If you are craving a comforting, rich, and soul-warming meal, this Homestyle Chicken and Gravy Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a classic dish that wraps tender chicken in a luscious, creamy gravy with just the right balance of seasoning. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this recipe brings that nostalgic cafeteria flavor right into your kitchen, making every bite feel like a warm hug from home. Whether you’re serving family or friends, it’s sure to become a beloved go-to dish that everyone will ask for again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple, straightforward, and entirely approachable, but each one plays a crucial role in building the beautiful depth of flavor and satisfying texture that defines this Homestyle Chicken and Gravy Recipe.
- Chicken breasts: Using thinner or split breasts ensures quick, even cooking while staying juicy inside.
- Olive oil: Helps achieve a beautiful sear on the chicken for added flavor and texture.
- Kosher salt & black pepper: Essential seasonings that elevate the natural taste of the chicken and gravy.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps form the base of the gravy with a silky finish.
- Chicken base (Better Than Bouillon recommended): Intensifies the savory chicken flavor without adding extra salt.
- All-purpose flour: The thickening agent that brings the gravy to that perfect creamy consistency.
- Onion powder & garlic powder: Provide warm, savory notes that bring the gravy’s flavor to life.
- Chicken stock: The heart of the gravy’s liquid base, imparting authentic poultry flavor.
- Water: Balances the stock and adjusts the gravy’s body to your liking.
- Heavy cream (optional): For added silkiness and a touch of luxurious creaminess.
How to Make Homestyle Chicken and Gravy Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the flour mixture
Start by combining the all-purpose flour, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Mix everything well to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed. This seasoned flour mixture is key to giving your gravy a full-bodied flavor and a perfect texture when it turns into the roux.
Step 2: Season and cook the chicken
Lightly season the chicken breasts with kosher salt and black pepper on both sides. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the chicken breasts. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature hits 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This searing locks in the juices and creates a lovely browned crust that adds so much flavor to your gravy later. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Make the gravy base
Reduce the heat to medium-low and add butter to the same skillet. Then stir in the chicken base until it melts and combines with the butter. This mixture forms a rich, flavorful foundation for your gravy, harnessing all the tasty bits left behind from cooking the chicken.
Step 4: Form the roux
Sprinkle the prepared flour mixture over the melted butter and chicken base in the skillet. Stir continuously to create a roux, cooking it for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. This step brings a nutty aroma and thickens the future gravy, giving it that satisfying body.
Step 5: Build the gravy
Slowly pour in the chicken stock while scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet—those are pure flavor gold! Add water and whisk the mixture until it is smooth and free of lumps. Let the gravy simmer gently until it thickens to your preferred consistency, stirring occasionally to keep everything perfectly combined.
Step 6: Add cream and chicken back in
If you love creamy gravies, now’s the time to stir in the heavy cream. This will elevate the texture and add a luscious richness. Next, you can shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces or leave the breasts whole, then add them back into the skillet along with any accumulated chicken juices. Let everything simmer together for a few minutes to allow the flavors to totally meld.
Step 7: Final tasting and serving
Always taste your gravy and adjust the seasoning if necessary—sometimes a touch more salt or pepper makes all the difference. Serve your Homestyle Chicken and Gravy Recipe steaming hot over fluffy mashed potatoes or a bed of fluffy rice. This classic comfort food pairs beautifully with simple sides, making for a meal that’s effortlessly delicious.
How to Serve Homestyle Chicken and Gravy Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or chives adds a lovely pop of color and freshness. If you want an extra hint of flavor, a few cracks of freshly ground black pepper or a light dusting of smoked paprika works wonders to finish the dish perfectly.
Side Dishes
This dish is hearty on its own, but pairing it with creamy mashed potatoes is a match made in heaven, soaking up every drop of that luscious gravy. For a change of pace, try it alongside buttery rice, roasted vegetables, or even a crisp green salad to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the chicken and gravy over a baked sweet potato or use it as a filling for a savory pot pie. You can also slice the chicken and layer it over buttery biscuits, creating an irresistible open-faced sandwich that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let the chicken and gravy cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, it will stay good for up to 3 days. This is perfect for easy reheated lunches or quick dinners throughout the week.
Freezing
This Homestyle Chicken and Gravy Recipe freezes beautifully. Portion the dish into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving a little room for expansion. It will keep for up to 3 months without losing much of its comforting flavor or texture.
Reheating
When it’s time to enjoy leftovers, gently reheat the gravy and chicken over low heat on the stove, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking or drying out. If it seems too thick, simply add a splash of chicken stock or water to loosen it up. Avoid microwaving if you can, as stovetop warming preserves the gravy’s velvety texture better.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs add a bit more richness and stay tender and juicy. Just adjust cooking time accordingly since thighs are thicker and take a little longer to cook through.
Is the heavy cream necessary?
The heavy cream is optional but highly recommended if you want a richer, silkier gravy. If you prefer a lighter sauce, you can skip it and still have a delicious, flavorful dish.
How do I know when the chicken is cooked perfectly?
The chicken is perfectly cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Using a meat thermometer is the easiest way to ensure it’s safe yet juicy and tender.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch to thicken the gravy. Just be sure to whisk well to avoid lumps, and cook a little longer for the best texture.
What do I do if my gravy has lumps?
Lumps usually happen if the roux isn’t mixed well before adding the liquids. If lumps appear, whisk vigorously or strain the gravy through a fine mesh sieve to get a smooth consistency.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about a dish that feels like a warm embrace, and this Homestyle Chicken and Gravy Recipe delivers exactly that. It’s simple, humble, and requires everyday ingredients, yet it transforms into a comforting feast that makes you feel instantly at home. I can’t wait for you to try it and come back to share how it became a cherished favorite in your kitchen too. Happy cooking!
Print
Homestyle Chicken and Gravy Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Homestyle Chicken and Gravy recipe offers a comforting and rich skillet-cooked meal featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a creamy, flavorful homemade gravy. Perfect for a quick yet hearty dinner, it combines simple pantry ingredients into a classic Southern-style comfort dish that’s ideal served over mashed potatoes or rice.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts, split lengthwise into thinner breasts (or 4 medium/small chicken breasts)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Gravy
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon chicken base (Better Than Bouillon recommended)
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups chicken stock
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup heavy cream (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the flour mixture: In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices and set the mixture aside for later use.
- Season and cook the chicken: Lightly season the chicken breasts on both sides with kosher salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the chicken breasts. Cook for approximately 5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring the chicken is cooked through but still juicy. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the gravy base: Reduce the heat to medium-low and add butter and chicken base to the same skillet. Stir until the butter is melted and the chicken base is fully combined, incorporating all the flavorful browned bits left from the chicken.
- Form the roux: Sprinkle the prepared flour mixture evenly over the melted butter and chicken base in the skillet. Stir continuously and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute to form a roux, which will thicken the gravy and eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Build the gravy: Gradually pour in the chicken stock while scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to add depth of flavor. Add the water and whisk constantly until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. Allow the gravy to simmer gently until it thickens to your preferred consistency.
- Add cream and chicken back in: Stir in the optional heavy cream to enrich the gravy. Shred the cooked chicken or leave it whole according to your preference, then add it back into the skillet along with any accumulated juices. Simmer together for a few minutes to blend and deepen the flavors.
- Final tasting and serving: Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Serve the homestyle chicken and gravy hot, ideally over creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice. For a complete meal, consider adding a side of peas and garlic bread.
Notes
- Use chicken breasts split thinly to ensure even and quick cooking.
- If you prefer a thicker gravy, simmer a little longer or add an extra tablespoon of flour to the roux.
- Heavy cream is optional but adds a rich and creamy texture to the gravy.
- Chicken base (such as Better Than Bouillon) intensifies the chicken flavor more than plain chicken stock.
- This gravy pairs excellently with mashed potatoes, rice, or even buttered noodles.
- Leftover gravy can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently before serving.
