Description
Need a cozy, set-it-and-forget-it meal for busy days? This Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken & Gravy is an easy dinner that simmers into tender chicken wrapped in rich, savory gravy, perfect for simple dinner ideas, quick breakfast or brunch leftovers, or even a hearty healthy snack when you need real comfort food fast, and it’s an easy recipe that fits right into your weeknight food ideas and breakfast ideas—serve it over fluffy mashed potatoes, rice, or biscuits and you’ve got the kind of dinner ideas your family will ask for again and again.
Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 (10.5-ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 packet (1 ounce) dry ranch dressing mix
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried parsley, plus more for garnish if desired
4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
4 cups prepared mashed potatoes, cooked rice, or egg noodles, for serving
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then season both sides with the kosher salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sear the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes per side until lightly golden; transfer the chicken to the bowl of a 6-quart slow cooker. (If you’re short on time, you can skip the searing step and place the seasoned chicken directly into the slow cooker.)
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and dried parsley until smooth, then pour this mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker.
4. Dot the top of the sauce with the pieces of butter, cover the slow cooker, and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is very tender and reaches at least 165°F.
5. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and tent it with foil to keep warm, then add the softened cream cheese and sour cream to the hot gravy in the slow cooker and whisk or stir until mostly melted and combined.
6. If the gravy still seems thin, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl to make a slurry, then stir it into the sauce, cover, and cook on HIGH for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the gravy has thickened and is silky.
7. Return the chicken to the slow cooker, spoon some of the creamy gravy over the top, and switch the slow cooker to WARM for 5 to 10 minutes so the flavors can meld.
8. To serve, spoon about 1 cup of mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles into each bowl, top with a chicken breast and plenty of creamy gravy, and finish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
Wait to add the cream cheese and sour cream until the end of the cooking time; if you add the dairy at the beginning, it can separate in the slow cooker and your gravy will turn grainy instead of smooth and silky.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with gravy over 1 cup mashed potatoes (approximate)
- Calories: 930
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 1550
- Fat: 48
- Saturated Fat: 21
- Unsaturated Fat: 25
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 45
- Cholesterol: 230
Keywords: slow cooker creamy chicken and gravy, crockpot chicken, easy dinner, comfort food, dinner ideas, family dinner