Crockpot Chicken and Gravy – Tender, Juicy & Packed with Comforting Flavor (Set It & Forget It!)

🍲 Crockpot Chicken and Gravy

Serves 4–6 | Prep: 15 min | Cook: 6–8 hrs (low) or 3–4 hrs (high) | Total: ~6–8 hrs

🛒 Ingredients

For the Chicken:

3–4 lbs chicken pieces (bone-in thighs & drumsticks for best flavor, or boneless breasts/thighs)

Salt & black pepper to taste

2 tbsp olive oil (for optional searing)

For the Aromatics:

1 large onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 carrots, sliced

2 celery stalks, chopped

For the Gravy:

3 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)

2 tbsp cornstarch (or arrowroot powder) + 2 tbsp cold water (slurry for thickening)

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried rosemary (or 1 sprig fresh)

1 bay leaf

Optional: splash of white wine or Worcestershire sauce for depth

For Serving:

Mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice

Steamed green beans or peas

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Prep the Chicken

Pat chicken dry with paper towels.

Season generously with salt and pepper.

🔥 Optional Pro Move: Sear chicken in olive oil over medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes per side before adding to crockpot — deepens flavor and color!

2️⃣ Layer in the Crockpot

In your slow cooker, layer:

Onion, carrots, celery (base veggies)

Chicken pieces (skin-side up if using skin-on)

Pour in chicken broth

Add thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, and optional Worcestershire or wine

💡 Tip: Don’t overcrowd — arrange in a single layer if possible.

3️⃣ Cook Low & Slow

Cover and cook:

Low: 6–8 hours

High: 3–4 hours

Chicken is done when internal temp reaches 165°F and meat pulls easily from the bone.

4️⃣ Make the Gravy

Remove chicken and veggies; keep warm.

Discard bay leaf.

Skim excess fat from the liquid if desired.

In a small bowl, mix cornstarch + cold water into a smooth slurry.

Pour liquid from crockpot into a saucepan.

Whisk in slurry and simmer 3–5 minutes, stirring constantly, until gravy thickens.

🧈 Optional Upgrade: Stir in 1–2 tbsp butter at the end for glossy richness.

5️⃣ Serve & Enjoy

Slice or shred chicken (discard bones).

Return to the pot with veggies and gravy, or serve separately.

Ladle over mashed potatoes or buttered noodles.

Garnish with fresh parsley.

🍽️ Serving Idea: Pair with a crisp salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.

🌈 Variations & Pro Hacks

🌱 Gluten-Free? Use cornstarch or arrowroot (not flour) for thickening

🍚 Creamier Gravy? Stir in ¼ cup sour cream or heavy cream at the end

🧊 Make-Ahead Magic: Cool and refrigerate up to 4 days — flavors deepen overnight

❄️ Freeze It! Freeze cooked chicken & gravy (without starch) up to 3 months. Thaw, reheat, then thicken with slurry

🌶️ Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or smoked paprika to seasoning

🌿 Fresh Herbs? Swap dried for 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme and rosemary

🧠 Why This Gravy Is So Good (No Soup Needed!)

Unlike recipes that rely on canned soup, this gravy builds flavor from:

Searing (optional but powerful) – Maillard reaction = deep browning & taste

Aromatic veggies – Onions, carrots, celery = flavor base (aka mirepoix)

Slow extraction – Long cook time pulls flavor from bones and herbs

Cornstarch slurry – Thickens smoothly without lumps

It’s homemade goodness through and through.

❤️ Final Thought: Sometimes, the Best Dinners Are the Simple Ones

You don’t need fancy techniques or exotic ingredients to make a meal that feels special.

Just good chicken, real food, and time.

This Crockpot Chicken and Gravy proves that the simplest recipes often become family favorites — the kind passed down not because they’re complicated, but because they fill bellies, warm hearts, and bring people together.

So turn on the slow cooker, let the house fill with that golden aroma… and know that dinner is already taken care of.

Because comfort never goes out of style. 💛