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The Comfort of Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
If you’re in the mood for a comforting and hearty dinner, then this Crockpot Chicken and Gravy recipe is just the ticket. Picture this: tender chicken, cooked slowly until it’s juicy and delicious, smothered in a rich and flavoursome gravy. It’s the perfect match for a side of rice or potatoes, making for a satisfying meal that’ll warm you from the inside out.
Crockpot meals are a hit in my home, and for good reason. They’re incredibly tasty, packed with flavor, and above all, easy to make. If you’re a fan of chicken dinners, you might also want to try my Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken, Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken with Pasta, or Crockpot Tuscan Chicken.
Ingredients and Preparation
This recipe is heartwarmingly simple. The ingredients list is short and sweet, and you may already have most of them at home. You’ll need chicken broth as a gravy base, cream of chicken soup (store-bought or homemade), a blend of chicken seasonings to enhance the flavor, chicken gravy mix for that rich, savory gravy, and boneless, skinless chicken breasts to soak up all that tasty gravy.
As for preparation, it’s as simple as combining your chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, seasoning, and gravy mix in a large crockpot. Add the chicken breasts and set it to low. Let it cook slowly and steadily for 5-6 hours, or if you’re in a hurry, you can cook it on high for 3-4 hours. Once the chicken is cooked to perfection, shred or cut it into pieces, and place it back into the crockpot. And there you have it, serve your chicken over rice or potatoes and dig in!
Frozen Chicken Breasts? No Problem!
Got frozen chicken breasts instead of fresh ones? No worries. You can still use them, just adjust the cooking time to 6-7 hours on low heat or 4-5 hours on high heat. The key is to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be safe to eat. Checking with a meat thermometer can help. Remember, the cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the frozen chicken breasts.
Tips, Tricks, and Storage
You can mix it up with different herbs and spices, or make the gravy creamier by adding cream cheese, sour cream, or heavy cream while cooking. For more flavors, add sautéed onions and garlic or even sliced mushrooms. And why not toss in some vegetables like carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, or green beans?
To store leftovers, cool the chicken and gravy, then store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge. If you want to freeze them, use freezer-safe containers or bags and label them with the date. They’ll keep for 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then heat in a microwave, on the stovetop, or in the oven until warmed through.
As for side dishes, this dish pairs well with a variety of options. You could opt for rolls, mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, or even a fresh salad. The possibilities are endless!
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