Slow Cooked Chicken and Gravy

Savor the comfort of home-cooked goodness with this Slow Cooked Chicken and Gravy recipe! This simple yet satisfying dish features tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich, creamy gravy, making it the perfect centerpiece for a cozy family meal.

With just a few pantry staples and the convenience of a slow cooker, you can effortlessly create a hearty dish that pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta. Add some vegetables in the last hour for a complete, wholesome dinner. Let’s get started on this delicious comfort food!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

People will love Slow Cooked Chicken and Gravy because it’s the ultimate comfort food, offering tender, juicy chicken simmered in a rich, creamy gravy that’s full of flavor.

The slow cooking method ensures the chicken absorbs all the savory goodness, making each bite melt in your mouth.

The addition of garlic and onion powder adds depth to the gravy, while the simplicity of the ingredients makes it an easy dish to prepare with minimal effort.

Whether served over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta, this dish is versatile, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying a cozy meal at home.

Key Ingredients:

Chicken Breasts: Boneless and skinless, these provide a lean, tender base for the dish that absorbs the savory gravy.

Cream of Chicken Soup: Adds a creamy, rich texture to the gravy, making it velvety and flavorful.

Chicken Gravy Mix: Enhances the gravy with a savory chicken flavor, giving it depth and richness.

Garlic and Onion Powder: These seasonings elevate the gravy with aromatic and savory notes.

Water: Used to create the right consistency for the gravy, making it perfect for soaking into mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.

Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning the dish and balancing the flavors.

Slow Cooked Chicken and Gravy

Ingredients

6 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

10 ¾ ounce can of reduced fat Cream of Chicken soup mix

2 packages of chicken gravy mix

2 cups of water

Salt and pepper to taste

1 ½ tsp garlic powder

1 ¼ tsp onion powder

Instructions

Step 1:

In the slow cooker, combine the cream of chicken soup, the two packs of gravy mix and 2 cups of water

Whisk to blend well

Step 2:

Sprinkle in the onion powder and the garlic powder, stir again

Place the chicken breasts on top of the soup mixture

Step 3:

Cook on low for 8 hours, or on high for 4 hours.

Tastes best when served over mashed potatoes, rice or pasta.

Step 4:

If desired, place a choice of fresh or frozen vegetables in during the last hour of cooking.

If using fresh vegetables, continue to check on the doneness of the vegetable. You do not want to end with soggy vegetables.

Enjoy!

Notes:

Chicken Options: You can use other cuts of chicken, such as thighs or drumsticks, but ensure they are cooked to the proper internal temperature. Bone-in pieces will require longer cooking times.

Gravy Mix Variations: Feel free to experiment with different flavors of gravy mix, such as mushroom or brown gravy, to give the dish a unique twist.

Cream of Chicken Soup: Using a reduced-fat version helps keep the dish lighter, but you can also use regular cream of chicken soup for a creamier texture.

Adjusting Consistency: If the gravy is too thick after cooking, you can whisk in a little more water or chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency.

Vegetable Additions: For added nutrition, consider throwing in fresh or frozen vegetables like carrots, peas, or green beans in the last hour of cooking. Just keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Serving Suggestions: This dish is fantastic over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta. You can also serve it with biscuits or crusty bread for a comforting meal.

Storage and Reheating: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the gravy.

Make-Ahead: You can prep everything the night before, store it in the fridge, and simply plug in the slow cooker in the morning for an easy dinner!

Nutrition Information:

SERVING SIZE: 1

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Amount Per Serving:

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use bone-in chicken for this recipe instead of boneless chicken breasts?

Yes, bone-in chicken can be used, but it may require adjustments to the cooking time.

Boneless chicken breasts tend to cook faster, so bone-in chicken may need a longer cooking time to ensure it’s fully cooked through.

Can I substitute homemade gravy for the packaged gravy mix?

Absolutely! While the packaged gravy mix provides convenience, you can use homemade gravy if preferred.

Simply prepare your favorite gravy recipe and use it in place of the packaged mix.

Is it necessary to whisk the soup and gravy mixture before adding the chicken?

Whisking the cream of chicken soup and gravy mix with water ensures a smooth and well-blended sauce.

This step helps evenly distribute the flavors and ensures a consistent texture throughout the dish.

Can I add other seasonings or herbs to enhance the flavor?

Yes, feel free to customize the seasoning to your taste preferences.

Additional herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or parsley can complement the flavors in the dish.

Adjust the amount of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper according to your taste.

What’s the best way to prevent the chicken from drying out during cooking?

Cooking the chicken on low heat for 8 hours or on high heat for 4 hours helps keep it moist and tender.

However, if you’re concerned about the chicken drying out, you can add a little extra liquid (such as chicken broth or water) to the slow cooker before cooking.

Additionally, ensuring that the chicken is fully submerged in the sauce will help retain its moisture.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts in this recipe.

Thighs may provide a richer flavor and remain tender during slow cooking.

Is it necessary to use reduced-fat cream of chicken soup, or can I use regular cream of chicken soup?

You can use either reduced-fat or regular cream of chicken soup based on your dietary preferences.

The choice won’t significantly affect the overall taste of the dish.

Can I prepare this recipe without using a slow cooker?

Yes, you can adapt this recipe for stovetop or oven cooking.

Simply follow the same steps for mixing the ingredients, then cook covered over low heat on the stovetop or in a preheated oven at 325°F (163°C) until the chicken is cooked through.

How can I adjust the thickness of the gravy?

If you prefer a thicker gravy, you can mix in a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with cold water) during the last hour of cooking.

Add the slurry gradually until you reach your desired consistency.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

Yes, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

What can I serve with slow-cooked chicken and gravy besides mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta?

This dish pairs well with a variety of sides, including steamed vegetables, roasted potatoes, quinoa, or crusty bread.

Can I use homemade gravy instead of packaged gravy mix?

Yes, homemade gravy can be used instead of packaged gravy mix.

Prepare the gravy according to your favorite recipe and use it in place of the packaged mix.

Can I add other vegetables to the slow cooker with the chicken?

Absolutely! Feel free to add diced carrots, celery, potatoes, or any other vegetables you enjoy.

Just be mindful of the cooking time to ensure the vegetables are tender but not overcooked.

How do I know when the chicken is done cooking?

Chicken breasts are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature or cut into the thickest part of the chicken to ensure it’s no longer pink and the juices run clear.

Can I use bone-in chicken breasts instead of boneless?

Yes, bone-in chicken breasts can be used, but they may require a longer cooking time.

Adjust the cooking time accordingly and ensure the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).