Crock Pot Chicken And Gravy

Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy is the ultimate comfort food — tender shredded chicken slow-cooked in a rich, savory gravy that practically makes itself. This easy weeknight dinner comes together with just a few pantry staples, and the slow cooker does all the work while you go about your day. My family loves it piled high over creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice with a side of buttery rolls to soak up every last drop. It’s hearty, cozy, and the kind of recipe you’ll reach for again and again — especially on busy nights when you want a homemade meal without the fuss.

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I love that I can toss everything in the slow cooker in the morning while Ariya is busy with her toys and Cameron is in his high chair “supervising,” and by dinnertime the whole house smells like comfort food magic. James usually wanders through the kitchen asking if it’s ready yet because he knows it’s going to be good over mashed potatoes or rice with plenty of buttery rolls on the side. It’s a busy-night lifesaver that still feels like a Sunday supper. This is the perfect busy weeknight dinner. You can throw it together in the morning, walk away, and let the slow cooker handle all the work. Crockpot meals are always welcome in my home all year round.

Craving more slow cooker recipes: Try my 3-ingredients meatballs, Mississippi ribeye steaks, or my hearty crockpot chicken and noodles.

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Reasons You Will Love This Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy Recipe…

• This recipe takes about 5 minutes to prep! Just set it and forget it till the dish is done cooking.
• Perfect for beginners in the kitchen who want an easy dinner to make.
• This recipe is a total comfort food dinner! It features tender, juicy chicken paired with a rich gravy. It screams grandma’s house.
• You can serve it in many ways, making it a versatile dish to whip up and enjoy.

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List of Ingredients Needed

Chicken: I do recommend using boneless chicken for this recipe. I opted for chicken breasts for a lean protein. But you can use boneless chicken thighs, tenderloins, etc.

Chicken Gravy Mix: You can buy this in the spice aisle. It will add flavor and help thicken the mixture up in the slow cooker.

Cream of Chicken Soup: This ingredient adds a creamy texture to the dish and will richen up the chicken flavors.

Seasonings: Salt and pepper can be used to flavor to taste. Minced parsley adds a pop of color at the end of the serving.

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Variations to Recipe

Pork: Instead of chicken, swap it with some boneless pork chops in the slow cooker. Just ensure you cook the pork until it is fully cooked all the way through.

Vegetables: Consider tossing in some cubed or diced potatoes, carrots, or other vegetables of choice. Even some fresh green beans would be a great pairing.

Spices: Feel free to use different spices to change the flavor slightly. Creole, cayenne for spice, paprika, or other spice blends can be used.

Herbs: Fresh herbs will enhance the dish’s flavor. Thyme, sage, or even rosemary could be great to sprinkle on top.

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Storing Leftovers

Refrigerate: The leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Freeze: Want to freeze leftovers? Place them in a freezer-friendly container and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or defrost straight from the freezer.

Reheating: Warm the chicken and gravy in the microwave or a saucepan on the stovetop. Heat on low so the mixture doesn’t burn. Stir often.

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Tips For Success

Grease Crock Pot

You can lightly grease the crock pot or use a liner to help make the cleanup process more accessible so the food doesn’t get stuck and burn onto the edges.

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Mix Ingredients

When you add the ingredients to the slow cooker, pour and mix them evenly. You want the ingredients mixed to taste even when you eat the chicken and gravy.

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Don’t Overcook

Chicken can become dry if it is overcooked in a slow cooker. Use a meat thermometer to check when the chicken is fully cooked. The internal temperature needs to read 165 degrees internally.

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Serving Suggestions

There are so many ways to serve up this chicken and gravy. For example, we love to serve over a bed of mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, rice, cauliflower rice, or even vegetables. However, you can serve it any way you would like.

Make some fresh bread to pair with it, and use it to soak up all the gravy on your plate.

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FAQ: Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy

Can I use frozen chicken in the crock pot for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe, but keep in mind that they will release more liquid as they cook. This can make your gravy slightly thinner, so you may want to whisk in a little cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons cold water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking if you prefer a thicker gravy. Also, cooking times will be longer — plan on an extra hour on low for frozen chicken.

What cut of chicken works best for Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy?
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are most commonly used because they shred easily and stay lean, but boneless chicken thighs work just as well. Thighs are naturally more tender and a little richer in flavor because they have slightly more fat. Both cuts work beautifully, so it comes down to your preference.

How long should I cook chicken in the crock pot for this recipe?
For perfectly tender chicken breasts, cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours. If you’re using thighs, they can handle the same cooking time and stay juicy. Overcooking can make chicken dry, so stick to these times for the best texture.

How do I thicken the gravy if it’s too runny?
If your gravy is thinner than you like, you can whisk in a cornstarch slurry toward the end of cooking or after shredding the chicken. Turn the slow cooker to high and whisk 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water into the sauce. Cover and let it cook for 10–15 minutes until thickened.

Can I make Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy ahead of time?
Absolutely! This recipe reheats beautifully. Cook it as directed, let it cool slightly, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. When ready to serve, reheat in a covered skillet on the stove over medium heat or pop it back into the slow cooker on warm until heated through.

Does this recipe freeze well?
Yes! Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy freezes like a dream. Cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat on the stove or in the slow cooker with a splash of chicken broth to loosen the sauce.

What should I serve with Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy?
This recipe is so versatile. It’s delicious over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice, but you can also serve it with roasted vegetables, biscuits, or even over a baked potato for a quick weeknight meal.

Can I add vegetables to this recipe?
Yes, but it’s best to use hearty veggies like carrots or potatoes if you want to cook them right in the crock pot with the chicken. Add them at the beginning of cooking so they’re tender by the time the chicken is done.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not as written because the gravy mix and cream of chicken soup usually contain gluten. However, you can make it gluten-free by using a certified gluten-free gravy mix and a gluten-free cream soup alternative or homemade version.

Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Yes! As long as your crock pot is large enough to hold everything, you can double the ingredients. Cooking time stays the same — just make sure the chicken pieces are in a single layer for even cooking.

How do I keep chicken from drying out in the crock pot?
Cooking on low heat instead of high helps keep chicken juicy and tender. Also, be sure not to overcook it; once chicken reaches 165°F internally, it’s done. Shredding it right into the gravy helps it stay moist, too.

Can I use homemade cream of chicken soup instead of canned?
Definitely. A simple homemade version with butter, flour, chicken broth, and milk can be whisked together in minutes and used in place of canned soup if you prefer to keep things from-scratch.

Is there a way to make Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy lower in sodium?
Yes, use low-sodium chicken broth and choose reduced-sodium gravy mix and cream of chicken soup. You can always season with salt to taste at the end if needed.

Can I use turkey instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Leftover cooked turkey works great — just stir it into the sauce during the last hour of cooking since it’s already cooked and just needs to heat through.

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Instant Pot Directions for Chicken and Gravy

If you want to use the Instant Pot instead of the slow cooker, here’s how to make Chicken and Gravy pressure-cooked — faster, still super tender, and just as comforting.

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Instructions below (you use the same ingredients as the slow cooker)

1. Prep the Instant Pot:
   • Lightly spray the inner pot of your Instant Pot with cooking spray or rub with a little butter/oil (this helps prevent sticking).
   • Season your chicken breasts with salt and pepper and place them in the Instant Pot.
2. Mix the sauce/gravy:
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken gravy mix, cream of chicken soup, and chicken broth. Make sure the gravy mix is fully dissolved so it doesn’t clump.
3. Add to Instant Pot:
   • Pour that sauce mixture over the chicken in the pot. Give a gentle stir to distribute everything, but don’t worry about coating every piece — pressure will do the work.
4. Set pressure cooking:
   • Put the lid on, seal the vent.
   • Cook on High Pressure for about 10–12 minutes (if your chicken breasts are of average size ~1.5-2″ thick).
   • If using frozen chicken, go for 15 minutes (check meat thermometer later).
5. Release pressure:
   • Once the cook time is up, do a Natural Pressure Release for 5 minutes (let the pressure come down gradually) then carefully switch to Quick Release for the rest.
6. Shred or slice chicken:
   • Open the lid, remove the chicken, and shred using two forks or slice as preferred.
   • If your gravy is too thin, you can turn on the “Sauté” function, let the gravy simmer for a few minutes until it thickens to your liking.
7. Serve and garnish:
   • Return the chicken to the pot with the gravy. Stir, then serve over mashed potatoes, rice, roasted veggies, or whatever you like.
   • Garnish with minced fresh parsley or herbs for color.

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Tips & Notes

• If you want a richer gravy, add a splash more broth and stir in a little butter at the end while using Sauté mode.
• Taste test before adding salt — gravy mixes and cream soups already have salt, and pressure cooking can intensify it.
• If you’re doubling the recipe, make sure the Instant Pot is not overfilled (it should not go past the max fill line), and you might need a minute or two more cook time.

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Personal Kitchen Notes & Final Thoughts

After making this Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy more times than I can count, I can honestly say it’s one of those recipes that never lets me down. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting — you just layer everything in, set it, and by dinnertime the chicken is falling apart and the house smells amazing.

One thing I’ve learned over time is to always whisk the gravy mix, cream of chicken soup, and broth together before pouring it over the chicken. It keeps the sauce smooth and lump-free, and you can easily adjust the amount of broth depending on how much gravy your family likes. We’re a “gravy on everything” household, so I sometimes add a splash more broth toward the end if we want extra for mashed potatoes or rice.

What I love most is how flexible it is — it works with chicken breasts or thighs, it’s perfect for hectic weeknights, and the leftovers taste just as good the next day. Sometimes I even shred the chicken right in the crock pot so it soaks up every drop of that savory gravy before serving.

If you want a no-fuss, family-pleasing dinner that practically makes itself, this is the one I keep coming back to year after year.

More Crock Pot Recipes

• Beef and Au Gratin Potatoes
• Texas Cowboy Stew
• Buffalo Chicken Pasta