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Amazing Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy Flavor

By anna Boncoeur On November 2, 2025

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy is what happens when you need maximum flavor with minimum fuss after a long day. Hi everyone, I’m Anna, and I’m obsessed with sharing simple, flavorful chicken recipes that make everyday cooking feel joyful instead of like a chore. This dish is pure, unadulterated comfort food—tender chicken bathing in the most savory, velvety sauce you can imagine.

I’ve spent years figuring out how to get that deep, slow-cooked taste without standing over a hot stove. This recipe is my go-to blueprint for busy weeknights. It uses pantry staples and just a little bit of whisking magic right at the start. Trust me, when you smell this cooking all afternoon, you’ll know you’ve made the right choice for dinner tonight.

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy - detail 1

Gathering Ingredients for Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy

Getting ready for this Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy is almost as easy as the cooking itself! Since this recipe relies on pantry powerhouses, we want to make sure we have everything measured out perfectly before we turn on that slow cooker. It really only takes about ten minutes of prep work, and then you can forget about it until dinner time.

Essential Components for Rich Gravy

Here’s what you need to grab for six perfect servings. Pay close attention to the type of soup and broth—it really makes a difference in the final texture!

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 packets chicken gravy mix (about 0.87 ounces each)
1 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup
1 3/4 cups low sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Determining Equipment Needs

You won’t need a dozen pots and pans for this one, thank goodness! The main thing is your slow cooker, of course. Make sure you have a standard 6-quart model ready to go. You’ll also need a medium mixing bowl and a whisk, plus a meat thermometer—that’s non-negotiable for safe chicken!

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy

Now for the fun part! This is where the magic of the Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy really takes over. You barely have to lift a finger after this initial setup, which is exactly what I love about slow cooker meals. Just follow these steps closely, and you’ll have dinner ready when you walk in the door.

Preparing the Chicken Base

First things first, grab your 6-quart slow cooker insert and give it a quick spray with cooking oil—don’t skip this, even if you think your cooker is non-stick! Lay your two pounds of chicken breasts right down in the bottom. They should fit nicely in a single layer. Next, we season. Sprinkle them lightly but evenly with one teaspoon of kosher salt and half a teaspoon of black pepper. Keep it simple here; the gravy is bringing all the big flavor!

Mixing the Creamy Gravy Sauce

In a separate medium bowl, we create the sauce backbone. You need to combine those two packets of gravy mix, the entire can of cream of chicken soup, the broth, garlic powder, and dried thyme. This is important: use your whisk and mix everything until it looks completely smooth. Seriously, whisk until you don’t see any dry lumps of gravy mix floating around. If you pour in lumps, you’re going to have lumpy gravy later, and we definitely don’t want that!

Slow Cooking Times and Temperature Checks

Pour that beautiful, smooth mixture right over the seasoned chicken breasts. Make sure the liquid covers most of the meat—it’s going to shrink a bit, but we want it submerged as much as possible. Now, put the lid on tight. You have options here: cook it on LOW for five to six hours, or if you’re in a pinch, HIGH for three to four hours. No matter which setting you choose, you absolutely must check the internal temperature near the end. Chicken is done when it hits 165 degrees Fahrenheit, confirmed with a reliable meat thermometer. Don’t guess on chicken!

Finishing and Shredding Your Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy

Once that temperature is hit, carefully take the chicken out and put it on a cutting board or into a clean bowl. Use two forks—this is the best tool for the job—and shred the chicken until it’s nice and flaky. Go ahead and return all that shredded goodness back into the slow cooker pot with the remaining gravy. Stir it all up so every piece gets coated in that rich sauce. If you feel like the gravy is a little thin for your liking, take the lid off slightly ajar and let it cook on HIGH for another 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens up just right.

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy - detail 2

Tips for Success with Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy

Even with a recipe as simple as Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy, a few little tricks can take it from good to absolutely unforgettable. I’ve messed this up plenty of times when I first started, usually by rushing the last step! These small adjustments make sure your chicken is tender and your gravy is exactly the right consistency every single time you make it.

Achieving the Ideal Gravy Thickness

If you pull the lid off and the gravy is running like soup, don’t panic! This is super common. The best way to fix thin gravy is to put the lid back on slightly ajar—meaning, don’t seal it tight, just let a little steam escape. Crank the heat to HIGH for 10 to 15 minutes. The evaporation concentrates the sauce beautifully. Remember to stir it every so often while it’s reducing so it doesn’t scorch on the bottom.

Flavor Boosters and Simple Additions

For those nights when you want to spoil your family a little extra, I always keep a couple of tablespoons of cold, unsalted butter on hand. Stirring that butter in during the last ten minutes of cooking is my secret weapon. It melts right into the sauce, giving the Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy a fantastic sheen and an unbelievable richness that you just can’t beat. It smooths out any sharpness from the soup mix, too!

Serving Suggestions for Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy

This Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy is the definition of comfort food, so you need partners that can soak up all that amazing sauce! My absolute favorite way to serve it is spooned generously over a big mound of fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes—it’s a match made in heaven. If you’re looking for something lighter, it’s spectacular ladled over steamed white rice, too. For more easy dinner ideas, check out my one-skillet fiesta chicken and rice.

But don’t stop there! This chicken is fantastic piled high on warm, split biscuits for a real Southern-style dinner. Honestly, you can even use it as a filling for savory chicken pot pie topping. Whatever you choose, make sure you have something ready to catch all that extra gravy! If you enjoy slow-cooked meals, you might also like my recipe for slow cooker chicken korma.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy

Even though this Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy is so good you’ll want to eat it all in one sitting, leftovers are fantastic! Store any unused portions in airtight containers right away. You want to get it into the fridge within two hours of it finishing cooking for the best quality and safety.

When you’re ready to eat it again, the microwave is your best friend. Reheat small portions gently until they are steaming hot all the way through. If the gravy seems a little thicker than you remember, just stir in a splash of extra broth or water while heating to bring back that perfect creamy texture. For more ways to save and share recipes, follow along on Pinterest!

Storage Duration 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator
Best Reheat Method Stovetop or Microwave with a splash of liquid

Common Questions About Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy

I know when you’re trying a new recipe, especially one you want to be your weeknight champion, you’ve got questions! Don’t worry, I’ve tested this Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy recipe dozens of times, and I’ve learned a few things along the way. Here are the most common things folks ask me about making this easy comfort food.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy?

Absolutely, yes! Chicken thighs are actually fantastic here because they have a bit more fat, which keeps them incredibly moist even when slow-cooked for hours. If you swap them in, you should be fine sticking to the same timing, but because thighs are often slightly smaller, they might finish cooking closer to the 4-hour mark on high. Always rely on that meat thermometer—165 degrees Fahrenheit is the magic number, no matter the cut!

How can I make this recipe dairy-free?

That’s a great question for folks with sensitivities! The main issues are the cream of chicken soup and the butter I sometimes suggest adding. You can substitute the cream of chicken soup with a good quality dairy-free cream of chicken substitute, or just use an extra half-cup of broth mixed with a tablespoon of cornstarch at the end to thicken. Skip the optional butter addition, and you’re golden!

What herbs pair well with this gravy recipe?

The dried thyme we use is classic and pairs perfectly with that savory gravy mix, but feel free to experiment! If you have fresh herbs on hand, a teaspoon of fresh chopped sage stirred in with the broth is just heavenly with chicken. Dried sage works too, just use about a quarter teaspoon. A little sprinkle of dried rosemary also adds a lovely, earthy note to your shredded chicken.

Recipe Metrics and Estimated Nutritional Data

When I’m planning meals, I like to have a quick look at the numbers, even if I’m not counting every single bite! This Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy recipe is designed to be a hearty, satisfying meal that feeds six people generously. Please remember these figures are just estimates based on the ingredients listed, so they can vary a bit depending on your exact products. If you are looking for other ways to prepare chicken breasts, check out my guide on oven-baked boneless skinless chicken.

Yield 6 servings
Protein 42 grams
Fat 16 grams
Calories (Est.) 360
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Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy

Amazing Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy Flavor


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  • Author: anna-Bonc
  • Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Low Fat

Description

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Gravy delivers tender chicken swimming in a rich savory sauce. This is easy comfort food for your family.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 packets chicken gravy mix (about 0.87 ounces each)
  • 1 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 3/4 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions

  1. Lightly grease a 6 quart slow cooker. Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in the bottom. Season with salt and black pepper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken gravy mix, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, garlic powder, and dried thyme until smooth.
  3. Pour the gravy mixture evenly over the chicken. Ensure the chicken is mostly covered by the liquid.
  4. Cover and cook. Use the low setting for 5 to 6 hours or the high setting for 3 to 4 hours. Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Always measure with a meat thermometer.
  5. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker. Shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the gravy and stir to coat it completely.
  6. For a thicker gravy, remove the lid slightly ajar. Cook on high for an extra 10 to 15 minutes, stirring sometimes.
  7. Serve hot over mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or warm biscuits. Spoon extra gravy on top.

Notes

  • For extra richness, stir in 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: Unknown
  • Sodium: Unknown
  • Fat: 16 grams
  • Saturated Fat: Unknown
  • Unsaturated Fat: Unknown
  • Trans Fat: Unknown
  • Carbohydrates: 10 grams
  • Fiber: Unknown
  • Protein: 42 grams
  • Cholesterol: Unknown

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