Easy Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy is a simple, comforting dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners. With minimal prep time and a rich, savory flavor, this dish is as easy to make as it is delicious. Chicken breasts or thighs are cooked slowly in a creamy, flavorful gravy made with chicken broth and seasoning, resulting in juicy chicken and a velvety sauce that pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, rice, or vegetables. This recipe is sure to become a go-to for any occasion when you need a hearty, satisfying meal without the fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
1. Effortless to Make
The beauty of this recipe lies in how little effort is needed. Just toss the ingredients into the Crock Pot, set it, and let the slow cooker do the work.
2. Tender, Juicy Chicken
Slow cooking the chicken ensures that it turns out incredibly tender and juicy. The flavors meld together beautifully as the chicken cooks in its own juices and the savory gravy.
3. Minimal Ingredients
This recipe uses just a few simple ingredients, making it easy to prepare even when you’re low on time or ingredients. You likely already have everything you need in your pantry!
4. Versatile
The chicken and gravy can be served over mashed potatoes, rice, or even pasta, making it an incredibly versatile dish that can be tailored to your preferences.
5. Perfect for Meal Prep
This recipe makes a great meal prep option, as it can be stored in the refrigerator for several days and reheated easily. You can even freeze the leftovers for a future meal.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Chicken broth
- Cream of chicken soup
- Onion soup mix
- Garlic powder
- Ground black pepper
Variations
- Use Bone-In Chicken: You can use bone-in chicken pieces for a deeper flavor. Just be sure to remove the bones before serving.
- Add Veggies: Toss in some vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or peas to make it a one-pot meal.
- Dairy-Free Version: Replace the cream of chicken soup with a dairy-free alternative, such as a dairy-free cream of mushroom soup or coconut milk, for a dairy-free version.
- Herbs: Add fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley for an extra layer of flavor.
- Spicy Version: If you like a bit of heat, add some red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the gravy.
How to Make the Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into the bottom of your Crock Pot. No need to brown the chicken beforehand—just put it in raw.
Step 2: Mix the Gravy
In a separate bowl, mix together the chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, onion soup mix, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir well to combine and ensure there are no lumps.
Step 3: Pour the Gravy Over the Chicken
Pour the gravy mixture over the chicken in the Crock Pot, making sure the chicken is well-covered by the sauce.
Step 4: Slow Cook
Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. If you’re short on time, you can cook it on high for 3-4 hours, but low cooking will give you the best results.
Step 5: Shred the Chicken (Optional)
Once the chicken is done, you can leave it whole or shred it. If you prefer shredded chicken, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the Crock Pot. Stir the shredded chicken into the gravy.
Step 6: Serve
Serve the chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or your favorite side dish. Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use Chicken Thighs for More Flavor: If you’re looking for extra flavor, chicken thighs are a great alternative to chicken breasts. They stay juicy and flavorful when slow-cooked.
- Check the Chicken Early: Depending on your Crock Pot, cooking times may vary. Check the chicken around 5 hours if cooking on low to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
- Make It Creamier: For a creamier gravy, you can add a dollop of sour cream or cream cheese to the gravy mixture.
- Double the Recipe: This recipe is easily doubled if you need to feed a larger crowd. Just ensure your Crock Pot is big enough to hold all the ingredients.
How to Serve
This Crock Pot chicken and gravy is delicious served with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. It also pairs well with steamed veggies like green beans, broccoli, or carrots. For a full meal, add a side salad or crusty bread to soak up the gravy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover chicken and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Freezing
This recipe freezes well! Once cooled, transfer the chicken and gravy to a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken and gravy in a saucepan over medium heat, or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. Add a little extra broth if needed to thin out the gravy.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen chicken in this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but the cooking time may increase slightly. Be sure to check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
2. Can I use a different type of soup?
Yes, you can substitute the cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup for a slightly different flavor.
3. Can I make this recipe with bone-in chicken?
Yes, bone-in chicken can be used, but it will require a longer cooking time. Be sure to remove the bones before serving.
4. Is this recipe gluten-free?
The ingredients in this recipe may not be gluten-free, depending on the brand of cream of chicken soup and onion soup mix you use. Look for gluten-free versions of these products to make the recipe gluten-free.
5. Can I add vegetables to the Crock Pot?
Yes, you can add carrots, potatoes, or peas to the Crock Pot for a more complete meal. Just make sure to cut them into small pieces for even cooking.
6. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe. They stay juicy and flavorful when slow-cooked, and they add a richer flavor to the dish.
7. Can I cook this recipe on high heat?
Yes, you can cook this on high for 3-4 hours if you’re short on time, but cooking it on low for 6-7 hours yields the best results for tender, juicy chicken.
8. Can I add more seasoning to the gravy?
Yes, feel free to add extra seasonings like thyme, rosemary, or garlic powder to enhance the flavor of the gravy.
9. How do I make this recipe dairy-free?
Use a dairy-free cream of mushroom soup or a non-dairy milk and a thickening agent like cornstarch to make this recipe dairy-free.
10. Can I double this recipe?
Yes, this recipe can easily be doubled. Just make sure your Crock Pot is large enough to accommodate the additional ingredients, and adjust the cooking time if necessary.
Conclusion
This Easy Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy recipe is the perfect solution for a comforting, hassle-free dinner. With tender chicken, rich gravy, and minimal ingredients, it’s a dish that everyone will love. Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this easy recipe will quickly become a staple in your meal rotation. Just set it and forget it—let the Crock Pot do all the hard work while you enjoy a warm, satisfying meal!
PrintEasy Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy Recipe
- Total Time: 6-7 hours (depending on cooking time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Easy Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy is the ultimate comfort food! Tender chicken breasts slow-cooked in a flavorful gravy make for a simple yet delicious meal. Perfect for busy nights, this dish requires minimal prep and produces a rich, savory gravy that pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, rice, or vegetables. The best part? It practically cooks itself!
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 packet (1 oz) onion soup mix
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or water)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your Crock Pot. - Mix the Gravy Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, combine the ranch seasoning mix, onion soup mix, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and garlic powder (if using). Stir until smooth and well combined. - Pour the Gravy Over the Chicken:
Pour the gravy mixture over the chicken breasts in the Crock Pot, making sure the chicken is evenly covered. - Cook the Chicken:
Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or until the chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork. If you’re short on time, you can cook on high for 3-4 hours, but the low and slow cooking method gives the best results. - Shred the Chicken (Optional):
Once the chicken is cooked through and tender, remove the chicken breasts from the Crock Pot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the gravy and stir to combine. If you prefer, you can leave the chicken breasts whole. - Serve:
Serve the chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or your favorite side dish. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
- You can add vegetables such as carrots or potatoes to the Crock Pot for a complete meal.
- For extra flavor, you can stir in a tablespoon of sour cream or cream cheese at the end to make the gravy even creamier.
- This recipe can easily be doubled for larger families or gatherings.
- If you have leftovers, store the chicken and gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (on low) or 3-4 hours (on high)
- Category: Dinner, Crock Pot, Comfort Food
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American