Easy Crockpot Chicken and Gravy

Tender shredded chicken smothered in rich, velvety gravy that practically melts in your mouth with each savory bite. Easy Crockpot Chicken and Gravy is the ultimate comfort food that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. This set-it-and-forget-it meal transforms simple ingredients into a hearty, homestyle dish that will have everyone asking for seconds. You’ll learn how to create this satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal with just minutes of prep time, letting your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy Crockpot Chicken and Gravy is the definition of effortless cooking without sacrificing flavor. The slow cooking process allows the chicken to become incredibly tender, practically falling apart when touched with a fork, while simultaneously developing deep, complex flavors that taste like you’ve been cooking all day.

The contrast between the juicy, succulent chicken and the smooth, savory gravy creates a perfect texture balance that satisfies with every bite. There’s something magical about walking into your home after a busy day to the aroma of this homestyle meal waiting for you.

What truly sets this slow cooker chicken and gravy apart is its versatility. Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles for a complete meal that adapts to your family’s preferences. Plus, with just a handful of common ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep time, it’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you still want to serve something homemade and delicious.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds (900g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 packets (0.87 oz each) chicken gravy mix
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 1½ cups (360ml) chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

The boneless chicken breasts provide a lean protein base that becomes incredibly tender during the slow cooking process. The combination of gravy mix and cream of chicken soup creates that thick, velvety gravy texture that makes this crockpot chicken with gravy so comforting.

Pro Tips

Choose the Right Chicken: While this recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you can substitute with chicken thighs for even juicier results. Thighs have more fat, which means more flavor and moisture in the final dish. Either option works beautifully in this easy crockpot chicken recipe.

Don’t Skip the Searing: For an enhanced flavor profile, take an extra 5 minutes to sear the chicken breasts before adding them to the slow cooker. This optional step creates a beautiful caramelization that adds depth to the entire dish. Simply heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear each side of the chicken for 1-2 minutes until golden brown.

The Low and Slow Method: While it may be tempting to cook on high to save time, this dish truly benefits from cooking on low heat. The extended cooking time allows the chicken to become incredibly tender and gives the flavors time to meld together perfectly. If you must use the high setting, check the chicken after 3 hours to prevent overcooking.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Gravy Base
In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken gravy packets, cream of chicken soup, and chicken broth until smooth. Make sure to break up any lumps for a perfectly smooth gravy. This base will infuse the chicken with flavor while creating that delicious sauce you’ll want to spoon over everything.

Step 2: Season the Chicken
Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer. Sprinkle evenly with the garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, black pepper, and salt. These seasonings will infuse into the meat as it cooks, ensuring flavor in every bite of your crockpot chicken and gravy.

Step 3: Add the Gravy Mixture
Pour the prepared gravy mixture over the seasoned chicken, ensuring all pieces are covered evenly. Dot the top with the small pieces of butter, which will melt during cooking and add richness to your gravy.

Step 4: Set It and Forget It
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken is done when it’s tender enough to shred easily with two forks and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Step 5: Shred the Chicken
Once the cooking time is complete, use two forks to shred the chicken right in the slow cooker. The meat should pull apart effortlessly. Stir the shredded chicken back into the gravy, ensuring it’s well-coated with the delicious sauce. If the gravy seems too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish
Serve your easy crockpot chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor. The contrast between the herb garnish and the rich, creamy gravy makes for a beautiful presentation.

Variations

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Gravy: Transform this classic into a creamy garlic lover’s dream by adding 4 minced garlic cloves instead of garlic powder, then stirring in ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese and ¼ cup of heavy cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This variation adds a luxurious richness that pairs perfectly with pasta.

Herb Garden Chicken and Gravy: Elevate the flavor profile with fresh herbs by adding a bouquet of fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage tied together with kitchen twine to the slow cooker (remove before serving). In the last 15 minutes, stir in 2 tablespoons each of chopped fresh parsley and chives for a bright, garden-fresh twist on this slow cooker chicken and gravy.

Mushroom Chicken and Gravy: For mushroom lovers, substitute cream of mushroom soup for the cream of chicken soup and add 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms (baby bella or white button work well) at the beginning of the cooking time. The mushrooms will release their flavor into the gravy, creating an earthy, robust variation of the original recipe.

Storage and Serving

Easy Crockpot Chicken and Gravy stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth if the gravy has thickened too much during storage.

For a complete meal, serve this dish over fluffy mashed potatoes, which provide the perfect base to soak up all that delicious gravy. For a lighter option, try serving over cauliflower mash or alongside roasted vegetables. Another classic pairing is egg noodles or rice, both of which complement the creamy texture of the gravy.

Turn this into a complete comfort food experience by adding a side of warm dinner rolls for dipping into the extra gravy, and a simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette to balance the richness of the main dish. For special occasions, a glass of buttery Chardonnay pairs wonderfully with the savory flavors of this chicken dish.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe?
While it’s generally not recommended to use frozen meat in a slow cooker for food safety reasons, you can use frozen chicken if you cook it on high for the first hour, then reduce to low for the remaining cooking time. Add an additional hour to the total cooking time.

My gravy is too thin. How can I thicken it?
If your gravy is thinner than desired, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry. Stir this into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking with the lid off, or simmer on high until thickened.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Simply omit the butter and use a dairy-free cream soup alternative. Many stores now carry dairy-free cream soup options, or you can make your own with plant-based milk and thickeners.

What’s the best cut of chicken to use for this recipe?
While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are specified in this recipe, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully and often result in more tender meat due to their higher fat content.

Can I make this in an Instant Pot instead of a slow cooker?
Yes! Use the pressure cook function for 10 minutes (15 if using frozen chicken) with a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure. The gravy may be thinner, so you might need to use the sauté function at the end to thicken it up.

Conclusion

This Easy Crockpot Chicken and Gravy is comfort food at its finest — tender, flavorful chicken enveloped in rich, savory gravy that warms you from the inside out. It’s the kind of dish that transforms an ordinary weeknight into a special family dinner, despite requiring almost no effort to prepare. Whether served over mashed potatoes on a cold winter evening or over rice for a hearty Sunday lunch, this slow cooker staple proves that the simplest recipes often deliver the most satisfying results. Give your family the gift of coming home to this delicious aroma and watch as they gather eagerly around the table, ready to savor every bite of this homestyle favorite.

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