The Ultimate Easy Crockpot Chicken and Gravy: A Comforting Family Dinner Recipe
Crockpot Chicken and Gravy – dinner doesn’t get much easier or more satisfying than this! Enjoy unbelievably creamy, comforting, and fork-tender chicken cooked to perfection in a rich, savory gravy.
There are some recipes that stand the test of time, becoming beloved family favorites for generations. This Crockpot Chicken and Gravy recipe is undoubtedly one of them. It’s an incredibly simple dish to prepare, yet it consistently delivers a warm, comforting, and utterly delicious meal every single time. The magic of the slow cooker transforms ordinary chicken breasts or thighs into incredibly tender, juicy morsels, bathed in a flavorful gravy that no one at your dinner table will be able to resist. On those hectic weeknights when time is a precious commodity, a reliable crockpot chicken recipe like this one can truly be a lifesaver. Get ready, because this dish is about to become a regular fixture in your meal rotation!
One of the biggest appeals of Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy is its unparalleled ease. From start to finish, you’re looking at a mere 5 minutes of active preparation. Once your ingredients are combined, your trusty crockpot takes over, doing all the heavy lifting while you go about your day. This makes it an ideal solution for those days when you need a hearty, homemade meal but simply don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Even better, all the components required for this dish are typically pantry staples, meaning you likely already have most of what you need on hand. No special trips to the grocery store required!
While your savory chicken and gravy are simmering to perfection, did you know your crockpot can also whip up a delightful dessert? These Crockpot Brownies are an incredible midweek treat that requires minimal effort, leaving you with more time to relax and enjoy your family.
Essential Ingredients for Your Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
Before you dive into cooking, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients. For the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card with exact measurements, be sure to scroll to the very bottom of this post!
- Chicken Breasts: We recommend boneless, skinless chicken breasts for ease and quick shredding. However, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are also an excellent choice, offering a slightly richer flavor and even more moisture. Just ensure they are thawed for food safety and optimal texture.
- Chicken Gravy Packets: These convenient packets form the base of our incredibly savory gravy, ensuring a rich, consistent flavor without much fuss.
- Chicken Broth: Using low-sodium chicken broth gives you better control over the overall saltiness of your dish. It helps thin the gravy mixture to the perfect consistency for slow cooking.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: This classic ingredient adds a luscious creaminess and depth of flavor that is characteristic of comforting, homestyle meals. If you prefer a homemade option, see our tips below!
- Garlic Powder: A foundational spice that infuses the gravy with a subtle, aromatic garlic flavor, enhancing the overall savory profile.
- Paprika: Adds a touch of warmth and a beautiful, gentle color to the gravy. You can use sweet or smoked paprika, depending on your preference.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning both the chicken and the gravy, bringing all the flavors into balance. Always season to taste.
- Sour Cream: Stirred in at the end, sour cream provides a wonderful tang and an extra layer of velvety creaminess, making the gravy truly irresistible.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken & Gravy
Creating this delicious Crockpot Chicken and Gravy couldn’t be simpler. Follow these easy steps for a truly rewarding meal:
- Prepare the Gravy Base: In the base of your slow cooker, combine the contents of the chicken gravy packets, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, garlic powder, paprika, and a good pinch of salt and black pepper. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until the mixture is completely smooth and no lumps remain. This ensures an even, rich gravy texture later on.
- Season and Add Chicken: Lightly season your boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs) on both sides with a little extra salt and pepper. This helps build flavor directly into the meat. Gently nestle the seasoned chicken pieces into the prepared gravy mixture, ensuring they are mostly submerged to cook evenly and absorb all those wonderful flavors.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Secure the lid tightly on your crockpot. Cook the chicken on the LOW setting for 3-4 hours. The cooking time can vary slightly depending on your specific slow cooker and the thickness of your chicken. The most important thing is to cook until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165º F (74º C) when checked with a meat thermometer. Avoid lifting the lid too often, as this releases heat and prolongs cooking time.
- Enhance the Gravy: Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the crockpot and set it aside on a cutting board or plate. Stir the sour cream into the hot gravy mixture remaining in the slow cooker until it is fully incorporated and the gravy takes on a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Shred and Combine: Using two forks, easily shred the tender chicken into bite-sized pieces. Once shredded, return the chicken back into the crockpot, tossing it gently to coat it completely in the rich, creamy gravy.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your delicious Crockpot Chicken and Gravy is now ready to be served! It’s absolutely perfect over fluffy mashed potatoes or steaming Jasmine rice, allowing the gravy to be fully savored.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
This hearty and flavorful Crockpot Chicken and Gravy is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes. Here are some of our top recommendations to complete your meal:
- Mashed Potatoes: The absolute classic pairing! Creamy mashed potatoes are ideal for soaking up every last drop of that delicious gravy. Try our Jalapeño Cheddar Mashed Potatoes for a kick, or keep it simple with classic garlic mashed.
- Jasmine Rice: Light and fluffy Jasmine rice provides a wonderful base, offering a milder flavor that lets the rich chicken and gravy shine. Brown rice is also a great healthy alternative.
- Baked Potatoes: A fluffy baked potato, split open and smothered with chicken and gravy, makes for a complete and satisfying meal. Top with a dollop of extra sour cream or chives.
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts: For a touch of green and a slightly bitter contrast, roasted Brussels sprouts (especially with bacon and balsamic!) offer a fantastic balance to the richness of the dish.
- French Dinner Rolls: Soft, warm dinner rolls are perfect for mopping up any leftover gravy on your plate.
- Butter Swim Biscuits: These incredibly tender and easy-to-make biscuits are another excellent choice for soaking up gravy, adding a touch of Southern comfort.
- Steamed Green Beans or Asparagus: Simple, lightly seasoned green vegetables offer a fresh counterpoint to the rich gravy.
Expert Tips for Thickening Your Gravy
Sometimes, especially if your chicken is extra juicy or if you’ve added moisture-rich vegetables, your gravy might end up a bit thinner than desired. Don’t worry, it’s a common occurrence and super easy to fix! Achieving that perfect, luscious gravy consistency usually takes just about 10 extra minutes of cooking time.
- Prepare a Slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 Tablespoons of cold water with 2 Tablespoons of cornstarch until you have a smooth, lump-free paste (a ‘slurry’). Using cold water prevents the cornstarch from clumping.
- Incorporate and Cook: Once your chicken is shredded and back in the crockpot, slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the gravy mixture while stirring continuously.
- Simmer to Thicken: Replace the lid and let the gravy cook for approximately 10 more minutes on low. The heat will activate the cornstarch, causing the gravy to thicken beautifully.
After about 10 minutes, your gravy should have reached a lovely, thick consistency, ready for serving. If you prefer a flour-based thickener, you can create a similar slurry with equal parts flour and cold water.
Enhance Your Meal: Can I Add Vegetables to My Crockpot Chicken and Gravy?
Yes, absolutely! Adding vegetables is a fantastic way to make this crockpot meal even more wholesome and create a complete one-pot dinner. The key is to choose vegetables that cook relatively quickly or have a texture that benefits from slow cooking, ensuring they are tender by the time your chicken is done. For best results, add most vegetables during the last 1-2 hours of cooking on low, or at the start if they are root vegetables that need more time.
- Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms add an earthy depth and soak up the gravy beautifully. Add them at the beginning for a softer texture, or during the last hour for a bit more bite.
- Green Beans: Fresh or frozen green beans can be added during the last hour of cooking to ensure they are tender-crisp, adding color and freshness.
- Carrots: Diced or sliced carrots add a touch of sweetness and vibrant color. Add them at the beginning with the chicken, as they require longer cooking to soften.
- Sweet Corn: Canned or frozen corn kernels can be stirred in during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a burst of sweet flavor and texture.
- Potatoes: Small, diced potatoes (like Yukon Gold or red potatoes) can be added at the start of cooking for a true one-pot main course and side combo.
Pro Tips & Tricks for Perfect Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
Mastering your slow cooker can elevate your cooking game. Here are some invaluable tips and tricks to ensure your Crockpot Chicken and Gravy turns out perfectly every time:
- Always Use Thawed Chicken: For safety and best results, always start with thawed chicken in your slow cooker recipes. The slow cooking process can keep frozen chicken in the “danger zone” temperature range for too long, promoting bacterial growth. Thawing overnight in the fridge is the best approach.
- Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup Alternative: Not a fan of canned condensed soup? You can absolutely make this recipe with homemade cream of chicken soup! Check out our recipe for Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup and use it as a flavorful substitute. It adds an extra layer of fresh, savory goodness.
- Avoid Overcooking Chicken: Chicken cooks relatively quickly, even on a low heat setting in some crockpots. Overcooked chicken can become dry and stringy, which is a common complaint. Start checking the internal temperature after 3 hours. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165º F (74º C), then remove it. You can always let the gravy simmer a bit longer if needed.
- Resist the Urge to Peek: Every time you lift the lid of your slow cooker, you release a significant amount of heat, which can extend the cooking time by 20-30 minutes. Trust the process and only check when necessary.
- Customize with Herbs: Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley can add a wonderful aromatic touch. Stir them in during the last 30 minutes of cooking or sprinkle them on top as a garnish before serving.
- Adjust Consistency to Your Liking: If you prefer an even thicker gravy than what the cornstarch slurry provides, you can remove some of the gravy after the chicken is out and reduce it on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired consistency.
The recipe specifically calls for boneless, skinless chicken breasts, which are a fantastic choice for their lean protein and ease of shredding. However, you can absolutely use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. Chicken thighs tend to be a bit more forgiving in the slow cooker, staying incredibly juicy and tender due to their slightly higher fat content, which can also add a richer flavor to the gravy. If you opt for bone-in chicken or chicken with skin, be aware that the cooking time will increase significantly, and you might want to remove the skin before serving for a smoother gravy texture.
No, it is highly recommended to start with thawed chicken for this and most other slow cooker recipes. According to the USDA, placing frozen chicken directly into a slow cooker is generally unsafe for food safety reasons. The slow cooking process means the chicken takes a prolonged period to reach a safe cooking temperature (above 140°F or 60°C), allowing bacteria to multiply rapidly during that time. Furthermore, from a culinary perspective, starting with frozen chicken often results in an unevenly cooked product – the outside might be overcooked and dry by the time the center is safely cooked through. To ensure both safety and delicious results, always transfer your chicken from the freezer to the refrigerator the night before you plan to cook, allowing it to thaw completely.
Absolutely! If you have a beloved homemade gravy recipe, feel free to use it as the base for this dish. For best results, you will want to prepare approximately 2 cups of your homemade gravy. Since slow cookers retain moisture, you might need to thin your homemade gravy slightly with a little extra chicken broth before pouring it over the chicken to ensure it’s the right consistency for simmering. Follow the rest of the recipe instructions, and if you find your gravy needs to be thicker before serving, refer to our ‘How Can I Thicken My Gravy’ tips section above for easy adjustments.
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers of this delicious Crockpot Chicken and Gravy, they store wonderfully! Transfer the cooled chicken and gravy into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, you have a couple of easy reheating options:
- Stovetop: Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly warmed through. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth or water if the gravy has thickened too much in the fridge.
- Microwave: For individual portions, place the chicken and gravy in a microwave-safe dish. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
- Freezing: This dish also freezes well! Place cooled chicken and gravy in a freezer-safe, airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Discover More Effortless Crockpot Recipes
If you love the convenience and flavor of slow cooker meals, you’re in the right place! Here are more fantastic crockpot recipes from our kitchen that are perfect for busy days and comforting dinners:
- Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Slow Cooker Pork Roast
- Crockpot Potato Soup
- Slow Cooker Pork Chops
- Mississippi Chicken
Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 2 packages chicken gravy mix
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions
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In the base of your crockpot, whisk together chicken gravy packets with cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, garlic powder, paprika, and salt & black pepper until smooth and fully combined.
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Season chicken breasts lightly with additional salt and pepper, then nestle them into the gravy mixture, ensuring they are partially submerged.
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Place the lid on your slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165º F (74º C).
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Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the crockpot. Stir the sour cream into the gravy mixture until well blended and creamy.
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Using two forks, shred the tender chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and gently toss to coat it thoroughly in the rich gravy.
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Serve your delicious Crockpot Chicken and Gravy immediately over your favorite sides like rice or mashed potatoes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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