Slow Cooker Chicken And Gravy (Easy Crockpot Recipe)

This slow cooker chicken and gravy is a delicious and simple dinner you can throw together and let it cook while you tackle your day. Tender boneless chicken that is smothered in a rich and creamy gravy. Serve this chicken and gravy over a bed of mashed potatoes, rice, or even on bread.

Slow cookers are so popular for the fall and winter months. It allows you to have those comfort food dinners that leave you feeling satisfied. Make sure to try out these other slow cooker recipes. Mississippi chicken, potato, and corn chowder, or try this beef and broccoli.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless Cooking: Set it and forget it—this recipe fits perfectly with your busy schedule, allowing you to prepare a hearty meal with minimal preparation and supervision.
• Flavorful and Satisfying: Each bite of the chicken is infused with the rich, homemade gravy, ensuring a comfort meal that’s both savory and indulgent.
• Versatility at its Best: The versatility of this dish allows you to pair it with various sides, whether it’s classic mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or crusty bread to sop up the gravy.
• Leftover Magic: Not only is it fantastic for dinner, but the leftovers make for an easy and delicious lunch the next day, keeping the flavors even more profound and enjoyable.

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Chicken And Gravy Recipe

• Chicken – You will want to use boneless and skinless chicken as once it is cooked, you will shred it up or even dice it up. You don’t want to use bone-in and miss a bone.
• Cream of Chicken Soup – This is going to help give your gravy a nice thick consistency.
• Chicken Gravy Mix – These packets of chicken gravy mix are flavorful and easy to find at the grocery store.
• Seasonings – Salt, Pepper, dry minced onions, and parsley are what you need for seasoning.
• Chicken Broth – The broth will help to add liquid to activate the gravy mix to help it become that perfect thickness.

The complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.

Substitutions and Variations

• Soup Substitute: If you don’t have cream of chicken soup, you can use cream of mushroom or cream of celery for a different flavor profile.
• Gravy Mix Alternative: In the absence of chicken gravy mix, you can use a beef or turkey gravy mix for a unique twist on the classic taste.
• Low-Sodium Options: For those watching their salt intake, opt for low-sodium versions of the cream soup and chicken broth.
• Herbs & Spices: Feel free to experiment with additional herbs and spices such as thyme, garlic powder, or sage for an extra layer of flavor.
• Vegetarian Switch: To accommodate a vegetarian diet, swap the chicken for a plant-based substitute like tofu or seitan and use a creamy vegetarian soup and vegetarian broth.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free gravy mix and a gluten-free cream of chicken soup.

How To Make

1. Combine soup, gravy, broth, and seasonings in a bowl. Stir to mix. (Photo 1)
2. Pour a thin layer of the gravy mixture into the slow cooker. (Photo 2)

1. Place the chicken in the cooker and pour some of the sauce over it. Add the remaining chicken and cover with the remaining sauce. (Photo 3)
2. Cook according to the instructed time, then serve. (Photo 4)

Recipe Tips 

• Thickness Adjustment: If the gravy is too thick after cooking, you can thin it by adding a little more chicken broth until the desired consistency is reached.
• Avoid Overcooking: To ensure the chicken remains tender and juicy, avoid cooking it longer than the recommended time.
• Serving Suggestion: For an added touch, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or chives before serving to add color and fresh flavor.
• Creamy Twist: For an even creamier gravy, consider stirring in a splash of heavy cream or sour cream during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
• Shredding Shortcut: Use two forks or a hand mixer to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker for convenience and to let the chicken soak up more gravy.

Alternative Cooking Methods

If you don’t have a slow cooker or you’re short on time, an Instant Pot offers a fantastic alternative to make this chicken and gravy recipe. The process is just as simple and yields equally delicious results. Here’s how you can adapt the recipe for the Instant Pot:

1. Set your Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode and pour in a bit of chicken broth to heat up. Add the chicken and seasonings, sautéing briefly to add a touch of color.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, gravy mix, and remaining chicken broth until well combined.
3. Pour the soup and gravy mixture over the chicken in the Instant Pot.
4. Seal the lid set the Instant Pot to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” mode and adjust the time to cook for about 15 minutes under high pressure.
5. Once the cooking is complete, allow for natural pressure release. After that, you can serve the juicy chicken and creamy gravy with your preferred sides.

Remember, when using the Instant Pot, the cook time is significantly reduced, so this option is perfect for those evenings when you need a comforting meal without the wait.

Storing Tips 

You will want to store any leftover chicken pieces and gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. The savory gravy will thicken, but once you warm it up, it will not be as thick again.

If you make brown rice as a side, I recommend storing any leftover sides in separate containers. That way, you can reheat this hearty meal one dish at a time, and it won’t cause food to become soggy.

Serving Suggestions

Not sure what to serve with this perfect comfort food dinner? Well, we love to pair it with egg noodles, rice, mashed potatoes, and more. You can even pair it with a side of your favorite vegetables to balance out this delicious dinner from carb-heavy to lighter sides.

You can shred, dice up the chicken, or leave the large chicken breasts whole and dish them up that way. We also love serving a side of Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, or even dinner rolls; this dinner is all delicious.

Recipe FAQs

More Comfort Food Recipes

• Spicy Slow Cooker Chili
• Instant Pot Creamy Tortellini and Sausage
• Salsa Verde Pork
• Instant Pot Goulash
• Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta
• See all our crockpot recipes!