If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate comfort food accent, look no further than this Easy Chicken Gravy. Ready in minutes with a handful of humble ingredients, this sauce transforms any meal from ordinary to oh-so-special. Rich, creamy, and packed with savory flavor, it’s perfect for pouring over fluffy mashed potatoes, roasted chicken, or even your favorite vegetables. With its silky smooth texture and deep golden hue, this easy recipe will quickly earn a permanent spot in your kitchen repertoire.

Easy Chicken Gravy Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Easy Chicken Gravy is just how straightforward yet purposeful each ingredient is. Every element does the heavy lifting for deeper flavor, smoother texture, and that signature mouthwatering color we all crave from a classic homemade gravy.

Unsalted butter: The base for a perfect roux, giving the gravy richness and a beautiful sheen.
All-purpose flour: Key for thickening your gravy and creating that velvety, lump-free consistency.
Unsalted chicken stock: Brings gentle chicken flavor while letting you control the saltiness to taste.
Chicken base: Adds depth that takes the savoriness up a notch—use your favorite quality brand for best results.
Onion powder: Rounds out the sauce with a mild, sweet-savory note without chopping any onions.
Garlic powder: A little goes a long way in adding robust flavor – this is the secret to a crave-worthy finish.
Paprika: This offers a subtle warmth and a lovely color that makes the gravy pop visually and in taste.
Salt and black pepper: Essential for balancing flavors, taste as you go to get it just right for your palate.
Heavy cream (optional): For those who love extra creaminess and a luxurious mouthfeel, a splash of cream is magic.

How to Make Easy Chicken Gravy

Step 1: Create a Golden Roux

Start by melting your butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and stir continuously, letting the mixture bubble gently for about 3 minutes. The goal is a light golden color, which tells you your roux is perfectly toasted and ready—it smells divine and sets the foundation for thick, flavorful gravy.

Step 2: Whisk in the Chicken Stock

With the roux ready, slowly whisk in your chicken stock, pouring it in a gradual, steady stream. This is where the gravy starts to come together—keep whisking to avoid lumps and ensure everything gets silky smooth. Now’s the time to stir in your chicken base, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Taste and season with salt and black pepper to your liking.

Step 3: Simmer to Perfection

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer while stirring constantly. Pay extra attention to those edges and bottom of the saucepan, scraping as you go to prevent sticking and maximize flavor. The simmering helps marry the flavors, thickening the gravy to that luscious consistency we all love from Easy Chicken Gravy.

Step 4: Adjust Thickness if Needed

If your gravy thickens up a bit too much, simply whisk in a bit more chicken stock—up to half a cup as needed. Remember, Easy Chicken Gravy will continue to thicken as it cools, so err on the side of slightly thinner if you’ll be reheating later or serving buffet style.

Step 5: Finish With Cream (Optional) and Serve

For a richer, creamier version, gently stir in the heavy cream just before removing from the heat. This final touch is optional but adds an extraordinary velvetiness without overpowering the signature flavors. Serve your Easy Chicken Gravy warm and get ready for that first swoon-worthy spoonful!

How to Serve Easy Chicken Gravy

Garnishes

For an eye-catching presentation, sprinkle your gravy with a little fresh cracked black pepper, chopped parsley, or even a pinch of extra paprika. These touches add both flavor and vibrant color, making your dish look as inviting as it tastes.

Side Dishes

Easy Chicken Gravy is the ultimate companion to mashed potatoes, roasted or grilled chicken, turkey, biscuits, and rice. Drizzle it generously over your favorites, and watch as everything it touches becomes irresistible comfort food.

Creative Ways to Present

Looking to take things up a notch? Try serving this gravy in a rustic gravy boat for the holiday table, or ladle it into small ramekins for individual dipping. You can even use it inside savory pies or atop an open-faced sandwich for a true comfort meal upgrade.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Got extra Easy Chicken Gravy? Allow it to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days, making it a breeze to reheat for another round later in the week.

Freezing

Easy Chicken Gravy also freezes beautifully. Simply portion cooled gravy into freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving a little space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating and whisking smooth again.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, gently reheat your gravy in a saucepan over medium-low heat, whisking frequently. Add a splash of broth or water if you need to thin it out—the sauce will return to its luscious, pourable consistency in no time.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought chicken broth instead of stock?

Absolutely! Store-bought chicken broth is a great shortcut. Just reach for unsalted varieties to keep the salt balance in check and adjust seasoning to taste as you make your Easy Chicken Gravy.

What can I use if I don’t have chicken base?

If you’re out of chicken base, swap in a little extra chicken bouillon or leave it out altogether for a milder gravy. The dish will still be delicious but may need a slight boost with salt and pepper.

Is it possible to make this gravy gluten free?

Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a good-quality gluten-free flour blend. Just keep an eye on the consistency; you may want to add the stock more slowly until it’s perfectly thickened.

Can I prepare Easy Chicken Gravy ahead of time?

You sure can. Make the gravy a day ahead, let it cool, then store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, gently reheat on the stovetop, whisking until smooth and warmed through.

Why did my gravy turn lumpy?

Lumps are usually the result of adding cold liquid to a very hot roux or not whisking briskly enough. To prevent this, add your stock a little at a time while whisking constantly, and don’t rush this step! If lumps do appear, a quick blitz with an immersion blender works wonders.

Final Thoughts

There’s something irresistible about homemade Easy Chicken Gravy—the way it brings warmth and richness to every dish, the way it turns a weeknight meal into pure comfort. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and let it become an instant classic in your kitchen too. Happy cooking!

Easy Chicken Gravy Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 25 reviews

Author: Noah
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: About 2 cups 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This easy chicken gravy recipe is a rich and flavorful addition to any meal. Made with simple ingredients, this homemade gravy is perfect for drizzling over mashed potatoes, roasted chicken, or biscuits.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

6 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into 1-Tbsp pieces
6 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 1/2 to 3 cups unsalted chicken stock
1 Tbsp chicken base

Seasonings:

1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional:

3 Tbsp heavy cream

Instructions

Melt Butter: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and cook until lightly golden brown, about 3 minutes.
Add Stock: While whisking, slowly pour in chicken stock. Stir in chicken base, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Season with salt and black pepper.
Simmer: Bring mixture to a light simmer, stirring constantly.
Adjust Consistency: Thin with up to 1/2 cup more broth as needed.
Finish and Serve: Stir in heavy cream if desired for a creamier gravy. Serve warm.

Notes

Adjust the seasoning to suit your taste preferences.
If the gravy is too thick, add more broth to reach the desired consistency.
This gravy can be refrigerated and reheated; thin with a little broth when reheating if necessary.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American