Easy Chicken and Gravy Recipe

Servings: 4 Total Time: 30 mins Difficulty: Beginner
Quick, Creamy, and Comforting – Perfect for Any Night
Mashed potatoes with shredded chicken and gravy, served with corn and a soft dinner roll on a white plate. pinit

Chicken and Gravy is a simple one-pan recipe that the whole family will enjoy! No use of any canned soup or seasoning packets!

Easy Chicken and Gravy is a comforting, flavorful meal made with tender chicken and creamy gravy. Perfect with mashed potatoes, rice, or biscuits, it’s a favorite for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. 

Chicken gravy is a rich, flavorful sauce made using the juices or broth from cooked chicken, thickened with ground coconut and blended with spices for a rich taste. This simple recipe uses boneless chicken breasts or thighs, chicken stock, and a touch of garlic and onion powder for a rich taste. Cook it in a slow cooker or on the stovetop—it always turns out juicy and delicious. With just a few ingredients and little effort, you get a homemade dish that feels like it has been cooking all day—a classic go-to for easy, hearty dinners.

Easy chicken and gravy served over mashed potatoes with parsley garnish on a white plate.

Why You Will Love Easy Chicken and Gravy Recipe:

This Easy Chicken and Gravy recipe is a comfort food classic—quick, simple, and full of flavor. Here’s why it’s a must-try:

  • Quick to Prepare
    With just a few easy steps—season, cook, and serve—this dish is perfect for busy weeknights. It’s one of the best easy chicken dinner recipes for beginners or anyone short on time.
  • Uses Simple Pantry Ingredients
    Made with everyday items like chicken breasts or thighs, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, and spices. No need for fancy ingredients—just simple staples to create a delicious homemade chicken gravy.
  • Family-Friendly Meal
    Loved by kids and adults alike. The creamy chicken and gravy pairs well with mashed potatoes, white rice, or buttermilk biscuits, making it one of those comforting family chicken recipes everyone enjoys.
  • Perfect for Busy Nights
    This recipe is ideal for meal prep or last-minute dinners. It’s filling, satisfying, and great when you need a warm meal fast.
  • Flexible Cooking Methods
    Can be made in a slow cooker, on the stovetop, or in the oven. Whether you prefer a crockpot chicken and gravy recipe or a stovetop classic, it turns out flavorful and tender every time.
  • Beginner-Friendly Comfort Food
    If you’re new to cooking or want a no-fail recipe, this is a great start. Learn how to make a simple chicken gravy recipe that tastes like it’s been simmering all day.

This dish is one of the best easy comfort food recipes for everyday cooking—no stress, just great flavor!

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)

For the Gravy:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Special Tip:

 Brown the chicken slightly before cooking it through for a deeper flavor. This adds extra richness to the dish.

How to Make Easy Chicken and Gravy:

Season the Chicken:

Hand seasoning raw chicken breasts with salt and pepper on a wooden cutting board, preparing them for cooking.

Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Sprinkle both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. This helps lock in flavor early.

Sear the Chicken in a Pan:

Heat 1–2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for about 5–6 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken and set aside. This quick step adds extra taste to your chicken and gravy recipe.

Juicy chicken breasts searing in a hot skillet on a stovetop in a modern kitchen with white cabinets and marble counters.

Make the Gravy in the Same Pan:

A measuring cup pouring broth into a steaming pan while stirring, creating a flavorful sauce or gravy on a stovetop.

In the same skillet (without cleaning it), melt the butter over medium heat to keep all those flavorful bits. Add the flour and whisk it continuously for 1–2 minutes to form a smooth roux. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to avoid any lumps. Then, mix in the heavy cream or milk and keep whisking until the gravy thickens into a rich, creamy texture. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, a small pinch of paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. This makes a flavorful homemade chicken gravy that’s perfect for your dish.

Simmer and Add Chicken:

Four seasoned chicken breasts simmer in a rich brown sauce in a skillet on a stovetop in a warmly lit kitchen.

Let the gravy simmer for 5–7 minutes on low heat. Slice or shred the cooked chicken and place it back into the gravy. Stir gently so the chicken soaks up the flavors. This step helps the chicken stay juicy and full of that delicious chicken gravy taste.

Tender shredded chicken simmering in a creamy, herb-seasoned sauce in a skillet over an open gas flame on a stovetop.

 Optional: Add Sour Cream or Heavy Cream:

If you like a creamier gravy for chicken, stir in a spoonful of sour cream or heavy cream. It adds richness and gives your recipe that comforting, home-style touch seen in many chicken with gravy recipes.

Serve Hot:

Serve your easy chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or warm biscuits. This combo makes one of the best quick crockpot meals—but in a skillet! It also works great with pasta or bread for a fast and hearty dinner.

Plate of shredded easy chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes, served with spices and a drink on a rustic wooden table.

Tips for Flavorful and Juicy Chicken

  • Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness: While chicken breasts work well, thighs stay more tender and juicy when pan-fried.
  • Don’t overcook—check for doneness: Cook the chicken just until the inside is no longer pink. Use a meat thermometer if needed (165°F or 74°C).
  • Use low-sodium broth to control salt: Cream of chicken soup already contains salt. Using low-sodium broth helps balance the flavors in your chicken gravy.
  • Add a splash of cream at the end for a smooth finish: Stirring in a bit of sour cream or heavy cream makes your gravy richer and extra comforting.

Variations:

  • Add mushrooms or onions: Sauté sliced mushrooms or chopped onions in the pan after removing the chicken. Then make the gravy in the same pan for added flavor.
  • Make it spicy with red pepper flakes: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes while cooking the gravy if you like a little heat.
  • Use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut: Skip the raw chicken—shred a store-bought rotisserie chicken and mix it into the gravy for a fast meal.
  • Try with turkey instead of chicken: Leftover turkey works perfectly with this gravy recipe, especially around the holidays.

Serving Suggestions:

  • Mashed potatoes: The thick, creamy gravy pairs perfectly with fluffy mashed potatoes.
  • Steamed rice: Serve over rice for a quick and filling dinner.
  • Buttery biscuits: Great for soaking up every bit of the savory gravy.
  • Roasted veggies: Add a healthy side like green beans, carrots, or broccoli to round out the meal.

Storage and Reheating:

How to Store Leftovers?

Once cooled, place any leftover chicken and gravy in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. It keeps well and makes a great next-day lunch.

Best Way to Reheat Without Drying Out

Reheat the chicken and gravy gently in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of broth or water to loosen the gravy if it has thickened too much. Stir often so the chicken stays moist. 

Microwave reheating also works—just cover and heat in short bursts while stirring.

Can It Be Frozen?

Yes, you can freeze it. Let the chicken and gravy cool fully, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in a pan with a bit of broth to bring back the smooth texture.

Tools You Will Need

  • Skillet or frying pan
  • Whisk
  • Meat thermometer (optional)
  • Tongs or a spatula for handling the chicken
Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Total Time 30 mins
Servings: 4 Calories: 300
Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

Easy Chicken and Gravy is a comforting, flavorful meal made with tender chicken and creamy gravy. Perfect with mashed potatoes, rice, or biscuits, it’s a favorite for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. 

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

For the Gravy:

Special Tip:

Directions

  1. 1. Season the Chicken

    Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Sprinkle both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. This helps lock in flavor early.

    2. Sear the Chicken in a Pan

    Heat 1–2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for about 5–6 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken and set aside. This quick step adds extra taste to your chicken and gravy recipe.

    3. Make the Gravy in the Same Pan

    In the same skillet (without cleaning it), melt the butter over medium heat to keep all those flavorful bits. Add the flour and whisk it continuously for 1–2 minutes to form a smooth roux. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to avoid any lumps. Then, mix in the heavy cream or milk and keep whisking until the gravy thickens into a rich, creamy texture. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, a small pinch of paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. This makes a flavorful homemade chicken gravy that’s perfect for your dish.

    4. Simmer and Add Chicken

    Let the gravy simmer for 5–7 minutes on low heat. Slice or shred the cooked chicken and place it back into the gravy. Stir gently so the chicken soaks up the flavors. This step helps the chicken stay juicy and full of that delicious chicken gravy taste.

    5. Optional: Add Sour Cream or Heavy Cream

    If you like a creamier gravy for chicken, stir in a spoonful of sour cream or heavy cream. It adds richness and gives your recipe that comforting, home-style touch seen in many chicken with gravy recipes.

    6. Serve Hot

    Serve your easy chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or warm biscuits. This combo makes one of the best quick crockpot meals—but in a skillet! It also works great with pasta or bread for a fast and hearty dinner.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4


Amount Per Serving
Calories 300kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 15g24%
Sodium 600mg25%
Total Carbohydrate 10g4%
Dietary Fiber 1g4%
Protein 30g60%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:
What is the meaning of chicken gravy?

Chicken gravy is a rich, flavorful sauce made using the juices or broth from cooked chicken. It is thickened with a roux made from butter and flour, and often includes cream or milk for extra richness. Seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder are added to enhance the taste and aroma, making it a perfect topping for mashed potatoes, rice, or biscuits.

Can I use frozen chicken?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken. Just make sure it is fully thawed before cooking to ensure even results.

How can I make the gravy thicker?

To thicken the gravy, add more flour or cornstarch. Mix it with water before adding it to the gravy to avoid clumps.

Can I make the gravy without cream?

Yes, you can skip the cream and use only chicken broth for a lighter gravy version.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook the chicken and gravy beforehand and reheat them before serving. If the gravy thickens too much, just add a splash of broth.

What's the best way to reheat chicken and gravy?

Reheat gently on the stove over low heat to prevent the gravy from separating. Stir often and add a little more broth if needed.

How long does it take in a crockpot?

In a crockpot, it usually takes about 4 to 6 hours on low heat or 2 to 3 hours on high heat for the chicken and gravy to be ready and tender.

Can I make it dairy-free?

Yes, you can! Use dairy-free milk like almond milk or coconut milk instead of cream. Also, skip any butter or use a dairy-free alternative to keep it dairy-free.

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