There’s something truly special about walking through the door and being greeted by the comforting aroma of chicken and gravy bubbling gently. It feels like a warm, savory embrace after a long day. This easy recipe has become a viral sensation on Pinterest for all the right reasonsit’s wonderfully cozy, incredibly fast, and truly foolproof. With just 10 minutes of active prep, you can set it to simmer and let the magic happen.
Featuring succulent chicken breasts, aromatic garlic, and a simple yet rich broth-based gravy, this dish is a true pantry hero. You won’t need any obscure ingredients, just a heartwarming, savory sauce that transforms an ordinary Tuesday into a celebratory Sunday dinner. Imagine classic diner-style comfort, but with a lighter, fresher feel. Get ready for all the delicious details below!
I still remember the scent filling my family kitchen after schoolpure bliss by dinnertime. Over the years, I’ve refined this recipe through countless tests, perfecting the balance of flavors and achieving that ideal texture. You’ll especially appreciate my quick trick for a gravy that’s impeccably thick, deeply rich, and pours like liquid velvet.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken and Gravy Recipe
This meal embodies pure comfort in its simplest form. It’s the kind of dish that nourishes your soul and leaves you feeling completely satisfiedplus, it’s incredibly beginner-friendly!
Pantry staples: Chances are, you already have most of what you need right in your kitchenjust grab some fresh chicken and broth!
Quick and practical: Only 10 minutes of hands-on preparation, followed by a gentle simmer that lets the flavors meld to perfection.
Versatile: Serve it generously over creamy mashed potatoes, flaky biscuits, or tender egg noodles. This comforting chicken and gravy pairs beautifully with any cozy side dish!
Light but satisfying: It offers all the luxurious richness of a traditional gravy dish, yet it feels balanced and won’t leave you feeling overly heavy.
Key Ingredients and How They Work Together
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in creating the juiciest chicken and the smoothest, most flavorful gravy imaginable. Let’s explore their magic:
Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal here; they cook quickly and shred effortlessly, yielding that wonderfully soft texture within the gravy.
Seasonings: A thoughtful blend of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and black pepper builds a balanced, incredibly fragrant flavor profile that enhances the dish without overwhelming it.
Butter and flour: These are the essential building blocks for your roux, which is what thickens the gravy. Cooking them together creates a nutty aroma and adds wonderful depth and richness.
Chicken broth: We use broth in two stagesa small splash helps finish cooking the chicken, then the remaining portion becomes the savory, flavorful heart of your homemade gravy.
Pro Tip: For those managing their sodium intake, opt for low-sodium chicken broth. Always taste and adjust your seasonings just before serving.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Chicken and Gravy
Ready to create this comforting meal? Here’s a clear guide to bringing it all together in your kitchen. This recipe requires approximately 10 minutes of prep time and 30-35 minutes of cook time, totaling about 45 minutes.
Season and sear the chicken: In a small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Rub this seasoning blend generously onto both sides of your 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the seasoned chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Pour in 1/4 cup of chicken broth, reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of
Thomas Baker
Chicken and Gravy: A Delicious Comfort Food Recipe
This easy chicken and gravy recipe features tender pan-fried chicken breasts simmered in a rich, homemade chicken gravy. Perfect as comfort food chicken, this dish combines the flavors of roasted chicken with gravy and creamy homemade chicken gravy to create a satisfying meal. Serve it over mashed potatoes or biscuits for a classic southern chicken and gravy experience that’s simple and delicious.
¼ teaspoon Black Pepper plus extra for garnish if desired
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
3½ cup Chicken Broth divided (½ cup to cook the chicken and 3 cups for the gravy)
4 tablespoons Butter
¼ cup All Purpose Flour
Chopped parsley, sliced green onions, chopped chives, sprinkle of paprika, or extra black pepper for garnish optional
Method
Add the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and black pepper to a small bowl. Stir to combine. Season the chicken on both sides with the mix.
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep, skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, but not smoking, add the chicken.
Cook the chicken for 3 minutes.
Turn each piece and cook for 2 minutes until browned.
Carefully, add ½ cup of chicken broth to the chicken. When the broth starts simmering, cover the skillet and lower the heat to medium-low.
Cook the chicken for 8-12 minutes or until cooked through (at least 165°F). Keep the broth at a simmer, raise or lower the heat as needed.
Take the skillet off the heat and remove the chicken. Place it on a rimmed plate or pan and allow it to cool.
There should not be too much liquid left in the skillet. Do not wash or wipe the skillet. Place it back over medium heat and add the butter.
When the butter is melted and foamy, add the flour. Stir well to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring almost constantly.
Slowly add the chicken broth to the butter and flour mixture while briskly stirring. Continue stirring until the chicken gravy is smooth.
When the liquid starts to simmer, lower the heat to medium-low, cover and cook for approximately 8 minutes. Stir occasionally and keep at a simmer.
Meanwhile, shred the cooled chicken using two forks and add any juices collected on the plate to the gravy.
Add the shredded chicken to the gravy and stir to combine. Cook for 5 minutes on medium-low heat to let flavors combine.
Taste and add salt if needed.
Serve the chicken in gravy with mashed potatoes or your favorite side dish and garnish with chopped herbs and a pinch of black pepper, if desired.
Notes
The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken breast. Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F at its thickest part. Use low-sodium chicken broth if sensitive to salt and adjust seasoning as needed. Serving suggestions include mashed potatoes, biscuits, egg noodles, or open face on a slice of white bread.
With a passion for wholesome cooking inspired by family traditions, I create healthy, simple recipes focused on sourdough, shrimp, chicken, and balanced meals for everyday wellness.
Every recipe here is tested in my kitchen using U.S. measurements and easy-to-find ingredients, so you can cook confidently.
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