Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy Recipe

Sink your fork into Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy, and you’ll know true weeknight comfort! Tender chicken slow-cooked in a rich, creamy gravy with just enough savory spices—this is the kind of soul-warming dinner that’s as easy as it is irresistible.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

It only takes a handful of kitchen staples to create Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy, but each ingredient is carefully chosen to maximize flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one matters:

• Water: The perfect base for dissolving your gravy mix and thinning out the gravy just enough so it’s lush, not gloopy.
• Chicken gravy mix packets: Quick and foolproof, they build savory, robust flavor in a flash.
• Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup: Adds velvety body and a creamy backbone—don’t dilute, or you’ll miss out on richness!
• Garlic powder: Boosts the savoriness and brings gentle warmth to every bite.
• Kosher salt: Enhances flavor without overpowering, so the chicken and gravy both shine.
• Paprika: For a sweet-smoky depth and a subtle hint of golden color in your sauce.
• Coarse ground black pepper: Gives a mild background heat and complements the gravy perfectly.
• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: These cook up juicy and tender in the gravy, soaking up all that goodness.
• Sour cream: Whisked in at the end for a gentle tang and an irresistibly creamy finish.

Variations

One of my favorite things about Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy is how versatile it is! You can easily swap ingredients or tweak it to suit your tastes or what’s already in your pantry.

• Use Chicken Thighs: Swap out the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless thighs for even more juiciness and flavor.
• Make It Dairy-Free: Substitute a dairy-free sour cream or plain unsweetened coconut yogurt for a creamy finish without the dairy.
• Herb It Up: Add a teaspoon of dried thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning for a fresh herbal twist.
• Add Veggies: Toss in sliced mushrooms, carrots, or frozen peas in the final hour for extra color and nutrition.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

Step 1: Season the Chicken

Start by generously seasoning your chicken breasts with the garlic powder, black pepper, and kosher salt. This ensures every bit of chicken is flavorful—don’t skip this step since it infuses the meat from the inside out during slow cooking.

Step 2: Make the Gravy Mixture

In the slow cooker, whisk together the water, both chicken gravy packets, condensed cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, salt, paprika, and pepper. This will dissolve those packet seasonings and smooth out the condensed soup, creating a luscious gravy base that’s ready to cradle your chicken.

Step 3: Add and Coat the Chicken

Lay the seasoned chicken breasts into the slow cooker and flip them over once or twice, making sure every side is fully coated with the creamy gravy mixture. This helps lock in moisture and amps up the flavor in every bite!

Step 4: Slow Cook to Tender Perfection

Cover and cook your chicken on low for 4 to 5 hours. The slow, gentle heat will transform the chicken into something unbelievably juicy and fork-tender, with all those flavors melding beautifully together.

Step 5: Finish with Sour Cream and Serve

Once the chicken is done, carefully remove it and shred or slice it as you prefer. Whisk the sour cream into the hot gravy until silky and smooth, then pour it back over the chicken. Now, get ready to serve up the ultimate comfort food feast!

How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

Garnishes

Don’t underestimate a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives over your Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy—those pops of green brighten up the rich sauce and add a hint of freshness. A crack of extra black pepper on top right before serving also takes it over the top.

Side Dishes

This chicken and gravy begs to be spooned over a fluffy bed of mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles—seriously, the sauce is just too good to waste! On the side, think simple: steamed green beans, roasted carrots, or even a crisp green salad round out the meal perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, try shredding the chicken and piling it on split buttermilk biscuits for a cozy Southern-inspired sandwich, or scoop it into toasted bread bowls for an easy crowd-pleaser. You can even use leftovers as a savory filling for baked potatoes or pot pie—so many ways to enjoy!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy keeps beautifully. Just transfer cooled chicken and extra gravy to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen as it sits, making tomorrow’s lunch something to look forward to!

Freezing

This recipe is almost tailor-made for freezing! Cool completely, then portion chicken and gravy into freezer-safe bags or containers. It’ll keep well for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating—so handy for meal prep.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm the chicken and gravy gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. If the sauce thickens too much in the fridge, just splash in a little water or milk as you go. The microwave works too—just use short bursts and stir halfway through for even heating.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a dinner that tastes like a warm hug, Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy will absolutely fit the bill. It’s simple enough for a Monday but special enough to share, and I can’t wait for you to make it part of your comfort food rotation.

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