Crockpot Chicken and Gravy Recipe

Crockpot Chicken and Gravy has totally saved me on those bonkers-busy days when it’s pitch dark at dinnertime and the family’s already asking “what’s for supper?” before you’ve even taken off your shoes. I mean, who doesn’t want comfort food with exactly zero fuss? Just woke up, saw chicken in the fridge, and tossed everything in the slow cooker. Done before noon. If you love cozy, simple meals (umm, check and check), you also gotta try this easy Crockpot Chicken Tortellini Recipe or the juiciest Crockpot BBQ Chicken Recipe. Trust me, these all hit the spot.

TL;DR – Crockpot Chicken and Gravy Summary

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

4–6 hours (Low) / 3–4 hours (High)

Servings

6

Main Ingredients

Chicken, cream of chicken soup, gravy mix, broth

Flavor Profile

Creamy, savory, comforting

Difficulty

Super Easy

This easy crockpot chicken and gravy recipe is a creamy, family-friendly dinner made with minimal prep. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends – serve it over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes for classic comfort food flavor.

What Makes This Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy So Popular

Alright, listen, there’s about a million chicken recipes out there but this Crockpot Chicken and Gravy is total stick-to-your-ribs goodness. First, it’s the ultimate lazy cook dish. Toss in your stuff before work, and you’ll come home to something that smells like you live next to a five-star restaurant (no, I’m not joking). The gravy – oh man, the gravy is dreamy. It’s creamy but not fancy, and the flavor kind of sneaks up on you. Even picky eaters don’t put up a fight with this one. When you need real food for real-life chaos, this is the one.

Print

This one is so simple and flavorful. You can find more easy Crockpot chicken dinners here.

Key Ingredients You’ll Need for the Best Chicken and Gravy

Here’s the great thing, you need maybe five things, nothing wild. Chicken breasts or thighs (whatever’s in the fridge), a packet of chicken gravy mix (yes, the kind your grandma uses), a can of cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and pepper. That’s it. No need to hunt down obscure spices. The secret’s in how the gravy hugs every bite of chicken. If you wanna get ultra-homey, throw in a splash of milk at the end. I sometimes even add a little butter, if I’m feeling reckless.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

Okay, so you open the pantry and realize you’re short on a couple things. Don’t panic. No gravy packet? Use onion soup mix. Got frozen chicken? Totally fine, but add an extra half hour for cooking. Maybe you’re out of cream of chicken soup, grab cream of mushroom or even cream of celery. You can drop in carrots or a handful of frozen peas, if you want a touch of veg. I swapped in turkey once (day after Thanksgiving leftovers, anyone?) and it worked. Flexibility is the magic of this recipe.

How to Make Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy (Step-by-Step)

Super easy, barely an inconvenience:

1. Lay chicken flat in the bottom of your crockpot.
2. In a bowl, mix the gravy packet, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and pepper. Stir it (until it’s a bit lumpy – that’s fine).
3. Pour gravy over chicken.
4. Pop the lid on and cook on low for six hours or high for four (I’m always late, so high for four honestly gets used more).
5. Shred or slice the chicken right in the pot and stir it back into the gravy.

Serve with something that sops up the sauce – trust me, you’ll want every drop.

Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy Every Time

I wish I could say I’ve never messed this up, but… let me save you. First, don’t overcook or else the chicken goes weird and dry. Make sure your chicken is thawed or add time if it’s not. Stir halfway, if you’re home and remember, but it usually isn’t needed. Go easy on the salt, the gravy mix has plenty already. Chicken thighs are juicier, but breasts work fine if you keep an eye on time. If you want extra-thick gravy, take the lid off the last half-hour or stir in a cornstarch slurry. Fool-proof, as my neighbor Shirley would say.

Flavor Boosts and Add-Ins

Okay, time for those “next-level” moves. You can toss in garlic powder, onion powder, or…if you really love flavor, some dried thyme. I sometimes drop in mushrooms (fresh, canned, whatever’s there). A tiny splash of white wine, if you have some on hand, just brightens it. You could even stir in a handful of shredded cheese right before serving. Or go Cajun and shake in some smoked paprika. Honestly, play around. This recipe will never complain.

How to add creaminess or tang

So here’s the kicker: If the gravy tastes a little flat, just swirl in a couple spoons of sour cream at the end. Oh, and plain Greek yogurt? Same effect, less guilt. For a little zip, a squeeze of fresh lemon works wonders. Don’t go wild, just dip your spoon in, taste, and see if it sings. Tip from Aunt Linda (she’s a character): a splash of heavy cream can make your Crockpot Chicken and Gravy taste like pure velvet.

How to Serve Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy

This dish is pure chameleon – whatever you have, use it. My favorites:

• Over a heap of mashed potatoes (southern style, spread out wide)
• On top of hot buttered egg noodles (kids eat twice as much)
• Just spooned straight onto steamed rice or brown rice
• With crusty bread for full-on gravy mopping

Leftovers? Throw them in a wrap or even a baked potato. Honestly, nobody’s picky with this meal.

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Freezing Tips

So you wanna get ahead, huh? Make the full batch, cool it down quick, then stick it in an airtight container. It’s fine in the fridge for about four days. Freeze portions flat in zip bags, write the date with a fat marker or, trust me, you’ll forget what’s what. Thaw overnight, reheat slowly, add a splash of broth if it’s too thick. If you have a super busy week, toss it back in the crockpot on warm before dinner. Still tastes homemade.

How to Turn This Recipe into Meal Prep for the Week

If you’re meal-prep curious, listen up. Make a double batch and portion it out with cooked rice or potatoes. Instant lunches. Stick a serving in your kid’s thermos for school and they’ll come home asking for seconds (okay, maybe not every kid, but a parent can hope). Mix leftovers into pasta, or toss in frozen veggies for variety. It’s mix-and-match magic and feels like a real win when you’re not scrambling for what’s next.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Been there, done all these. Using too much liquid turns your gravy to soup. Chicken can dry out if you cook it all day, so set a timer. Don’t forget to taste before adding salt, you can always add but you’re stuck if it’s too salty. And trust me, using frozen chicken without adjusting time or checking for doneness? Yikes. Learn from my stubborn mistakes!

Healthier Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy Tips

Alright, I know gravy feels like “cheat meal” territory, but there are tweaks. Use skinless chicken breasts. Swap in low-sodium gravy mix and reduced-salt broth. Go for fat-free or light cream soups, they mostly taste the same when cooked. Add steamed veggies like broccoli on the side or swap mashed potatoes for roasted sweet potatoes. You can get the cozy without all the guilt!

Balancing protein and carbs for nutrition

Making this meal a bit more balanced is easy. Chicken brings the protein, obviously, but try pairing with something complex carb-ish. Brown rice, whole grain noodles, even quinoa is great. Add a simple salad for fiber, and suddenly it doesn’t feel like just a winter stick-to-your-ribs meal. Keeps bellies happy and energy up, too. Sometimes, I even sneak in steamed green beans and nobody notices.

Serving Inspiration and Pairings

Honestly, you almost can’t mess up the sides here. Try it with Crockpot Parmesan Chicken Pasta, or tag on my favorite Garlic Parmesan Crockpot Chicken Potatoes. Feeling adventurous? Candied sweet potatoes as a side, and you’ve basically got a Sunday feast. Every time I serve it with pickled veggies (yes, weird but in a good way), folks go wild. Salt and crunch balances out all that creamy gravy business.

Creative leftover ideas: sandwiches, rice bowls, casseroles

Here’s where things get fun. Use your leftover Crockpot Chicken and Gravy in a sandwich, pile it on a toasted bun with a bit of melty cheese. Or scoop it into a rice bowl topped with chopped scallions and a quick sriracha drizzle for fakeout takeout vibes. I’ve even baked it with a layer of shredded cheese in a quick casserole, which is basically dinner magic for zero effort. Get wild, your future self will thank you.

Nutritional Facts

Let’s be real, this isn’t diet food, but it doesn’t have to be disaster, either. One big scoop gives you about 290 calories (down a bit if you skip extra butter), plenty of protein, and you can bump the health up with your choice of sides. Watch sodium if you care, since gravy packets tend to lean salty. Really, balance is key and it’s not the worst choice for comfort food.

Nutrition Facts (Estimated)

Per serving · yields ~6 servings

Calories

~290

Protein

~34 g

Total Carbohydrates

~10 g

Dietary Fiber

<1 g

Total Sugars

~2 g

Total Fat

~11 g

Saturated Fat

~4 g

Cholesterol

~115 mg

Sodium

~820 mg

Potassium

~520 mg

Assumptions: ~2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup, 1 packet (≈21 g) chicken gravy mix, 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth; six servings; optional dairy not included. Values are rounded estimates.

Sources: USDA FoodData Central – Cooked Chicken Breast · Campbell’s Cream of Chicken – Nutrition · McCormick Chicken Gravy Mix – Nutrition · Swanson 100% Natural Chicken Broth – Nutrition

Common Questions

Ready to Up Your Chicken Game?

There you go, every reason you need to try Crockpot Chicken and Gravy tonight. It’s easy, forgiving, and honest-to-goodness comfort food for families (or just you – no shame!). Need more meal ideas? Check out this handy Mexican Street Corn Soup Crockpot or whip up Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup for a fun twist. Seriously, once you try this, don’t be surprised if it makes the menu every week. Give it a go and see why everyone gets hooked!