There's something undeniably satisfying about a tender, juicy chicken smothered in rich, homemade gravy. This chicken recipe is pure comfort food-simple ingredients, flavorful, and always hits the spot.

shredded chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes

Whether you're hosting a dinner or just craving a hearty meal, chicken and gravy is a family favorite that never disappoints. I love how versatile this gravy recipe is too. You can make this easy recipe with any cut of chicken-breasts, thighs, or even a whole roasted chicken.

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Ingredients
Instructions
Tips and Tricks
Variations
Serving Suggestions
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There are countless ways to tweak the seasoning or gravy to suit your taste. You can add fresh herbs, dried herbs, add some wine or add a dollop of sour cream for some tanginess or heavy cream for a creamy gravy. Nothing beats the warmth of a home-cooked chicken dish covered in rich, velvety gravy.

So there are many ways to make a good chicken and gravy. For us, I tend to stay away from store bought gravy packets and the cream of chicken soup just so I can control the amount of sodium and keep out any other additives. But I would never knock down some good store bought shortcuts. For this recipe, they just aren't needed (well the chicken broth is a shortcut! so never mind on that ... ).

Ingredients

chicken tenders, butter, broth, salt and pepper on the counter

Chicken - Now you can use whatever cut of chicken you like. I think chicken thighs have the best flavor and don't get overcooked and tough, but the rest of my household prefers white meat. I usually use skinless chicken breasts or tenders. Any cut of chicken will work, and you could even use a store bought rotisserie chicken or some leftover chicken for a really easy dinner on a busy weeknight. Just skip the steps in the instructions about cooking the chicken and move on to making the gravy.

Butter - I always use unsalted butter, so I know how much salt is going into the recipe. I avoid olive oil because it doesn't give the same richness butter has, and I prefer the taste of butter for this recipe.

Salt & Black Pepper - A must for seasoning the chicken and gravy. I use coarse Kosher salt for all my recipes, so you may need to adjust the seasoning based on the salt you choose.

Sweet Paprika - I love adding paprika to the chicken before cooking to give it a little color, and amazing flavor. Be sure it's sweet paprika, not smoked or spicy.

All Purpose Flour - A must in order to thicken the gravy!

Chicken Broth - Chicken broth or chicken stock will both work.

Thyme - Fresh thyme gives a wonderful earthy, lemony flavor to the finished dish. If you'ra not a fan of thyme you can leave it out and the gravy will still be delicious.

Sour Cream - An optional ingredient, you may think it's weird but the acid in the sour cream balances all the rich goodness of the gravy. It gives it a pleasant tangy flavor and without it, the gravy seems a little bland.

Instructions

Start by seasoning the chicken with paprika, salt and pepper. Melt some butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add the chicken. Cook about 10 minutes flipping the chicken halfway, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F. Here's my favorite meat thermometer if you need one!

seasoning the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika

Remove the cooked chicken, and add a couple more tablespoons of butter to the pan. Add some flour, salt and pepper and mix around until all the flour is absorbed.

whisking the flour until absorbed by butter

Add chicken broth slowly while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Turn the heat up to medium-high heat to simmer and thicken the gravy for 2-3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the gravy is the thickness you like. At this point you can add your herbs of choice and them simmer for about 1 - 2 minutes. While you're waiting on the gravy, shred your chicken either by hand or in a stand mixer.

Once your gravy is the consistency you like, turn the heat to low or off. You can add sour cream at this point if you want a little extra flavor.

It's very important to taste you homemade chicken gravy and add any additional salt and pepper to it before serving. If it's too salty you can add more broth. Add the shredded chicken and all the chicken drippings to the gravy and serve over mashed potatoes, egg noodles or rice! Store any leftovers in an airtight container.

Tips and Tricks

Deglaze the Pan - After roasting the chicken, don't forget to deglaze the bottom of the pan with a little bit of broth. This will help loosen up all those delicious brown bits stuck to the bottom, which can be added to your gravy for extra flavor.

Shred Chicken in Mixer - Use a hand held or stand mixer to shred your chicken fast!

Make it Ahead - Both the chicken and gravy can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just reheat and serve when you're ready.

Gravy not Thickening - If your gravy will just not thicken, mix together a cornstarch slurry in a small bowl using 1 tablespoon water and 1 tablespoon cornstarch until the cornstarch is dissolved. Stir into the gravy and turn the heat up to medium high until the gravy is simmering and thickens. Turn down the heat, and continue with the rest of the recipe.

Variations

Herb-Infused Gravy - Add fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage to the gravy for a deeper, more aromatic flavor. You could also add onion powder and garlic powder to the chicken before cooking for added flavor.

Garlic Chicken - Add minced garlic to the pan during the last couple minutes of cooking the chicken for an extra layer of flavor that pairs beautifully with the rich gravy. Be careful not to burn the garlic!

Spicy Twist - If you like a little heat, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the gravy for a spicy kick.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken and gravy pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few ideas to complete your meal:

Creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect base to soak up all that delicious gravy. Try my favorite Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes or pick up your favorite brand at the store for a shortcut.

A simple bed of white rice or wild rice is another excellent option. Buttered egg noodles are a favorite at our house and compliment this chicken well.

Serve with roasted or steamed vegetables like carrots, green beans, or broccoli for a well-rounded meal. Here's my favorite Roasted Broccoli and Carrot recipe. You could even serve it over cauliflower rice.

several bowls of chicken in a brown gravy of mashed potatoes

Chicken and gravy is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for any occasion. With this recipe, you can enjoy tender, flavorful chicken and silky gravy that's sure to impress. Whether you're making it for a cozy dinner at home or feeding a crowd, it's a dish that everyone will love.

If you love this recipe, I would love to know! You can leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you. Also, you could tag a photo on Instagram @hungrywaitress and I'll be sure to share it.

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