Some dinners are worth keeping in the rotation simply because they make a busy evening easier. This is one of them.
Crockpot chicken and gravy starts with chicken breasts, cream of chicken soup, chicken gravy mix, broth, and a few simple seasonings.
Put everything in the slow cooker, and the chicken cooks gently until tender enough to shred.
No browning, no separate gravy to make, and no complicated prep.
Stir the finished chicken back into the gravy so every bite gets coated in the savory sauce. Spoon it over mashed potatoes for the classic combination, or serve it with biscuits, rice, or egg noodles when you want to change things up.
It’s especially good on chilly fall and winter evenings when you want something warm and satisfying without spending much time in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
- About 5 minutes of prep. Whisk the gravy mixture, add it to the slow cooker, and you’re ready to go.
- True dump-and-go cooking. The chicken doesn’t need to be browned first.
- Tender shredded chicken. Shred the chicken and return it to the gravy so it absorbs even more flavor.
- Rich, savory gravy. Cream of chicken soup and chicken gravy mix create a thick, comforting sauce without making gravy from scratch.
- Easy to serve. Mashed potatoes, biscuits, rice, and egg noodles all work.
- Great for families. The mild, familiar flavors make this an easy dinner for a group.
- Easy to scale. Halve the recipe for a smaller household or double it for a gathering.
Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
Tender shredded chicken simmered in a rich, savory gravy. This easy crockpot chicken and gravy is a five-minute prep dinner that’s perfect for serving over mashed potatoes, biscuits, rice, or egg noodles.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thawed
- 2 (10.5-ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
- 1 (1-ounce) packet chicken gravy mix
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add the chicken.
Place the thawed chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. - Make the gravy mixture.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, chicken gravy mix, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth (whisking first to prevent pockets of dry seasoning), and pour the mixture evenly over the chicken. - Cook.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, starting to check toward the earlier end of the cooking range until the chicken is fully cooked and shreds easily with two forks. - Shred the chicken.
Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and shred it completely with two forks. - Return the chicken to the gravy.
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, stir well to coat, cover, and let sit for another 5 to 10 minutes so the meat can absorb the savory sauce. - Serve.
Spoon the chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes, biscuits, rice, or egg noodles, and pair with a simple vegetable like green beans or peas for a complete dinner.
Notes
Protein: About 30g per serving
Tips for the Best Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
Don’t add extra salt right away.
Both canned cream of chicken soup and packaged gravy mix can contain quite a bit of sodium. Taste the finished gravy before deciding whether it needs additional salt.
Whisk the gravy before adding it to the slow cooker
It’s tempting to dump everything straight into the crockpot, but taking a minute to whisk the soup, broth, and gravy mix together gives you a smoother finished sauce.
Don’t overcook the chicken
Chicken breasts are lean, so cooking them past doneness can leave them dry and stringy. Start checking toward the earlier end of the cooking range.
Let the shredded chicken sit in the gravy
Don’t skip the final 5 to 10 minutes. The shredded chicken absorbs some of the gravy and becomes much more evenly coated and flavorful.
Adjust the gravy consistency if needed.
Slow cookers and chicken breasts can release different amounts of moisture. If your gravy is thicker than you like, stir in a small splash of chicken broth until it reaches your preferred consistency.
The Best Ways to Serve Chicken and Gravy
Over mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes are the classic pairing for a reason. The fluffy potatoes soak up the savory gravy, making every bite rich and comforting.
With biscuits
Split warm biscuits and spoon the chicken and gravy over the top. It’s an easy take on classic chicken and biscuits.
Over egg noodles
Wide egg noodles catch plenty of the gravy and turn the chicken into a hearty noodle dinner.
Over rice
White rice, brown rice, or a simple rice pilaf all work well. Rice is especially useful when you want to stretch the meal.
With vegetables
Serve the chicken and gravy alongside green beans, peas, broccoli, roasted carrots, or another favorite vegetable for a simple balanced dinner.
Easy Variations
Crockpot Chicken and Gravy with Cheese
For a richer, cheesier version, stir 4 ounces of cubed cream cheese and ½ cup shredded cheddar into the finished chicken and gravy.
Cover and cook on HIGH for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the cheese melts and incorporates into the sauce.
This creates a richer variation, but the original version is better if you want the classic chicken-and-gravy flavor.
Chicken and Biscuits
Skip the mashed potatoes and serve the finished chicken and gravy over warm biscuits. Add steamed green beans or peas on the side for an easy comfort-food dinner.
Crockpot Chicken and Rice
Serve the chicken and gravy over cooked rice, or stir cooked rice into individual servings. Using already-cooked rice keeps the texture from becoming mushy during the long slow-cooking process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well in this recipe and are particularly forgiving because they contain more fat than chicken breasts.
The finished dish may be slightly richer, but the same gravy mixture works.
Can I use frozen chicken?
For the most predictable cooking time and food-safety result, use thawed chicken breasts.
Why is my crockpot chicken and gravy too thick?
The gravy can thicken as it sits, and different slow cookers can produce slightly different results.
Stir in a small amount of chicken broth until the gravy reaches your desired consistency.
Why is my chicken dry?
The most common issue is cooking lean chicken breasts longer than necessary. Chicken breasts can go from tender to dry fairly quickly in a slow cooker.
Start checking toward the earlier end of the suggested cooking range and shred the chicken as soon as it is tender.
Can I use leftover rotisserie chicken?
Yes. Use about 3 to 4 cups of shredded cooked rotisserie chicken and follow the shortcut method above.
Can I make this without cream of chicken soup?
Yes, but doing so creates a substantially different recipe. Cream of chicken soup is part of what makes this version so easy and gives the gravy its creamy consistency.
Is crockpot chicken and gravy good for a crowd?
Yes. The recipe makes six servings and can be doubled in a larger slow cooker. It’s an especially easy option when you want a warm dinner you can serve over a large batch of mashed potatoes, rice, or biscuits.
Can I freeze chicken and gravy?
Yes, although the gravy’s texture may change slightly after freezing and thawing because it contains a creamy soup base.
If you freeze leftovers, thaw them in the refrigerator and reheat gently, stirring well. If the gravy has become too thick, add a small splash of chicken broth while reheating.
Conclusion
This crockpot chicken and gravy is exactly the kind of recipe that earns a spot in a cold-weather dinner rotation.
The chicken cooks until tender, the gravy comes together from familiar pantry ingredients, and the whole recipe requires only a few minutes of hands-on preparation.
Once you shred the chicken and stir it back into the sauce, you have a rich, savory dinner ready to spoon over mashed potatoes, biscuits, rice, or egg noodles.
It’s simple enough for a busy weeknight, comforting enough for a chilly Sunday dinner, and easy enough to scale when you’re feeding more people.
If you want the easiest version possible, prep the slow cooker in the morning, let it cook, and finish the shredded chicken in the gravy just before dinner.
That’s about as close to effortless comfort food as it gets.
