This crock pot chicken and gravy is the perfect comfort food recipe served over a scoop of buttery mashed potatoes slathered in gravy. Throw it all together, let it simmer, and 4 hours later, you’ll have a steaming hot, tender chicken dinner slathered in hearty gravy.
I serve the chicken and gravy over a heaping scoop of buttery instant pot mashed potatoes with a side of bourbon glazed carrots or Southern-style instant pot green beans. Don’t forget a buttermilk biscuit to soak up that gravy too. YUM!
The smell wafting from the kitchen is enough to make your mouth water!
Equipment Needed: Crock Pot
The Crock Pot is my go-to kitchen appliance when I am in need of some good ol’ comfort food. I am ready for cooler weather and warm meals.
How many Slow Cookers do you have? I have two, but I am definitely considering about getting an additional one. I use ours so much there have been times when I could have used two.
Looking for more crock pot chicken recipes? Check out my crock pot chicken tacos and crock pot chicken stuffing recipe.
Ingredient Highlight for Slow Cooker Chicken: Chicken Breast
This recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken breasts, and for good reason. Chicken breast is naturally lean, so when it simmers low and slow in the crock pot, it soaks up the savory gravy without becoming overly greasy. The result is juicy, fork-tender meat that shreds beautifully and blends seamlessly into the rich, flavorful sauce. Because chicken breasts don’t add extra fat, the gravy stays smooth and silky instead of separating or turning oily.
This is why you’ll often see chicken breasts used in comfort food crock pot recipes like my Easy Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings with Biscuits and Pineapple Chicken and Rice.
And if you’re a fan of shredded chicken recipes in general, you’ll love how similar this recipe is in texture to my Chicken Taco Soup, where tender chicken breasts also cook low and slow until they practically melt into the broth.
Using Chicken Thighs Instead
If you prefer chicken thighs, you can absolutely substitute them in. Just remember to cut back on the broth slightly, since thighs have more fat and release extra juices during cooking.
This will help keep your gravy from thinning out. Thighs do offer a slightly richer flavor, so if you love that, it’s worth trying.
Leftovers
Remove leftovers from the crock pot and transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate. Always make it a habit to clean your crock pot immediately after taking care of any leftovers. It will be easier to clean when the crock pot is still warm.
To reheat leftovers transfer the portion into a microwavable safe bowl and heat for 45 seconds then stir. Continue to microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
And if you have leftover chicken, you can shred it and use it in my chicken poppy seed casserole!
Make Chicken and Gravy in the Instant Pot
Mary commented that she had success with this recipe in the Instant Pot: (You can also look at the tips in my 3-ingredient instant pot salsa chicken)
“I have made this in our Instant Pot almost weekly! Same amounts, just use the pressure cook method for 12 minutes. Natural release and then open and shred per earlier directions. An absolute family favorite! Made it with Instant Pot mashed potatoes too and green beans. Dinner done in roughly 30 and only 2 pots to throw in the dishwasher“
High vs. Low Instant Pot Setting
I have not tried this recipe on Low. On low chicken takes 5-6 hours to cook and turns out fork-tender. If you try this recipe on low please share your results in the comments.
Here are some of the comments left for cooking this recipe on low:
” Made this for the first time tonight and did it on low instead of high. Cooked three fairly thick chicken breasts on low for 6 hours. Was delicious! And chicken shredded super easy. Did have to do a little corn starch slurry to thicken gravy at the end but it was perfect and delicious.”
– Shandra
“I used frozen chicken breasts and cooked it on low for 6.5 hours. It was great!!! The gravy was good and a good consistency.”
– Julie H.
Let me know in the comments what you ended up doing!
Crock-pot Chicken and Gravy
Crock-pot Chicken and Gravy
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds skinless boneless chicken breasts
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 packages 0.87oz McCormick Chicken Gravy Mix
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
- Mix together the chicken broth and gravy packets. Then pour over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.
- Take two forks and pull apart the chicken. The chicken should be fork tender.
- Stir the chicken in the gravy.
- Serve with mashed potatoes and veggies.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 196Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 424mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 36g
All amounts are estimates and DailyAppetite takes no responsibility for actual figures since calculations vary by packaging and supplier.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
This looks amazing!!!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Crock pot meals are the best!
Linsey Sauers says
What is Chicken Gravy Mix? I’ve never heard of it. Where do you find it?
Stephanie Jackson says
I use McCormick Chicken Gravy you can usually find it next to the jars of spices and seasonings in your grocery store.
Diane says
Do you think chicken gravy in a jar would work in place of a gravy mix?
Stephanie Jackson says
I have never worked with the jarred gravy before so unfortunately I don’t know! I would guess it wouldn’t work because you need the 2 cups liquid to cook the chicken and get it fork tender. If you decide to try it please come back and let me know how it turned out.
Stephanie
Roxanne King says
Over with the packets of gravy mixes, maybe with seasonings/spices or ASK where it is.
Kim O says
I made this today and it’s soo good. I love the fact there is no cream of soup as an ingredient. I stay away from making crockpot recipes with cream of soups.
Libbie says
Can you use frozen chicken?
Kacie says
Do you have to make the gravy first then mix with chicken broth?
Stephanie Jackson says
Hi Kacie,
No. Just mix the two gravy packets with the chicken broth and pour over the chicken.
I will update the recipe card to clarify.
Stephanie
Ashley says
Whenever we make this recipe we always use the jarred chicken gravy and it turns out great!
Deborah Clemens says
Terrific recipe! Since Thanksgiving this year was just my husband and me, at 7am shortly after he gets home from work I substituted this for the traditional turkey. Served on the buttery mashed potatoes with cornbread stuffing (Stove Top) canned green beans, cranberry sauce and fresh crescent rolls it made a wonderful Thanksgiving meal in only 30 minutes or so. I think I enjoyed this more than the usual family feast that takes days of work and preparation. Thank you for this terrific recipe.
Lorry says
Does it hurt to use the gravy the raw chicken has been in the Crock-Pot with ?
Stephanie Jackson says
No it is fine.
andrea k steen says
Will this work with left it chicken that been cooked in crock pot already? I have some left over chicken already from cooking in crock pot yesterday Will it work if chicken already cooked
Deb says
It’s at the grocery store in a dry packet with all the other mixes. Ask your grocer where dry packet mixes are. You’ll be surprised what’s there.
Madison says
How long if you cook the chicken on low?
Robin says
Did you try it frozen? I am hoping it works!
Whitney says
Did you use frozen chicken breast for this?
Stephanie Jackson says
I did not.
Jeanie Girvan says
Living in South Africa we do not have some of the dried ingredients you talk about I do not no the equivalent
Cherry says
I just cook the chicken in the broth and then remove the cooked chicken and thicken the broth with 2 TBS. cornstarch dissolved in a little cold water. Just stir it in and cook on high until thickened, stirring continually so it does not lump up.
Megan says
Do you think the turkey gravy packets will be ok? My store did not have chicken.
Stephanie Jackson says
Yes absolutely!
Stephanie Jackson says
I have once and have been meaning to retest . If you try it don’t do a quick release. It was a mess!
Abby says
Have you ever tried this in an instapot? Wondering how the recipe would transfer…
Jessica says
What size crock pot is best?
Denise says
Is it on high or low for 4 hours? Thanks!
Denise says
Never mind! Just found it!
Sara says
First I wanted to say this recipe sounds super amazing and super simple!!! Kudos on that; I did wonder if I could use the country gravy packs instead of the chicken or turkey gravy? If anyone has tried this please let me know how it has turned out I love the sound of the original recipe 🙂 my bf wanted me to try it with the country gravy as well 🙂.
Nikita says
How long would cooking take on LOW?
Christina says
Had anyone tried this on low?
Anonymous says
Will low work and how long and okay to use frozen breasts?
Elizabeth says
Can you use frozen chicken in the crockpot and still do the same amount of time?
Tayler says
The label says high for 2 hours but directions say on high for 4 hours. Which is correct? Thank you!
Stephanie Jackson says
It is 4 hours.
Shandra says
Made this for the first time tonight and did it on low instead of high. Cooked three fairly thick chicken breasts on low for 6 hours. Was delicious! And chicken shredded super easy. Did have to do a little corn starch slurry to thicken gravy st the end but it was perfect and delicious.
Julie H says
I used frozen chicken breasts and cooked it on low for 6.5 hours. It was great!!! The gravy was good and a good consistency.
Heather B says
If I want to double the recipe, does it need longer in the crock pot?
Mary says
I have made this in our Instant Pot almost weekly! Same amounts, just use the pressure cook method for 12 minutes. Natural release and then open and shred per earlier directions. An absolute family favorite! Made it with Instant Pot mashed potatoes too and green beans. Dinner done in roughly 30 and only 2 pots to throw in the dishwasher 🙂
Stephanie Jackson says
Thank you so much Mary! I am going to quote your comment in the blog post. I tried it twice in the instant pot and it was to watery. I must have been cooking it too long.
Mary says
Please do – I even double the entire thing when friends are over and it still works well – same timing with double the ingredients. FWIW, I have never made this in the crock pot so the Instant Pot version may be a thinner gravy but we love it!!! Mine looks like the pic too – I am actually making it tonight and will send to you 🙂
Stephanie Jackson says
Awesome thanks so much! I will have to try it again in the Instant Pot. Maybe a couple weeks after Thanksgiving since I will be in Turkey & Gravy heaven!
Angie says
Do you think it would be ok to cook carrots in with the chicken and gravy?
Stephanie Jackson says
Hi Angie,
My only thought would be that the carrots when cooked will add moisture and this may prevent the gravy from thickening up.
Kaylie says
Hi! I want to double the recipe. How long would you suggest cooking it in the crockpot ?
Kara says
Anyone thicken the gravy at all?
Stacey says
This was a hit tonight!!!!! Family loved it!! So easy. I did add corn starch at end (mixed the corn starch in a little bit of cold water first, as per corn starch directions) and it wasn’t perfect.
This recipe will now be a regular dinner. Thank you for posting!!
Stacey says
Correction – This was a hit tonight!!!!! Family loved it!! So easy. I did add corn starch at end (mixed the corn starch in a little bit of cold water first, as per corn starch directions) and it WAS perfect.
This recipe will now be a regular dinner. Thank you for posting!!