Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy Recipe: A Comforting Meal for the Whole Family

In the world of easy, comforting dinners, Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy is a beloved classic. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight meal or preparing for a special gathering, this dish is sure to win over hearts and satisfy appetites. With just a handful of ingredients, a slow cooker, and a few hours, you can enjoy tender chicken in a savory, creamy gravy that’s perfect when served over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Why Choose Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy?

When it comes to quick and hearty meals, there are few options as easy and flavorful as Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy. This dish is incredibly versatile, can be adjusted to fit a variety of dietary preferences, and is sure to please even the pickiest eaters. The best part? It requires minimal effort but yields maximum flavor. If you’ve never tried cooking chicken in a slow cooker before, get ready for a tender, juicy chicken that practically melts in your mouth.

Slow cookers are the perfect tool for preparing meals that need to simmer and develop rich flavors. As the chicken cooks low and slow, it absorbs the seasoning and becomes incredibly moist. The gravy, made from a combination of chicken broth, onion soup mix, and cream of chicken soup, turns velvety smooth, creating a luxurious sauce to pair with the chicken. Add a dollop of sour cream to the mix, and you’ve got a dish that’s both creamy and comforting, making it ideal for a satisfying family dinner.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

Making Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy is incredibly simple with the right ingredients. Here’s everything you’ll need to get started:

Main Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 packet (28g) onion soup mix
• 1 can (300g) cream of chicken soup
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme (optional)
• 1/2 cup sour cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
• Cooked mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles for serving

These ingredients combine to create a flavorful gravy that coats the chicken beautifully. The onion soup mix provides an excellent base for seasoning, while the cream of chicken soup adds richness and body to the gravy. If you like a little extra creaminess, the sour cream is a wonderful addition to make the dish even more indulgent. The chicken itself will turn out incredibly moist and juicy, ready to be shredded and mixed into the savory gravy.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

Here’s a simple guide to making this delicious Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy recipe:

Step 1: Add the Chicken

Start by placing the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into your slow cooker. These will form the base of the dish and will be cooked in the flavorful gravy mixture. There’s no need to thaw the chicken breasts if they’re frozen—just place them directly into the slow cooker.

Step 2: Prepare the Gravy Mixture

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together chicken broth, onion soup mix, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, black pepper, and thyme. The onion soup mix is the key flavoring agent here, providing a savory depth to the gravy. Garlic powder and black pepper season the dish, while thyme adds a subtle herbal note. If you like a little more depth of flavor, you can always add an extra pinch of garlic powder or black pepper.

Step 3: Pour the Gravy Over the Chicken

Once the gravy mixture is well-combined, pour it evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Ensure that the chicken breasts are fully covered by the gravy to infuse as much flavor as possible during cooking.

Step 4: Set the Slow Cooker

Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The cooking time will depend on your slow cooker, but the goal is to cook the chicken until it is so tender that it shreds easily. Slow cooking the chicken allows it to absorb the flavors of the gravy, making it incredibly juicy and flavorful.

Step 5: Shred the Chicken

Once the chicken is fully cooked and tender, use two forks to shred it directly in the slow cooker. The chicken should shred effortlessly, and you’ll want to mix the shredded chicken with the gravy so that every bite is coated with the creamy sauce.

Step 6: Add Sour Cream for Extra Creaminess (Optional)

For an extra layer of richness, stir in sour cream to the mixture before serving. The sour cream will add an extra creamy texture to the gravy, making it even more indulgent. If you prefer a lighter version, you can skip the sour cream, but it certainly adds to the comfort factor.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Serve your Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy over your choice of mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. The creamy gravy is perfect for soaking into the side dish, creating a deliciously comforting meal that’s perfect for any occasion.

Tips for Making the Best Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

While this recipe is straightforward, here are a few tips to ensure your Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy comes out perfectly every time:

1. Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts: While other cuts of chicken can be used, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal because they cook quickly and shred easily, making them perfect for this dish.
2. Customize the seasoning: If you like a bit of extra heat, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the gravy mixture. You can also experiment with other herbs like rosemary or oregano to give the dish a unique flavor.
3. Don’t overcook the chicken: While slow cooking is meant to tenderize the chicken, overcooking it can result in dry, stringy chicken. Keep an eye on the cooking time and make sure to check for tenderness before shredding.
4. Make it a one-pot meal: For a truly easy meal, prepare the mashed potatoes or rice in the slow cooker. Simply place them in the slow cooker an hour before the chicken is done, and they’ll cook to perfection alongside the chicken and gravy.
5. Use low-sodium broth: To make the dish a little healthier, opt for low-sodium chicken broth and reduce the amount of added salt. The onion soup mix and cream of chicken soup already add plenty of flavor.

Nutritional Information

While Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy is comfort food at its best, it can also be fairly light in calories. Here’s an estimate of the nutritional content per serving (based on one serving of chicken and gravy with a side of mashed potatoes):

• Calories: Approximately 350 kcal
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 17g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Fiber: 2g

These values will vary depending on your side dish, but the chicken itself is lean and packed with protein. If you serve it with a low-calorie side, it’s a great option for a filling, yet light meal.

FAQs for Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

1. Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?

Yes! You can use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe. Just place them directly in the slow cooker without thawing them first. The slow cooker will safely cook the chicken, making it tender and juicy.

2. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, you can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts. Chicken thighs will yield a slightly richer flavor due to their higher fat content, but they are equally tender when cooked in the slow cooker.

3. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe can easily be made gluten-free by using gluten-free cream of chicken soup and ensuring the onion soup mix is also gluten-free. There are plenty of gluten-free options available in most grocery stores today.

4. Can I make Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy ahead of time?

Yes, this dish is perfect for making ahead. You can cook it in advance and store the shredded chicken and gravy in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave when ready to serve.

5. Can I freeze Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy?

Absolutely! Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy freezes well. To freeze, allow it to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy is the epitome of comfort food. It’s easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and perfect for feeding the whole family. Whether you’re serving it over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles, the creamy, savory gravy pairs beautifully with the tender chicken. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, this dish becomes an instant classic in any household.

If you’re looking for a meal that requires little prep but delivers big on flavor, give this Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy recipe a try. It’s sure to become a family favorite in no time!

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