If you’ve ever wished for a warm, comforting dinner with almost no effort, Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy is truly a dream come true! With tender shredded chicken smothered in a creamy, savory sauce, this recipe is guaranteed to become one of your go-to family favorites for cozy weeknights or fuss-free weekends.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously Easy: Toss everything in your slow cooker, and let it work its magic—no babysitting required.
- Family Comfort Food: This dish delivers classic flavors everyone (even picky eaters!) will crave again and again.
- Minimal Ingredients: Just a handful of pantry staples create a rich, homemade-tasting gravy and melt-in-your-mouth chicken.
- Perfect for Leftovers: It reheats like a dream and makes amazing lunches or second-day dinners.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy so magical is how these basic ingredients combine into such irresistible comfort. Each player brings texture, savory depth, and that gorgeous golden color we all crave in a good gravy dish!
- Cream of chicken soup: This is the velvety base of your gravy, lending silky smoothness and rich, savory flavor.
- Chicken gravy mix packets: These add instant herby notes, thicken the gravy, and amp up the homemade vibes with next to no work.
- Chicken broth (optional): If you want a slightly looser, extra-flavorful sauce, this is your secret weapon.
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper: The dynamic duo that sharpens every bite—add to taste!
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The star of the meal; they cook up moist and shred easily for fork-tender bites.
Variations
One of my favorite things about Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy is just how easily you can tweak the flavors and textures—you’re in the driver’s seat! Here are some playful variations to make this recipe suit your family or just change it up for fun.
- Add fresh herbs: Stir in a sprinkle of chopped parsley or thyme just before serving for bright, garden-fresh flavor.
- Substitute chicken thighs: Prefer a richer, melt-in-your-mouth result? Use boneless, skinless thighs instead of breasts.
- Make it dairy-free: Swap in a dairy-free cream of chicken soup and check your gravy packet ingredients.
- Spice it up: For a little kick, toss in a pinch of cayenne pepper or stir in some crushed garlic.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
Step 1: Mix the Gravy Base
In your slow cooker insert, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, the chicken gravy packets, chicken broth (if using), plus the salt and pepper. This quick whisk ensures everything blends together into a super-smooth, flavorful sauce that will coat your chicken perfectly as it cooks.
Step 2: Add the Chicken Breasts
Lay the boneless, skinless chicken breasts right into your slow cooker, nestling them down so they’re fully coated in that incredible gravy mixture. Give them a little flip to make sure every bit is covered—no dry chicken allowed here!
Step 3: Slow Cook Until Perfectly Tender
Pop the lid on and set your slow cooker to low for about 4 hours. This low-and-slow approach means the chicken soaks up all those savory flavors and gets unbelievably tender—no effort from you required!
Step 4: Shred the Chicken & Serve
About 10 minutes before serving, grab two forks (or for a fun hack, a hand mixer) to gently shred the chicken right in the slow cooker. Stir it into the gravy, and you’ll end up with luscious, saucy shreds ready to mound on your favorite sides!
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
- Layer for Maximum Flavor: Make sure your chicken is truly nestled into the gravy mixture—this ensures every bite is seasoned and succulent.
- Hand Mixer Magic: For the easiest shredding, use a hand mixer right in the slow cooker for perfectly even, fine shreds.
- Broth for Custom Consistency: If you prefer your gravy a bit thinner, simply add extra broth at the end and stir until you reach your dream texture.
- Pressure Cooker Shortcut: In a pinch, you can adapt this recipe for a pressure cooker—just reduce the cook time to about 12-15 minutes at high pressure!
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
Garnishes
Just before serving, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or thinly sliced green onions over the top—both add a pop of color and a delightful, fresh lift to that generous blanket of savory gravy.
Side Dishes
Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy is absolutely made for classic sides like buttery mashed potatoes, steaming hot rice, fluffy biscuits, or old-fashioned egg noodles—anything to soak up all that luscious sauce!
Creative Ways to Present
Try spooning the chicken and gravy into toasted rolls for sandwiches, over a baked sweet potato, or even as a hearty topping for oven fries—kids and adults will go wild for these new twists!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy keeps beautifully in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 4 days; just give it a good stir before reheating to reincorporate the gravy.
Freezing
This dish is freezer-friendly too—let it cool, then portion into freezer bags or containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for easiest reheating.
Reheating
For best results, reheat Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often. If the gravy is a bit thick, add a splash of broth or milk to loosen it back up.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but you’ll need to increase the cooking time by 1–2 hours, and always make sure the chicken is cooked through to a safe internal temperature.
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What if I don’t have chicken broth?
No worries! You can simply use water, or skip the additional liquid if you prefer an extra-thick gravy. The canned soup and gravy mixes already provide plenty of flavor.
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Can I make Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy ahead of time?
Absolutely—prep the ingredients in your slow cooker insert, seal, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, just pop it in the cooker and start the program. Dinner is ready when you are!
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Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Definitely! Just make sure not to overfill your slow cooker (no more than ¾ full), and you may need to add a bit of extra cooking time for even results.
Final Thoughts
I hope you give this Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy a whirl the next time you’re craving an effortless, homestyle meal. It’s cozy, deeply flavorful, and guaranteed to spark smiles at your table—just the kind of dish to make any night feel a little more special.
Print
Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 4 hrs
- Total Time: 4 hrs 5 mins
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Slow Cooking
- Method: Slow Cooking
Description
A comforting and easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy recipe that results in tender shredded chicken in a flavorful gravy. Perfect for a simple and delicious family meal.
Ingredients
Chicken and Gravy:
- 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 2 packets chicken gravy mix
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 to 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Instructions
- Prepare Slow Cooker: In a 6-quart slow cooker, whisk together canned soup, gravy mix, chicken broth, salt, and pepper.
- Add Chicken: Place chicken in the slow cooker.
- Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 4 hours.
- Shred Chicken: Before serving, carefully shred the chicken using a hand mixer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 1077mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 56mg
