chicken soup and onion soup mix. However, you can easily make it gluten-free by using gluten-free versions of these ingredients.
- Can I use different type of pot Absolutely, chicken can be prepared in a wide variety of cookware.
- Can I make the gravy from the start: Sure, start the chicken with a low simmer and then build the sauce on top.
If you like these recipes:
Try this Crockpot Chicken and Gravy recipe tonight! It’s the perfect way to bring a little comfort and warmth to your home. Share your results in the comments below, or tag us on Pinterest! We can’t wait to see your creations. Let me know what is your favorite. Bon appétit.
Best Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
Learn how to make the best, easiest crockpot chicken and gravy! A comforting, family-friendly meal ready with minimal effort. Perfect weeknight dinner!
Equipment
- Crock-Pot 6-Quart Slow Cooker
- Meat Thermometer
- Shredding Claws
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
Chicken and Gravy
- 1.5-2 pounds Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1.5-2 pounds Boneless, skinless chicken thighs substitution for richer flavor
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) Cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup substitution
- homemade cream sauce using milk, flour, and chicken broth. For healthier option, try substitution
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 1 cup Vegetable Broth substitution
- 1 packet Dry Onion Soup Mix
- Dried minced onion, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt substitution
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- garlic salt or seasoned salt instead of plain salt for extra flavor.
Instructions
- Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or a little bit of butter. This helps prevent sticking.
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, dry onion soup mix, salt, and pepper until well combined. Make sure the soup mix is fully dissolved to avoid any clumps in your gravy.
- Pour the gravy mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. For the most tender chicken, I recommend the low and slow method!
- Once the chicken is cooked through (it should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)), use two forks (or those handy shredding claws!) to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Shredding the chicken while it’s still warm makes it much easier!
- Stir the shredded chicken into the gravy until it’s well coated.
Notes
Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or biscuits. Many variations and additions are possible, including adding vegetables, spices, or herbs.