In today’s fast-paced world, it’s often difficult to find the time to prepare a wholesome, comforting meal. But imagine a dinner that’s incredibly easy to prepare, requires minimal effort, and is ready by the time you’re home after a busy day. This Crockpot Chicken & Gravy recipe fits the bill perfectly! Tender, juicy chicken is slow-cooked in a rich and flavorful gravy, and served over steaming rice for a meal that the whole family will love. Not only is it an ideal weeknight dinner, but it’s also a great meal to serve when entertaining guests or preparing for a potluck. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, this dish is a guaranteed winner.
Let’s dive into the details of making this simple, comforting, and delicious Crockpot Chicken & Gravy.
Ingredients đź›’
To make this Crockpot Chicken & Gravy, you’ll need just a few pantry staples, making it a budget-friendly meal as well. Here’s a breakdown of everything you’ll need:
For the Chicken & Gravy:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (3-4 pieces): The chicken breasts are the star of the dish, and using boneless and skinless breasts makes the recipe simple and low-maintenance. These breasts become incredibly tender and juicy as they cook slowly in the crockpot.
- Unsalted cream of chicken soup (1 can, 10.5 oz): This canned soup serves as the base for the gravy. It adds richness and creaminess to the sauce, ensuring your dish has that classic comforting flavor.
- Chicken gravy mix (2 envelopes, 0.87 oz each): The gravy mix is what gives this dish its savory depth and enhances the overall flavor profile. You can opt for a low-sodium version if you’re watching your salt intake, or choose a seasoned gravy mix for added flavor.
- Water or chicken broth (½ cup): This liquid helps create the right consistency for the gravy, ensuring it’s not too thick or too runny. If you prefer a more robust flavor, chicken broth is a great choice as it will enhance the chicken taste.
- Hot steamed rice (for serving): This dish is traditionally served over steaming white rice, but you can also opt for brown rice, quinoa, or mashed potatoes for a different twist.
Instructions 🍴
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by placing the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot. These breasts will cook low and slow, absorbing all the flavors of the gravy mixture while staying juicy and tender. You don’t need to worry about cutting or seasoning the chicken beforehand; the gravy and soup will do most of the flavor work.
Step 2: Add the Cream of Chicken Soup
Next, open a can of unsalted cream of chicken soup and spoon it over the chicken breasts. Spread it out evenly to cover the chicken. This creamy base is what will create that smooth, flavorful gravy that coats both the chicken and the rice.
Step 3: Stir in the Gravy Mix
Take two envelopes of chicken gravy mix and sprinkle them over the top of the soup. Don’t stir it yet—just let the powder sit on top for now. The gravy mix will thicken and season the liquid, giving it that savory, rich flavor we all love in chicken and gravy dishes.
Step 4: Add the Liquid (Optional)
To ensure the gravy achieves the perfect consistency, pour in ½ cup of water or chicken broth. If you’re looking for a more flavorful and slightly richer gravy, chicken broth is the better option. Stir everything together once the liquid is added. The soup and gravy mix will combine with the liquid to create the base of your gravy, while the chicken simmers in it, soaking up all the goodness.
Step 5: Slow Cook the Dish
Cover the crockpot with the lid and set it to cook. Let it cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through. You’ll know the chicken is done when it easily shreds with a fork. If you’re short on time, you can cook it on high for 2-3 hours instead, but the low setting allows the chicken to become even more tender and flavorful.
Step 6: Shred the Chicken
Once the chicken is fully cooked and tender, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the crockpot. It should fall apart easily. If you prefer a smoother consistency, you can also use a hand mixer to shred the chicken right in the pot. Stir the shredded chicken into the gravy mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated.
Step 7: Serve Over Steaming Rice
Prepare your rice while the chicken is cooking. You can use any type of rice you prefer—white, brown, jasmine, or even quinoa. Once the rice is cooked, spoon the creamy chicken and gravy mixture over the top. The rice soaks up the delicious gravy, making each bite an indulgent treat.
Tips for Perfect Crockpot Chicken & Gravy 🍴
While this recipe is straightforward, there are a few tips to ensure it turns out perfectly every time:
- Use fresh chicken: For the best flavor and texture, always use fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Frozen chicken can be used, but it may require a longer cooking time to reach the desired tenderness.
- Adjust the gravy consistency: If you prefer a thicker gravy, you can let the dish cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes to allow some of the liquid to evaporate. Alternatively, for a thinner gravy, you can add a bit more broth or water.
- Add vegetables: To make the dish more hearty, you can add some chopped vegetables, like carrots, potatoes, or peas, to the crockpot. These vegetables will absorb the flavors of the gravy and cook along with the chicken.
- Season to taste: The gravy mix will add a lot of flavor, but feel free to adjust the seasoning to your preference. Add a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, or a splash of Worcestershire sauce to enhance the depth of flavor.
- Make it a freezer meal: If you’re meal prepping for later, this dish can be made ahead and frozen. Simply combine all the ingredients in a freezer-safe bag or container, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to cook it, thaw it overnight in the fridge and cook as usual.
Variations and Serving Suggestions 🍚🍴
This Crockpot Chicken & Gravy is incredibly versatile. Here are a few variations to make it your own:
- Crockpot Chicken & Gravy with Mashed Potatoes: Instead of rice, serve the chicken and gravy over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes for a classic comfort food twist.
- Add Mushrooms: Sautéed mushrooms are a wonderful addition to this dish. Add them to the crockpot in the last 30 minutes of cooking for an earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with the gravy.
- Crockpot Chicken & Gravy with Biscuits: For a Southern-inspired meal, serve the chicken and gravy over fluffy biscuits instead of rice. The biscuits will soak up the delicious gravy, making each bite a savory delight.
- Spicy Chicken & Gravy: If you like a little heat, sprinkle some red pepper flakes or add a splash of hot sauce to the gravy mix for a spicy kick.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️
- Minimal Prep: The beauty of this Crockpot Chicken & Gravy is that it requires very little hands-on time. Simply throw the ingredients in the crockpot, and let it do the work while you go about your day.
- Comforting and Hearty: There’s something incredibly comforting about chicken smothered in gravy, especially when it’s paired with a steaming bowl of rice. This dish is perfect for cozy dinners or when you’re craving something warm and satisfying.
- Customizable: Whether you prefer adding vegetables, experimenting with spices, or switching up your grains, this recipe is highly customizable to your taste preferences.
- Great for Busy Days: This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prepping, or even for a large family dinner. It’s easy to scale up or down, and the leftovers taste just as good the next day!
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Chicken & Gravy is everything you want in a meal: easy, comforting, and delicious. With just a few ingredients, you can create a dish that’s not only full of flavor but also incredibly tender and juicy. Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner or making it ahead for meal prep, this recipe is sure to become a household favorite. So, gather your ingredients, plug in your crockpot, and let the slow cooking magic happen—it’s time to enjoy a truly comforting meal!
