The Ultimate SetandForget Crockpot Chicken and Creamy Gravy

Crockpot Chicken Gravy

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:240 Mins

Servings:6 servings

Ingredients:

• lbs (1.1 kg) Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
• large Yellow Onion, roughly chopped
• medium Carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
• Celery Stalks, roughly chopped
• cups (480 ml) Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• tsp Dried Thyme
• tsp Garlic Powder
• /2 tsp Smoked Paprika
• Salt and Black Pepper to taste
• Tbsp Unsalted Butter
• Tbsp All-Purpose Flour
• /2 cup Heavy Cream or Milk (optional)
• Tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

• Pat the chicken thighs dry. Season generously on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
• Place the chopped onions, carrots, and celery in the bottom of the Crockpot insert. Place the seasoned chicken thighs evenly over the vegetables.
• Pour the chicken broth over the chicken and sprinkle dried thyme on top.
• Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender.
• Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the Crockpot and place it on a cutting board or in a large bowl. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
• Pour the remaining liquid and cooked vegetables from the Crockpot through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup or bowl. Discard the cooked vegetables. You should aim for about 3 cups of strained liquid.
• In a separate saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour continuously for 1-2 minutes until a smooth, light brown roux forms.
• Slowly pour about 2 cups of the strained chicken cooking liquid into the hot roux, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Once smooth, gradually add the remaining liquid until the gravy reaches your desired consistency.
• Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes until it thickens nicely. Stir in the heavy cream (if using) and taste for final seasoning adjustments.
• Return the shredded chicken to the gravy, toss to coat thoroughly, and sprinkle with fresh parsley just before serving over mashed potatoes or noodles.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:804 kcal

Protein:12.7 g

Fat:18.4 g

Carbs:72.0 g

Fiber:22.8 g

Sugar:0.0 g

Sodium:114 mg

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:British

The Ultimate Set-and-Forget Crockpot Chicken and Creamy Gravy

This recipe takes the fuss out of a Sunday dinner staple. By slow-cooking chicken thighs with aromatic vegetables and rich broth in the Crockpot, you achieve incredibly tender, pull-apart meat. We finish the slow-cooked juices with a quick roux right at the end, transforming them into a velvety, deeply flavourful gravy that’s perfect spooned over mashed potatoes or a good crusty roll. It’s pure, unpretentious, British-style comfort food magic! The difficulty level here is decidedly Easy , as the majority of the work involves simple chopping and dumping ingredients into the slow cooker. The only slightly "technical" step is making the final gravy, which we break down into super simple, lump-free stages. You'll need about 20 minutes of active preparation time, but the slow cooker will handle the rest over 6 to 8 hours on Low (or 3 to 4 hours on High), serving 6 hearty portions.

Why Slow-Cooking Reigns Supreme for Comfort Food

The beauty of using a slow cooker for this type of hearty dish is unmatched. It allows flavours to meld together over an extended period without any fear of scorching or drying out the protein. This method is the backbone of many cozy fall meals crockpot enthusiasts rely on when the weather turns chilly.

Unveiling Effortless Weeknight Wonders

When you opt for a slow cooker, you are essentially front-loading your cooking time. Toss the ingredients in before heading off to work or before the morning rush, and come home to the incredible aroma of a home-cooked meal. This truly is the pinnacle of fall cozy meals crockpot preparation, requiring minimal attention when you need energy the most.

Achieving Ultra-Tender, Pull-Apart Meat

The combination of low heat and consistent moisture breaks down the connective tissues in the chicken thighs beautifully. This results in meat that doesn't just require slicing—it falls apart with the gentle prod of a fork, making it ideal for mixing directly into the luxurious gravy.

Your Foolproof Guide to Classic Flavors

We are aiming for deep, savory notes without relying on pre-packaged seasonings. This crockpot chicken and gravy recipe builds its foundation on real aromatics—onion, carrot, and celery—paired with quality broth, ensuring a robust flavour profile that proves you don't need a crockpot chicken and gravy no gravy mix product to achieve greatness.

Assembling the Components for Deep Flavor

Before the magic begins in the slow cooker, selecting and prepping your components is key to maximizing the final outcome of your Crockpot Chicken and Cream Of Chicken style flavour profile (though we are achieving creaminess naturally at the end).

Selecting the Best Cuts for Slow Cooking

For this preparation, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are the champion. They possess a higher fat content than breasts, which keeps them succulent throughout the long cooking process. You will need about 2.5 lbs (1.1 kg) of thighs for this batch.

The Core List: Chicken, Broth, and Aromatics

The base flavour starts with the trinity of rough-chopped vegetables: one large yellow onion, three medium carrots, and two celery stalks, nestled in the bottom of your 5-to-7-quart slow cooker. The chicken thighs are seasoned generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a touch of smoked paprika for colour. Two cups of low-sodium chicken broth are poured over everything, along with 1 teaspoon of dried thyme. This simple assembly is ready for its long simmer.

Gravy Thickening Agents: Mastering the Roux Alternative

While some might reach for canned soup, this recipe champions a traditional method for the gravy, requiring only unsalted butter (4 tablespoons) and all-purpose flour (4 tablespoons). This forms the roux—the foundation of a classic, smooth sauce—which we create after the chicken is cooked, using the flavorful cooking juices. If you prefer an alternative, cornstarch mixed with cold water can also be used later, offering a path to crockpot chicken and gravy no soup .

Essential Equipment for Crockpot Success

While the slow cooker does the heavy lifting, you must have a large, sturdy skillet or saucepan ready for the final gravy stage. A good whisk is indispensable for ensuring your roux incorporates the cooking liquid smoothly, preventing those unwelcome lumps.

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The Sequential Path to Deliciousness

Once the ingredients are prepped, the process is wonderfully straightforward. The seasoned chicken thighs are nestled atop the rough-chopped vegetables in the cooker. The broth goes in, followed by the dried herbs. Cover it securely, set it to LOW for 6 to 8 hours , or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours . The goal is absolute tenderness, allowing the meat to yield easily.

Transforming Juices into Velvety Gravy

The magic of a truly great crockpot chicken and gravy dish happens after the slow cooking phase, where the pot liquor becomes the star.

Loading the Slow Cooker: Layering for Flavor

The key to building layered flavour starts with placing the root vegetables at the bottom. They soften and infuse the broth, and the chicken sits above them, gently steaming in the moist heat.

Setting the Timer: Low and Slow Cooking Times

Always err on the side of longer cooking times at a lower temperature when dealing with large cuts of poultry in a slow cooker. This ensures the meat retains maximum moisture, making the shredding process nearly effortless.

Shredding Secrets: The Easy Way to Pull Chicken

Once the cooking cycle completes, use tongs to carefully remove the chicken to a separate dish. Two sturdy forks make quick work of shredding the meat into rustic, bite-sized pieces. Keep the rendered juices and vegetables in the pot for the next, crucial step.

Creating the Signature Creamy Crockpot Chicken and Gravy Sauce

This is where we achieve that signature richness, perfect for serving crockpot chicken and gravy over rice or potatoes. First, strain the cooking liquid and discard the spent vegetables. In a separate saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter and whisk in 4 tablespoons of flour to create a smooth roux, cooking it for one minute until nutty. Slowly—and I mean slowly , whisking constantly—pour about 2 cups of the warm strained cooking liquid into the roux. Once completely smooth, add the remaining liquid until you reach the right consistency. Simmer for 3- 5 minutes until thickened. For extra luxurious texture, stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream to create a wonderful crockpot chicken and gravy with sour cream -like richness. Return the shredded chicken to the thickened gravy, toss well, and garnish with fresh parsley.

Elevating Your Comfort Classic

This foundational recipe lends itself beautifully to creative adjustments. For those seeking depth, sautéing 8 oz of cremini mushrooms in the butter before adding the flour transforms this into a hearty Chicken & Mushroom Gravy. Alternatively, using fresh sage and rosemary instead of thyme adds a wonderfully woodsy note, ideal for robust cozy fall meals crockpot menus.

Serving Suggestions and Storage Mastery

The absolute best way to enjoy this dish is spooned generously over fluffy mashed potatoes, creating the quintessential crockpot chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes . It is equally satisfying ladled over a bed of white rice.

Flavor Variations: Beyond the Standard Recipe

If you want a tangier flavour profile, a spoonful of Dijon mustard whisked into the final gravy mixture offers a lovely brightness that cuts through the richness of the cream.

Troubleshooting: Why Isn't My Gravy Thick Enough?

If your gravy remains too thin even after simmering for several minutes, the solution is simple: create a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch whisked into 1/4 cup cold water) and whisk this gradually into the simmering sauce until it thickens. Remember, the gravy will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.

Storing Leftovers of Your Delicious Crockpot Chicken and Gravy

This Crockpot Chicken and Gravy keeps wonderfully. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The gravy will solidify considerably upon chilling; simply reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of extra broth or water as needed to restore the creamy consistency for enjoying over fresh sides or bread.